Will Chambers shapes as a surprise Storm departee as lucrative offers from overseas rugby and Melbourne's precarious salary cap situation cloud the veteran centre's future.
Chambers's shock demotion to Craig Bellamy's bench last week set tongues wagging given his 2020 contract in line with his status as a Queensland Origin representative and three-time grand final winner.
jetwinvip.com understands the Storm have discussed a potential early release for Chambers should he seek a return to rugby union.
Having spent two years in the 15-man game with Queensland Reds and Irish side Munster, Chambers has told Storm officials previously of his desire to finish up in union.
It's understood a big money offer from overseas rugby was recently broached with the 31-year-old, who has little interest in lining up elsewhere in the NRL against the Storm.
Melbourne are happy to have Chambers see out the final year of his deal with the club, and are mindful of pushing him to an early exit given his standing as one of their best servants since debuting in 2007.
But his departure would free up salary cap space with several up-and-comers, led by gun rookie fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, in line for contract upgrades.
As it stands the Storm has not made any official comment on Chambers' future.
Skipper Cameron Smith has been impressed with Chambers' attitude since his demotion and sees no reason why he can't make an impact after being named on the bench again to take on the Roosters.
Bellamy made the shock call to include Curtis Scott ahead of Chambers during the minor premiers' emphatic 32-0 triumph over the Eels on the weekend and the move paid off in spades.
Bellamy explains 'big call' around Chambers switch
Scott attacked with purpose and was especially strong in defence, while Chambers came off the bench for the final 14 minutes of the contest in place of Suliasi Vunivalu to take up a spot on the wing.
"Will was really disappointed to miss out on the starting team and I would be concerned if he wasn't," Smith said on Tuesday.
"To Will's credit he worked really hard during the week and his attitude towards training was great.
"He only played limited minutes, but he did his role and we need him to do it again this week."
Smith said Chambers' versatility when starting on the bench allows the Storm to be more flexible during a match.
Munster says Scott can handle Latrell
"That's the value he adds to our team and why he was on the bench on the weekend," Smith said.
"He covers every position in the outside backs and you can throw him in the middle or in the back row at a pinch."
The Storm mixed things up on Tuesday and Wednesday as they trained on a nearby AFL ground (Collingwood's Holden Centre) to try and replicate the conditions they will face at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night.
Smith said the reason behind the switch was to help them get used to the configuration of the rectangular field on an oval shaped ground.
"Sometimes you can get a little bit lost when you are standing in the middle of our field and you have got so much room outside the boundary of the footy field," Smith noted.
"You lose the sidelines a bit at times, particularly for the kickers just where the sidelines are and where the in-goals are."
Felise Kaufusi and Vunivalu worked away from the main group on Tuesday due to muscle tightness, but the duo are in no doubt to take on the Roosters.
