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Cooper Cronk claims Cameron Smith would have no issue playing in the NRL off a four-week pre-season, but Mal Meninga says it won't be at Gold Coast.

Gold Coast figurehead Mal Meninga claims Cameron Smith will not be at the NRL club this year, insisting he has not spoken to the champion hooker.

Smith's future remains of the biggest talking point ahead of the season, with Cooper Cronk adamant Smith would still be a star off a four-week pre-season.

The Titans remain favourites to land the 37-year-old if he does decide to play on, with a sighting of him training at a Gold Coast park this week adding to the speculation.

But Meninga, who overseas the club's recruitment as their head of culture, said there was no chance he would be at the Titans.

"I haven't talked to him, so that means he's not on the radar," Meninga said at Fox League's season launch.

"He had a blue shirt on when he was training with footy boots and some footballs, so everyone assumed he is coming to the Titans.

"But I haven't talked to Cameron. He is the hardest man in the world to get hold of.

"It's all speculation."

Rugby league remains split on whether Smith will go on, as Melbourne, the Titans and Brisbane all plan for season kick-off in three weeks without him.

Smith has not spoken publicly since December, and let the decision over his future drag out through the entire 2020 season and after the grand final.

Cronk though, has no doubt Smith could run out as soon as round one if he is a late addition to a club.

The former No.7 regularly returned late back to Storm pre-seasons with Smith, with the club unbeaten in opening rounds in Smith's career.

"He was in the top five of the Dally M's last year," Cronk told AAP.

"He won a grand final and I have seen him rock up in the middle of January with four weeks notice and be right for round one.

"He is cherry ripe for it."

Fellow hooker and old State of Origin rival Michael Ennis also believed Smith would have no issue gelling into a team's attack at dummy-half at late notice.

"He's so good, he knows the game so well," Ennis said.

"And I just think they would be in awe. He's not a guy who they would question if he should play given another guys has trained there all summer."

But regardless, Smith's old partner-in-crime Cronk said he expected the veteran to hang up the boots rather than go into a 20th season.

"I don't think he plays on," Cronk said.

"He is well entrenched in the Melbourne Storm history. He is arguably the game's greatest contributor in all facets.

"My humble opinion is I think he should enjoy a schooner at the Broadbeach surf club and watch the sunset. Enjoy some family time.

"There is no rule book that says you have to make an announcement or press conference to say you are retiring."