The NRL champions will announce their new leader at a lunch-time press conference, with 2020 vice-captains Dale Finucane and Jesse Bromwich the likely choices.

Cameron Munster put his hand up through the season to take on the captaincy duties while young gun Ryan Papenhuyzen was a surprise choice as skipper in the final round when Melbourne rested the other leaders, but it's unlikely coach Craig Bellamy will look to those two just yet.

"Mr Reliable" Finucane, 29, is a Bellamy favourite while Bromwich has long been the Storm's pack leader although at 31, age may count against him.

A left-field choice could be Queensland Origin forward Christian Welch, who is highly regarded within the club and competition.

Captaining the club for the first time in 2006 as part of a rotation, Smith held the full-time position from 2008.

The 37-year-old still hasn't officially declared his retirement and the Storm wanted to wait until he did so before naming the new captain, but with the season fast approaching they opted to move ahead.

Australian Associated Press