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MELBOURNE face a major battle to retain Cameron Smith as the Broncos build a war chest capable of bringing the Queensland and Test skipper home to Brisbane.
Brisbane legend Steve Renouf has urged the club to pay a club-record $1 million a season to entice Smith into Bronco colours by 2015.
The Storm are facing salary cap pressures, with Smith headlining a number of several off-contract players next season, including Ryan Hoffman, Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris.
Smith is the obvious priority, but Melbourne's desire to retain the likes of Hoffman and their emerging stars will influence their ability to compete in a bidding war with NRL suitors.
That opens the door for the Broncos.
No NRL rival can formally approach Smith until November 1, but The Sunday Mail understands the Broncos have the funds to make a legitimate play for the jewel in Melbourne's crown.
The Broncos allowed rising prop Dunamis Lui to join Manly last week, clearing $150,000 under the salary cap.
Veteran halves Peter Wallace and Scott Prince will not be on Brisbane's books next year, freeing up significant cap space.
Prop Ben Hannant faces a six-figure pay cut to secure a new deal with the Broncos in 2015.
With the NRL payment ceiling rising from $5.8 million this year to $6.55 million in 2015, including a $600,000 marquee player allowance, Brisbane are positioned to be serious players on the open market.
Smith has strong ties to Melbourne, but he exclusively told The Sunday Mail in June he would weigh up all offers as he prepares to sign the last contract of his illustrious career.
Renouf launched a stinging attack on Brisbane last week, saying the club's heart had been ripped out, and says signing Smith would instantly transform the Broncos.
"If we can afford $1 million a season, why not pay that for Cam? He would be worth every cent," he said.
"Someone like Cam Smith is a guy the Broncos need and would benefit from.
"Having a leader like him around would be amazing, he is such a great player. He has shown all those qualities down there in Melbourne and they will be doing their darnedest to keep him.
"The Broncos need more leaders. Sam Thaiday and Cozza (Corey Parker) are there, but Cam Smith would be a great captain of the Broncos.
"He has star quality, the corporates would love him, he has a young family and he carries himself really professionally.
"He's exactly what the club needs."
Mindful of poaching threats, Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said the club would start talks with its off-contract players next month.
"All negotiations for all players for season 2015 will be held from October onwards, including Cameron Smith," Ponissi said.
"There are a number of guys we have off-contract, including Ryan Hoffman, Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris.
"As soon as our finals commitments are over, we will try and get as much done. It will be a big month for all those players, not just Cameron."
Former Broncos and Storm chief executive John Ribot hopes Smith stays in Melbourne, but concedes the club faces a fight to retain him.
"I'm a bit torn there but Cam is a one-club man and has been great for the Storm," he said.
"It's a tough one for them, but hopefully the Storm come up with the right package to keep him in Melbourne.
"If you are the Broncos or any club trying to put your club back on the map, Cam Smith is the best starting point.
"Cam has done so much for the place, so it would be a sad day if he left."
Smith, who turned 30 in June, said during this year's Origin series he was weighing up a number of several factors.
"Throughout my whole career, I have stayed loyal to the Storm and I have never come off-contract at Melbourne," he said.
"I have always been tied up, but they understand I have a young family now.
"We'll have to work through it. It will be a lengthy thing ... I will weigh up other offers as well."
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