Melbourne NRL skipper Cameron Smith is hopeful centre Curtis Scott will stay with the Storm after working so hard to win back his starting centre role.

The 22-year-old has been linked with move to grand finalists Canberra, reportedly meeting coach Ricky Stuart.

The Raiders see Scott, part of Melbourne’s 2017 premiership side, as an ideal replacement for Jordan Rapana, who has moved to Japan to play rugby.

Storm management are reportedly open to granting Scott a release from the final two years of his contract if the parties can agree to terms.

But Smith hoped the youngster would stay put, especially given veteran Will Chambers’ departure, also to Japanese rugby.

“I’m not too sure about Curtis’ personal situation at the moment and his thoughts on playing with the Storm next year, but my understanding is that he’s contracted for 2020,” Smith told AAP.

“With Will Chambers now going to Japan, it’s the perfect opportunity for him to cement that spot.

“He (Scott) had his own issues last year with injury which plagued his year unfortunately, but he finished the year as our centre so he should be looking to build on that.”

Scott has been viewed as a future NSW State of Origin player, but a foot fracture limited him to nine first-grade games in 2019.

He also missed the World Cup 9s after re-injuring the foot playing for the Prime Minister’s XIII match in Fiji.