MELBOURNE Storm has lost centre Maurice Blair to the Gold Coast Titans.

The Herald Sun understands the deal for the 28-year-old is not quite finalised, but the two parties have agreed to terms.

Storm - who would not confirm or deny the departure on Thursday night - wanted to keep Blair but salary cap pressure made the task too difficult.

Although, it is believed the 28-year-old's decision was not purely financial.

The utility is a Queenslander and the move is a homecoming for him. Just this week Blair admitted his heart still resides in the sunshine state.

"I definitely miss Queensland - all my family are up there and my mates," he said.

Storm will miss the centre, who has taken his game to another level this season.

Apart from Melbourne's big loss to the Bulldogs before the bye, Blair has scored at least one try in seven successive games.

It also appears contract talks with skipper Cameron Smith are off the table for now.

Smith is not off contract until the end of next season, but the race for his signature is already heating up with the cashed-up Brisbane Broncos looming.

Storm is keen to begin formal talks with Smith, but the star hooker is in no rush.

The Queensland and Australia captain said he wants to concentrate on his football.

"I just want to get back to the club and make sure I'm playing good footy,'' Smith said.

"We've come off a pretty gruelling Origin series and we need to get the side back on track.

"We're coming off a pretty heavy loss to the Bulldogs and it's an important time for us to concentrate on the end of the season."

Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who has promised to go "all out" to keep him, said Smith would not be pressured to sit down before he is ready.

"The Broncos sound like they're going to go hard after him but he's got another year here with us and, hopefully in that time, we can come up with a deal to keep him here," Bellamy said.

"It would be a nice story to keep him where he started his career.''

Smith and his fellow Origin quartet in Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Ryan Hoffman were back in training on Thursday.

All trained well and look set to play in Sunday's clash against the NZ Warriors in Auckland.

Originally published as Blair leaves; Smith talks on hold