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Titans CEO shoots down Smith links

3 minute read

He's been seen training at a local park but Cameron Smith will not be playing in the NRL for Gold Coast in 2021, if CEO Steve Mitchell is to be believed.

CAMERON SMITH of the Storm.
CAMERON SMITH of the Storm. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Cameron Smith may be training by himself at a local footy oval but is not on Gold Coast's radar, according to the NRL club's chief executive.

The Melbourne Storm legend's playing future remains uncertain but speculation he was poised to join the Titans only intensified after the 37-year-old was spotted kicking balls at the home of Gold Coast club Mudgeeraba Redbacks.

The club posted a shot of Smith with an official on their Facebook page on Tuesday, sparking whispers it was a sign he was preparing to confirm his move to the Titans.

If he is coming to Justin Holbrook's team, however, it was news to CEO Steve Mitchell.

"It's never been looked at as an option," Mitchell said when asked about the possibility of signing the former Australian and Queensland captain.

"The media speculation around Cam coming to the club has been a wonderful PR campaign for us. It's media exposure you couldn't buy so I've got to be grateful for that.

"And it's in really good intent. The population, our fan base and the media are very excited about the future for us and that speculation is endearing. We're very grateful."

While Smith's future is uncertain, the Titans put to bed any suggestion they would be quitting the Gold Coast in coming years after announcing a new long-term deal with the Queensland government-owned CBUS Super Stadium.

The partnership means the Titans will continue to play at the Robina venue for at least the next seven years, with Mitchell hopeful of bumper crowds as excitement builds about Holbrook's rising team.

"In those last five games that we won at the tail end of the year, on capacity at the time under the restrictions with COVID, we sold out those games and we still had waiting lines at the back of that," Mitchell said.

"We're looking forward to a really active participation fanbase here on game day.

"And we want to out-cheer our opposition crowds, which historically it probably could have been the reverse."

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