Melbourne’s landmark player trade with Wests Tigers has hit frustrating NRL “roadblocks”, according to Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

Melbourne were looking to do a one-season swap of their promising young hooker Harry Grant for Tigers centre Paul Momirovski.

The concept has been backed by Momirovski’s teammates Benji Marshall and Moses Mbye.

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Storm hooker Harry Grant, in action for Sunshine Coast, is involved in a potential swap deal. Source: News Regional Media

With captain Cameron Smith and feisty Kiwi Brandon Smith ahead of Grant, the Storm wanted to give the 21-year-old, who has played two first grade games, more experience.

They are light on outside backs while the Tigers need more depth at No.9 after the retirement of Robbie Farah and an injury to Jacob Liddle.

Momirovki had visited Melbourne while Grant was also keen to get the deal done, but Bellamy said on Thursday that he was unsure it would happen.

“I’m not quite sure where it is at the moment,” he said.

“It appeared to be a simple thing to me and the two clubs and two players were very happy for it to happen for 12 months, but there’s been a fair few roadblocks put up by the NRL.”

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The deal, which has the blessing of the Rugby League Players’ Association, requires the clubs to terminate the players’ existing contracts and for them to sign 12-month deals with their new clubs identical to those they were on.

However, it has hit a salary cap hurdle with what the players have already been paid this year counting in this year’s cap, with the NRL contracting model not set up to cater for such a loan arrangement.

“It’s a bit frustrating but at the end of the day we’ll keep moving on if it comes to nothing,” Bellamy said.

Marshall stressed a player’s welfare should always come first in negotiations around any swap deal.

“I’ve got no problems with it,” Marshall told foxsports.com.au on Wednesday.

“As long as it’s beneficial to both players and clubs.

“When you’re in a team environment, as leader, you worry about the player’s welfare first.

“For Momirovski, if it’s all good for him and he’s okay with it then we’ll be okay with it.

“I think they’ve both seen an opportunity at both organisations where they can have 12 months of that, and at the end of that 12 months they go back. So why not?”

Paul Momirovski in action for the Tigers. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman) Source: AAP

Mbye echoed Marshall’s sentiments.

“I haven’t seen (Grant) play but I’ve heard he’s a great prospect,” Mbye told foxsports.com.au.

“He’s had a really good apprenticeship behind who he’s playing behind so I have no doubt he’ll be a quality player.

“If it gives the players the best opportunities to live their dreams then, yeah, I don’t see why it’s an issue.

“I guess there’s a larger picture to sort out behind the scenes. It’s out of my pay packet to make those decisions, but I don’t see why it can’t work.”

— with AAP