Brandon Smith is poised to leave the Roosters imminently, a move described as “interesting” by Phil Gould.
Despite already securing a deal with South Sydney for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, fresh reports suggest he could be donning the Rabbitohs jersey as soon as this week.
This change marks the end of a challenging tenure for the charismatic Kiwi amongst the Roosters.
The Roosters currently sit in 11th place on the NRL ladder, having managed just four wins from their nine matches, with many initially expecting them to struggle and potentially face a wooden spoon situation.
This season has seen the departure of key players like Luke Keary, Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, while Smith and halfback Sam Walker suffered significant knee injuries late last year.
Brandon Smith. Getty
Both players are still sidelined with injuries, which has led the Roosters to field several rookies and fill-ins while managing to secure victories against teams like Penrith and Brisbane in the initial nine rounds.
Gould expressed his confusion over Smith’s potential release, suggesting he could be instrumental in helping the Roosters compete for a finals spot.
“I find that interesting… it certainly benefits South Sydney… but the Roosters are performing adequately,” he remarked during an interview on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.
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“With Sam Walker’s anticipated return, and Brandon Smith potentially back, they still have a chance to make the finals, and having both players available in September would be advantageous for them.
“I’ve never viewed him as a full-time hooker. His skill set doesn’t align with that role. He’s a tough defender and a superb ball runner, but I’ve never seen him as a dummy-half.
“It’s intriguing because I believe the Roosters are on the right path. They are maintaining their momentum, winning enough matches to keep their finals hopes alive.”
This news arrives just a day after winger Dom Young was reportedly given the green light to leave the Roosters immediately.
Smith is currently under a contract worth around $850,000 with the Roosters, and now the Rabbitohs are expected to contribute towards his wages for this season.
The 28-year-old has faced challenges at the Roosters since missing a team meeting in June last year, leading to a breach notice from the club.
His situation further deteriorated when he was sidelined due to an ACL injury later that season, and he has yet to return to the field since.
In March, it was revealed that Smith would join the Rabbitohs on a two-year deal worth $600,000 per season.
This timeline has now been expedited as the Roosters aim to reshape their roster.
This may allow Smith to make his debut for the Rabbitohs as soon as his knee permits.
The Rabbitohs have faced their own struggles recently amidst an injury crisis affecting the squad.
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