Sep 23rd, 2019

Sep 23rd, 2019

Melbourne Storm star Will Chambers is reportedly being shopped around by the club and may be set for a return to rugby union.

Chambers was a surprise late axing in Saturday's 32-0 semi-final thumping of Parramatta at AAMI Park, relegated to the bench in favour of Curtis Scott.

Scott had made just one first-grade appearance since breaking his foot in the Storm's 64-10 Magic Round massacre of the Eels in May. But after impressing for the Sunshine Coast in the Queensland Cup, he was given the nod ahead of Chambers.

Coach Craig Bellamy admitted following the match that he had grappled with the decision all week before electing to start Chambers on the sideline after consultation with the senior playing group.

But it appears there may be more behind the demotion according to veteran rugby league reporter Danny Weidler, who revealed Chambers' time in Melbourne may be at an end.

Melbourne's Origin star Will Chambers (L) was benched for the Eels final. (Getty)

"Some news out of Melbourne, Will Chambers is being shopped around, maybe ending up in Rugby Union," Weidler told Nine's 100% Footy.

"He's got another year on his contract at Melbourne. Melbourne have got a couple of salary cap issues so he may be one to go from the Storm set up."

Chambers got on the field for the final 13 minutes, replacing Suliasi Vunivalu on the right wing, but by that time the game was well and truly over at 26-0.

"We just thought it would improve our performance, it was another big call," Bellamy said of Chambers' late demotion.

"I don't want to get too mushy here but I've coached Will for 12 years and it's not easy to drop a player who has given this club that much good service - he has done some wonderful things for our club.

Will Chambers (AAP)

"But I just thought it was the best thing for our team. Everyone will have an opinion on whether it was or wasn't.

"I had a few sleepless nights making that decision because of our relationship. But to his credit he made it easier on me that he could have, so I appreciate that."

Bellamy was adamant he didn't know how he would arrange his team for next Saturday's preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters.

However, given the Storm's performance, Scott looks set to mark up on Latrell Mitchell.

Chambers and Mitchell have a long history of personal battles, with the Roosters star getting the better of him in their four meetings - in State of Origin and the grand final - last year.

(Nine)

"You just have to be honest, the hardest part for me is that we've had a long relationship and it was hard for him without a doubt," Bellamy said.

"We thought that was the right way to go, we will review that and see if we still think that was the right way to go.

"He's played on the edge with Indigenous teams, we all know what a good centre he is and he came on tonight for Suli on the wing so he covers a couple of positions for us as well."

In 2010, Chambers switched to rugby union after signing a 2-year deal with the Queensland Reds.

He had a brief stint with Irish outfit Munster in 2012 before returning to the NRL with the Storm.

-with AAP