Darren Lockyer has tried to rally support behind the embattled Melbourne Storm, saying it is in "the best interest of the game" that they remain strong.

The Broncos skipper has also singled out Storm coach Craig Bellamy and captain Cameron Smith as the men to help Melbourne bounce back from the salary cap scandal.

But it remains to be seen who is left standing at the club after they unload players in the fallout of Thursday's release of an independent investigation into Melbourne's rorting.

Indeed Lockyer did not shy away from speculation that the door was still open at the Broncos for Storm superstar Greg Inglis - one of Melbourne's "Big Four" along with Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

The Storm investigation, carried out by accounting firm Deloitte and announced by owners News Limited, found the Storm were $3.17 million over the cap since 2006, more than 80 per cent more than originally thought.

Rumours emerged on Friday morning that Melbourne players would not take the field against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday and pull out of their remaining matches this season - but Storm officials have emphatically denied it.

Just before boarding a flight to Auckland, Smith reaffirmed his team's commitment to playing out the season.

"I heard a rumour this morning that we weren't going to be turning up and travelling to New Zealand to play and sitting out the rest of the season, that's never been the case, it hasn't been the case all year," he said.

"We're committed to playing football for our club for the rest of this season, playing for our fans, they're the ones that have stuck behind us the whole time and come out to all of our home matches and even travelled away for us.

"There's no chance that we're going to be boycotting any matches this year, we'll play out the season as best we can."

While he did not condone a boycott, Lockyer could empathise with the Storm players as they tried to get their head around playing out the rest of the season.

"In the best interests of the game you would want to avoid that (boycott)," Lockyer said.

"The bigger picture is, we want to be a national competition and we need to make sure they get through this period.

"And moving forward, that the club down there becomes as strong as can be in the past."

He said the support structure was already there for the Storm to re-emerge as a competition heavyweight.

"All sports bring up different challenges, and this is a big challenge for those boys," Lockyer said.

"But one thing I know, Craig Bellamy will do the best he can to keep those guys together and focused.

"And the leaders that they have there - in particular Cameron Smith - he will do his best to keep the guys together."

Asked if he thought the Storm would ever recover, Lockyer said: "Definitely.

"At the moment there is a bit of pain but beyond this year I think they will re-group and they will recover."

While Lockyer preferred clubs hovering around the "Big Four" to wait for their move until the "dust settled", he was not coy on his thoughts of playing alongside Inglis at the Broncos.

"I think every club would like to get Inglis' signature - the Broncos are no different," said Lockyer who combined with the "Big Four" to help Queensland seal five straight Origins series this year.

"But it needs to be on the right terms.

"And also we need to let them sort everything out there (Melbourne) first, let the dust settle a bit before players become available."

But Lockyer did not think it was inconceivable for the "Big Four" to remain at Melbourne.

"If they are under the cap I don't see any reason why not," he said.

"Now with it all out in the open, if they take pay cuts it will be all transparent, and if those guys fit under the cap then that's fair to me."

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