Storm not giving up on Smith yet
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Cam Smith copped a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Sam Thaiday. (Getty Images: Jonathan Wood, file photo)
The Melbourne Storm could make a last-ditch bid to have captain Cameron Smith available for the NRL grand final if the team qualifies.
The club's football manager says the Storm will make a statement about Smith's case after tonight's preliminary final against the Sharks at the Sydney Football Stadium.
If the Storm win tonight and successfully appeal against Smith's two-match ban, he would be free to play in the grand final.
The chairman of the NRL judiciary would have to decide if the club has a strong enough case to merit a hearing.
Sharks and Australia coach Ricky Stuart said earlier in the week that Smith deserved to be banned for his grapple tackle on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday.
Stuart said last night that the NRL could have eliminated the dangerous tactic from the game three years ago.
He said Smith would not be watching from the stands if the game's administrators had taken a stronger stance.
"We haven't had anyone to put a stamp on it. I'm not talking about the referees or Robert Finch and I'm not talking about David Gallop," he said.
"There's other people in those positions that could have stopped this three years and Cameron Smith wouldn't be in this position."
Stuart said he is not sure who will replace Smith as hooker, with Matt Geyer looming as the most likely candidate.
But he said the Sharks did not expect the Storm's game plan to change.
"We're not expecting their game to change too much because of their nine," he said.
"They've got a very structured game and they're going to be the Melbourne of old for us and that's the way we've prepared.
"They'll be very strong and they've got some great strike and it's up to us to try and nullify that."
Stuart said everyone expected Melbourne to win.
"People wrote us off halfway through the year, didn't think we were going to make the eight, let alone be up with the leaders," he said.
"I'm really proud of the fact the players hung in there.
"They were consistent with their performances right throughout the season and now they've been well rewarded for it and now they've got a terrific opportunity in their football careers."
