Canberra Raiders have withdrawn from signing Sandon Smith, leaving North Queensland and Newcastle as contenders.
The Canberra Raiders have reportedly dropped out of the race to sign Sydney Roosters playmaker Sandon Smith.
The half is contracted to the Sydney Roosters for next season, but has been given permission to negotiate his future elsewhere.
That will then be followed by him coming back into the first-choice halves alongside Walker, leaving Smith, who has also spent time at fullback during his NRL career, on the outside of the tri-colours' best 17, looking in.
The playmaker has been linked heavily with the Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights, who he is even understood to have toured at one point, but it now appears that race is dropping to two.