Melbourne Storm premiership player Brett Kimmorley has urged the club to re-sign captain Cameron Smith.
Negotiations between the two parties have hit a standstill as Smith's representatives try to bolster the 35-year-old's one-year deal with third party arrangements, which Melbourne are resisting.
Smith is keen to play an 18th season and become the first player to play 400 games in the league.
Kimmorley told Fox Sports the Storm should agree to a deal with Smith as soon as possible or face the ramifications of losing the captain and Billy Slater for the 2019 season.
“He’s been the best player that club’s ever had and probably the best our game’s ever seen and a big reason for their long-term success,” Kimmorley said.
“I don’t expect the club to break the bank but I wouldn’t have thought Cameron would have been going above and beyond either.
“With the service he’s given them and the value of what he gives the club — they need him more than ever without Billy [Slater].
“I would have thought they’d do as much as they could and do it as quickly as they could to get the deal done.”