The Melbourne Storm are planning for life without champion captain Cameron Smith in 2021.
Storm GM Frank Ponissi conceded that Smith, who is yet to make an official announcement on his playing future, is unlikely to play for the club this season.
The 37-year-old has been weighing up his next move since the Storm’s Grand Final win over Penrith last year, but it now appears his decorated career in Melbourne could be over.
"Cameron is still deciding what his future holds," Ponissi told SEN Mornings.
"I think there is more chance Cameron won't play than will play next year. He and his family have relocated to south-east Queensland, which we always knew about.
"From our point of view we're planning for life without Cameron. Now If that changes, like last year, you're flexible and change your plans.
"He has earned the right to make the decision. It's a tough decision for him to retire given how well he was playing. He was really enjoying playing as well - he had a fantastic season last year.
"But at the end of the day he is 37 going on to 38 years of age and he is probably thinking about the next stage of his career.
"I'm sure he will make it (a decision) in due course, but in terms of us, it's been no disruption. We've planned life without Cameron. If things change, we'll change it.
"But at the moment it's all going ahead to play Round 1 and a new season without Cameron - which is going to be really strange for all of us.
“It's been 19 seasons where he has been playing and been our captain for most of those seasons."
The Storm are preparing for their Round 1 clash against South Sydney at AAMI Park on March 11.