Cameron Smith is expected to come face to face with Alex McKinnon in the next few days in an effort to clear the air.
The injured NSW forward was scathing in his criticism of the Melbourne, Queensland and Australian captain during a television interview earlier in the month.
Smith was not offered a right of reply on the 60 Minutes program which profiled McKinnon and his battle with a devastating neck injury which has left him in a wheelchair.
Smith has said he would address privately claims he acted improperly in arguing with the on-field referee as McKinnon was carried off and failed to reach out to offer an apology.
Speaking on Sterlo on Fox Sports on Wednesday night, Smith said he expected that to happen soon.
“I think the process is about to begin,” Smith said.
“Clearly, I’d like to speak to Alex and I believe he’d like to speak to me as well.
“I think it’s best for both he and I that we get it done very soon.”
Smith will play his 300th NRL game for Melbourne against Penrith at AAMI Park on Friday with his side desperate to arrest a recent slide.
The Storm have lost four straight and will be without superstar fullback Billy Slater for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury.
Smith pointed to the club’s 2012 campaign in which they lost five on the trot before righting the ship and going on to win the grand final.
“We’ve just been a little bit off,” Smith said.
“We played the Broncos a few weeks ago and I think we had a record amount of repeat sets – something like 12 in the 80 minutes – and we couldn’t get a win.”
Pomski
Guest
I'm sorry if I don't understand I properly but Cam Smith has nothing to be sorry about. He did nothing wrong and was just acting like a captain. He was talking to the ref about how his players on that night didn't get a penalty for lofting tackles made on them. Sorry but Cam Smith didn't break McKinnon's neck and has nothing to apologetic about.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Turbo Yes and no. Yes Alex went on 60 Minutes and no, I dont believe for a second he was aware of the hatchet job they had planned for Cameron
Joe
Roar Rookie
Hopefully sooner rather than later so we can get it out of the way and get on with game.
wo
Guest
was always ambivalent about Cameron Smith,.people talked about his niggle etc ,never bothered me ,just though he was a very good player. The incident on 60 minutes though and then the poor old persecuted me ,closing ranks and now I'll go private to deal with this has made me think ,well great player ,but stubborn and showing a lack of ability to confront a boo boo that he made and reluctance to face it and just admit he got it wrong. When questioned he said about it he says ,I've moved on from it as you could see from last Wednesday night . This is the problem with Smith ,it's all about him .He moved on from it ,like he was the victim. The problem is he is the Australian captain and no matter what justification anyone wants to make about him arguing with the ref over a penalty, after a player has been carried off after an obvious to all there and watching horrific injury ,he got it wrong. He should have apologised immediately to Mckinnon and then publicly apologised as well and this would be over . I can only assume he hasn't because he feels he was justified in his actions,which even as Wayne Bennett said ,he got it wrong on the night . Anyone who doesn't think he got it wrong on the night is kidding themselves. Shame because you can play a thousand games and win a million trophies but this one thing with Mckinnon may now tarnish his carreer. Personally I couldn't care how many trophies he has won ,he'd gain more much more respect by just saying he stuffed up and he was sorry ,courage on the field is one thing ,courage as a human being is another .They don't necessarily go hand in hand .
turbodewd
Guest
Private matter? McKinnon chose to go on to 60 Minutes! I dont begrudge him obtaining some money from this...but this is going on in full public view because McKinnon wants it that way. Smith doesnt.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
It's kind of like a car accident. You can't help but slow down and have a gawk.
The Barry
Roar Guru
This has been done to death. Let it go. The experience has been unnecessarily unpleasant for both men and it's up to them to sort out. Protest: I'm not reading another Alex v Cam story.
AL
Guest
It's a bit late don't you think.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
If it happens then good for the both of them . I just don't need to see it on every news outlet to be finitely dissected and neither does anyone else . UNLESS you are directly related to Alex or Cameron , BUTT THE HELL OUT and let this remain a private matter !