Holbrook: Smith to Gold Coast a 'pearler' of an idea

Titans coach Justin Holbrook says he would "love to" have Cameron Smith at the club next year as interest in the Storm skipper's next move gathers pace.

Steve Renouf wrote a column for pan66.com last week where he weighed up the options the off-contract 37-year-old faced for next season. 

The four-time premiership winner said if Smith left Melbourne the most logical choice would be the Titans where he pointed to the strong club and 2021 list being forged by Justin Holbrook.

He also noted the symmetry of Smith reuniting with his old Maroons coach and current Titans culture chief Mal Meninga.

The Broncos have already put out feelers for Smith with coach Anthony Seibold saying he would consider making an offer and other movers and shakers at Red Hill also pushing the agenda behind the scenes.

The appeal of such a move also had Holbrook smiling when asked what he made of the "Smith to Titans" possibility.  

"I like the idea of it," Holbrook said.

"Thanks to Steve [Renouf] for writing it and obviously [Smith] is the best player to ever play our game and there is a lot of talk around what he is going to do in his future.

"I wouldn't think he would leave Melbourne if I am honest with you but any side would love to have Cameron Smith.

We've got some really good signings coming to our club and it is really exciting

Titans coach Justin Holbrook

"I might have a couple of days off training if I got him to the club because he is pretty good at organising the side. He's a great player and it will be interesting to see what he ends up doing."

Smith's children are attending school on the Gold Coast and his great friend Matt Geyer, who he lived with when he first went to Melbourne, teaches and lives there. The Geyers and Smiths remain close so the switch is not as outlandish as it sounds.

Combine that with the roster the Titans are buiding for next year - with David Fifita, Herman Ese'ese and Tino Fa'suamaleaui – on the way.

The Titans have AJ Brimson, Ash Taylor and Jamal Fogarty locked away for next year in the spine and a hooker of Smith's calibre would ice the cake.

"There is some merit there and a lot of things that will have to happen, including leaving where he is and salary cap ... but it sounds like a good idea," Holbrook said.

"We've got some really good signings coming to our club and it is really exciting about next year but we want to finish this year strongly."

The Gold Coast, who host the Raiders on Saturday, are not expected to see centre Dale Copley (pec) or Rabbitohs-bound forward Jai Arrow (shoulder) for the rest of the season after both were injured in the 30-18 loss to the Sharks.

"Both not great, which we expected. They have both got to see surgeons now after they both had scans," Holbrook said.

The Titans have Young Tonumaipea to fill the breach in the centres while Holbrook said prop Moeaki Fotuaika could well slot in as the long-term replacement for Arrow at lock.