The Melbourne Storm have announced some significant signing news with Reimis Smith and Jack Howarth committing long-term with the club.
Smith, 24, originally arrived at the Storm via Canterbury ahead of the 2021 season on a two-year deal and he’s now inked a further two-year extension until the end of 2024.
In his first season in purple, Smith played 25 games and scored 14 tries from the right centre position, proving to be one of the competition’s most destructive backs.
Smith’s durability was on show in 2021, missing just the one game due to rest ahead of the finals series.
The strike centre said he wouldn’t want to commit his future anywhere else.
“I’m extremely happy,” Smith said via a statement.
“I’m very grateful to this club and what they’ve done for me so far. I’m looking forward to the future
“I wouldn’t want to be at any other club but the Storm.”
Howarth has committed to an even longer term with the Storm, inking a five-year contract.
According to Fox Sports, the deal is worth near $2.5 million in its entirety, a big show of faith for a 19-year-old that’s yet to make his NRL debut.
Howarth is a former Australian Schoolboys star, and 2022 will be his second year in the Storm’s top 30 squad.
The teenager says he’s looking forward to hopefully playing first-grade this season.
“I love being part of Storm and love living in Melbourne,” Howarth said.
“The coaching staff and the boys are great to be around and are helping me a lot with my footy and life in general.
“It’s a top class environment to be part of.
“Footy wise I’m looking forward to playing a lot more this year and developing my game even more.
“The dream is to wear the purple jersey in the NRL and it’s getting closer but there’s still a lot of work ahead.
“My future is sorted now with a great club for a few more years and I can fully focus in on my footy.”
The Storm open up their 2021 season away to the Wests Tigers in Round 1.