Melbourne captain Cameron Smith insists he's keen to play on next NRL season after losing Sunday's NRL grand final to the Sydney Roosters.
Smith's future appeared cloudy after refusing to commit to another year after suggesting he could bow out with a premiership on Sunday.
However those dreams were dashed when the Storm went down by three tries at halftime at ANZ Stadium and failed to reel the Roosters in.
The 35-year-old Smith, who is on track to become the first player to crack the 400-game barrier, then addressed his future immediately after the match.
He is currently unsigned, and his experience will be vital for a Storm side that will be without the now-retired Billy Slater next year.
"If I get a contract I will play next year," Smith told the Nine Network post-game.
"It's going to take a few weeks to get over the results, but life goes on and then start planning for next year."
Smith conceded the Storm let themselves down with a poor first half effort, and struggled to find an injured Cooper Cronk in attack.
Cronk was only asked to make eight tackles, missing none.
"We put a game plan together during the week based on him playing, we never ever thought he wasn't going to play," Smith said.
"He did a good job to hide tonight, he was switching sides and getting into positions where we couldn't really get to him."
Smith's future won't be the only contract the Storm will be keen to tie up in the summer, with star five-eighth Cameron Munster also in the sights of rival clubs.
Munster can field offers when he enters his final year of his deal on November 1.
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