Storm great Smith coy on retirement ahead of NRL Grand Final

Cameron Smith refused to rule out retiring after the NRL Grand Final as Melbourne Storm prepare to defend their title against Sydney Roosters.

Veteran captain Smith is not contracted for 2019 and there are doubts over the 35-year-old great's future beyond Sunday's showdown at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Former Australia international and Queensland representative Smith has played a record 383 NRL Games, won two Grand Finals and as many Dally M Medals since debuting for the Storm in 2002.

Asked about his future, Smith said: "I don't have a contract for next year. I don't know. I worry about this week and preparing well.

"Hopefully helping the team prepare well and go out and play well on the weekend.

"That's all I asked to do for my coaches and team-mates and whatever happens after the year will happen.

"I've said this year several times that I would like to play on next year but at the moment I'm not in that situation."

Storm head coach Craig Bellamy, who will lose club icon Billy Slater to retirement following the final, added: "He knows I want him to play on, but it's up to Cam and his management and our club have to come to some sort of agreement.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Cameron going on is the best thing for our club. I want him to play on and I can't see any reason why he can't go on for another couple of years to be quite honest, but at his age he will go year by year.

"We all know what he has done for the game and our club and the sides he has played for and he is still playing as well as he has ever played. I'd be an idiot if I didn't want him to play on next year."