Season 2019 was an interesting year for the grand sport of rugby league.
Thanks to former players Denan Kemp (Bloke in a Bar and The Locker Room) and Isaac John (YKTR and YKTR Sports), league officially entered the internet banter era.
We met King Gutho and his signature dance move, Addo Bra, Victor Bra and Tommy Bra, The Goosey, Cam Murray’s sensational looks, and last but certainly not least, Hectic Cheese.
If you were born before the year 1990, you’ve probably stopped reading this by now. Fair enough. But the last of those aforementioned social media sensations deserves a serious plug for what he does on the field and the type of person he appears to be off it.
Of course, I do not know Brandon Smith personally. I most likely never will, but my word he seems like a top bloke. A genuine champion, both with and without the footy.
His performance for the Maori side in last week’s spectacular All Stars event was one of the most scintillating pre-season efforts we’ve seen in quite some time. What made it even more brilliant was the fact he literally broke his own face in the first few minutes before going on to single-handedly win the game in the last 20 minutes. Ooft.
Tough as nails, hard to stop and deceptively crafty. I suppose that’s why they call him hectic cheese after all.
All jokes aside, Brandon Smith is brilliant. The nuggety Storm rake – who doesn’t even get to play his preferred position in club football because another bloke called Smith plays that position and happens to be the greatest player of all time – is an absolute sensation of a footballer.
Give him a sniff close to the line and he’ll probably score. There’s isn’t really a more articulate way to explain it. Give him a sniff anywhere on the field, and he’ll likely exploit it.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
It’s not inconceivable to think that, once the Cameron version of Smith retires, his Kiwi understudy and namesake will soon thereafter take his mantle of best dummy half in the world. You only need to look at his ability when he starts in the nine for NZ and now the Maori side to realise how incredibly gifted he is. It’s no wonder that Harry Grant – another highly rated young dummy half the Storm are hoarding – has asked for a release to play for the Wests Tigers.
Is there a chance Cameron Smith will finish his career in the seven to let Brandon Smith kick-start his NRL career in the nine? Probably not, but having seen enough of both, it’d probably work.
It’s hard to write about Brandon Smith’s character as a human being when you quite literally don’t know him, but having seen him interviewed before and after games, he just seems like an absolute corker of a guy. Is there anything else that really needs to be said?
Watch his speech after the All Stars game (you’ll find it somewhere on social media). Humble, humorous, well spoken and incredibly passionate about his culture. Oh, and he just seems to love the game of rugby league. Indeed, Smith just seems to get what it means to be in a position that so many kids aspire to be in.
That’s enough for me. Brandon Smith should be the face of the game. Make it happen, NRL.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Why would I want a footy card with your picture and stats? The though of eating anything in the same packaging is creepy
Bugo
Guest
Good idea. They should have the face of each player on cards with stats and info on the back, sell packs of these cards with a stick of chewing gum at local shops.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Really good player, hard to stop close to the line with a neat little step. Along with Verills, there's some pretty good young hookers coming up.
Officer59
Guest
Storm supporter mate? There are many more players just as good, if not better than Brandon that should be, could be the face of the game.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Not sure they can retain Harry at the moment as he needs to play NRL this year. Also makes sense now whey Turpin left for Brisbane.
RobT
Roar Rookie
Hectic take. I don't hate it. What I do hate is that the Storm not only have 3 of the 10 best rakes in the game on their books, but seemingly will be able to retain them all and smoothly transition into the future. It's not fair... that they are so good are at managing their squad.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
He's a menace and glad he won't be at Brookie in round one.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Read Suli not Suki.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
How do you think Grant would go on a wing when Suki & Addo- Carr depart at season's end?
kk
Roar Pro
Love your sense of humour, Andrew.
Andrew
Guest
I am born in the 70's. I try not to be an old 40, but I fully acknowledge that sometimes I choose to embrace it as well - I seriously could not name a single Top 40 (if they still have that) song in the last three years. Your first three pars are complete gobbledy goop to me and I now fear for my ability to talk to my son when he becomes a teenage in 10 years...
Albo
Roar Rookie
Brandon Smith is a vital cog in the Storm's performances. He has already become their key impact player off the bench, and I would love to see how he goes with a regular 80 minute role. He must be close to getting that. They will miss him greatly in the early rounds of the 2020 competition.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
This is... over the top.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Nooo!!..being the face of NRL usually ends in disaster! Jokes aside, would 100% support Brandon Smith being the face of the game...once his face heals.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Deceptively Krafty
Insider
Roar Rookie
Question, Why doesn’t the NRL look across all the young people who play this sport and somehow use these images as the FACES (instead of face) of Rugby League ? Put em all in a promotion involving players, wouldn’t that be cool and give some back, dunno just a suggestion that gets the the games biggest asset involved
kk
Roar Pro
Brandon's torque is the equal of his talk. Shirks nothing, always looking for more.
max power
Guest
good player but you are getting carried away
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how they fit Brandon Smith and Harry Grant in the same side.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Oh dear the kiss of death