Melbourne insist they are not behind Billy Slater's shock Queensland resignation, but remain keen to speak with the Storm great about coaching the club beyond Craig Bellamy.
Slater's decision to stand down as Maroons State of Origin mentor stunned the NRL on Friday, especially Queensland players who found out via online reports.
Queensland officials are set to begin a search for Slater's replacement with Cameron Smith, Matt Ballin, Ben Te'o and Anthony Seibold possible options.
But the Storm have shut down the immediate theory Slater may have quit the role to join them full-time before eventually replacing Bellamy in 2028.
"At this point it's too early to look beyond next year for us," Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski told AAP.
"We've been working through what the future looks like with Craig first and foremost.
"And what happens beyond next year is something we will work through in the coming six months.
"But it's too early to be speculating on what 2028 looks like, who will be part of our coaching team and who will be our senior coach."
Slater has an ongoing role as a part-time specialist coach at the Storm, which Rodski confirmed would continue into next season.
Speaking at a charity lunch on Friday before his resignation was announced, Slater indicated he had no interest in a full-time NRL head-coaching role.
Melbourne have Ryan Hinchcliffe, Marc Brentnall and Aaron Bellamy on their full-time staff, but Rodksi suggested Slater would also loom as an option to replace Bellamy.
"Of course Billy is someone the club would be keen to have a discussion with," Rodski said.
"He is a club legend, an NRL great and has obviously been a successful coach in his own right.
"But whether or not he wants to explore that avenue or not is something we still need to sit down and have that discussion with Billy at the right time.
"We're looking forward to Billy remaining involved next year in a specialist coaching role. He adds an enormous amount to the program and our players.
"But we haven't had any discussions beyond that."
Slater had coached the Maroons to three series wins since taking over in 2022, and had insisted before this year's decider it would not be his last game in charge of the Maroons.
Queensland great and Slater's close friend Smith said on Friday night he would consult his family before weighing up whether to make a play for the Maroons top job.
Ballin is highly regarded and shapes as a leading candidate, having served as an assistant since 2023.
Johnathan Thurston and Te'o are also on the staff, while Seibold has previously been a Queensland assistant and could also be an option.
Former Queensland assistant Josh Hannay is also well credentialed and popular among the Maroons squad, but Gold Coast would be unlikely to allow him to juggle that and his Titans job.
Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow indicated on Friday night he felt any of the current assistants could step up.
"They are all pretty special," he said.
"Just the way they handle it and the way they coach, so pretty excited to see who gets the job next.
"Obviously it's pretty sad for us boys, but we're behind Billy and whatever decision he has made."
