MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Cameron Smith of the Storm runs with the ball during the round 23 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park on August 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Cameron Smith could be on the verge of a move to AFL club Hawthorn in an off-field leadership role.

The Storm skipper is widely expected to retire before the 2021 season to allow the Melbourne Storm to move onto the next phase, with the Herald Sun reporting that he could be set to move codes as a whole.

Smith has been contacted by the Hawthorn Football Club in a bid to lure the Storm skipper into a specialised role to mentor the AFL side's young leaders.

Smith would follow fellow Melbourne greats Billy Slater (St Kilda) and Copper Cronk (GWS Giants) in moving to an AFL club post retirement.

The 37-year-old has a close connection to Hawthorn as well, being good mates with Hawthorn star Shaun Burgoyne.

Smith is still yet to announce a decision on whether he will retire or play-on in 2021.