Cameron Smith will consider retirement in the coming weeks after the Melbourne Storm missed out on a place in the NRL Grand Final.

The long-serving Storm captain and former Australia star turned 36 in June, and admitted it would be a wrench to give up playing.

Speaking after the Storm fell 14-6 to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday, goal-kicking hooker Smith told his former club and international colleague Billy Slater he would give thought to his future.

Replying to Slater, who asked on Channel 9 whether he would be back next season, Smith said: "Dunno mate, I'll have a think about it over the next few weeks and decide then.

"But I've said all along, particularly over the last two or three seasons, even though I'm getting on a little bit and the end is near, I've been enjoying my football thoroughly.

"I've been playing a bit of a different style of football in the last couple of years, now we've got a lot of younger players and a lot of inexperienced players, and in a way it's given me a new lease of life in footy.

"But [there are] a lot of things to think about. The family's getting a little bit older with the three kids, they're growing up. I've got a lot of things on, a lot of stuff to weigh up."

A tough way to end our year. We’re still so proud of the boys.

Congrats @sydneyroosters #YourStorm pic.twitter.com/qW9csRAhmp

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) September 28, 2019

Smith holds a host of NRL records, including the most goals, most wins and most games as captain of a team.

Slater has moved into racehorse breeding since retiring last year, and Smith joked: "Do you need help with that brood mare business? I'll come down and be your stablehand."