Legend urges Cam to consider pay cut

Paul Gallen has urged Cameron Smith to consider the financial impact of his next NRL contract should he choose to re-sign with the Melbourne Storm.

Smith's future beyond this season remains unclear and if his last contract is anything to go by, then it may not be until well after the 2020 season concludes that we have an understanding of where the Storm legend will be at.

Phil Gould told Nine's 100% Footy on Monday that the 36-year-old needs to be "fair on his club" by giving an indication on his playing future beyond this season.

Gallen said both the Storm and Smith needed to decide on how the club would look if the Queensland hero decided to take up another contract worth close to $1 million.

"I think what Gus was more talking about was the financial impact it will have on the club," Gallen told Wide World of Sports' 2GB radio.

"A question I ask: are Melbourne concerned about signing other players? Harry Grant, who's now at the Tigers — if Smith stays, they can release him and he can stay at the Tigers.

"But I feel they need to sign other players as well, that's not the only position you need to be concerned about.

"…The rumour is he's on around $1 million. That's huge money. That's a marquee player payment.

"Without a doubt Cameron Smith is a marquee player, he's a terrific player, but he's also [soon to be] 37."

The former Cronulla Sharks captain urged Smith to consider taking less money should he decide to keep playing.

Gallen said the 400-gamer will need to be honest with himself and decide if he can "handle" taking on a reduced contract for the next season.

"There's going to come a time where you may have to take a little bit less money. I suppose the question is, is Cameron willing to do that?" he said.

"Is he willing to take $500,000 or $750,000 to play again? When you talk about ability and what Cameron Smith can do on the field and what he means to a club off the field, he can keep playing without a doubt and he means so much to the Storm.

"He could do it for another season without a doubt.

"The question's going to be, can he handle earning less money, which I think he may have to do moving forward."

* This article was originally published here