A breakdown in the negotiations between Cameron Smith and the Gold Coast Titans is likely to see the Australian hooker remain in Melbourne, and could open the door for Robbie Farah to head north in 2010.
Fairfax reports suggest the five-year deal offered to Smith has been withdrawn by Titans boss Michael Searle after the club became frustrated by the handling of the situation by Issac Moses, Smith's new manager.
It's believed the Titans will now focus their attention towards Farah, who is expected to meet with club officials tomorrow.
Searle admits it's been a frustrating process.
"The first phone call I had from his manager was today and it seemed like he wanted to negotiate over the phone," Searle told Fairfax.
"But this wasn't something we wanted to do in a two-minute phone conversation so we withdrew. It's too big a deal for us."
Meanwhile the Storm have put a freeze on all player negotiations while they sweat on the signature of Smith, hoping the 25-year-old accepts the three-year offer they have tabled to him.
