In a conundrum unlike any other, an international player is looking at being third fiddle in a club format!
Melbourne Storm fan favourite Brandon Smith is currently playing hooker, with captain Cameron Smith out of action due to injury.
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant is also contracted to the Storm, but is currently out on loan from his home club.
Cameron Smith is on a one-year deal with no word on whether he will play on or not. If he plays on, Grant may look to extend the loan at Leichhardt. Brandon, as versatile as they come, will have another season as a ‘Mr Fix It’ player.
If Cam retires? Then the hooker role comes back to an open pool. Grant comes back to Melbourne but Brandon is there, waiting.
So who is the better hooker? Brandon is the better overall player, but Grant is the better 9 by a long shot. He delivers better, is fitter, defensively is strong and can play 80 in the new format. He is an out-and-out dummy half.
Grant should rightfully have his mitts on the purple 9 jersey.
Harry Grant of the Tigers (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
But how do you cut off an international superstar from his favoured position? Well, you just have to in this scenario. Brandon would literally start in 80 per cent of the other sides. In the 2020 All Stars game, he carried the Maori side to victory with two tries, one disallowed try, and over 100 metres from dummy-half.
How do you stop that man from starting for a local side? You don’t.
As mentioned before, he is as versatile as they come. So play him at 13.
Brandon has dummy-half skills, so he can be the middle man, and link from No.9 to the half. He can pass both sides, can hit a lead runner, or be the back-door option. He runs as hard as any 13 in the competition and is safe defensively. He does exert a lot of energy because of how intense he is, but if he can manage this, he is your perfect 13.
So how does Craig Bellamy convince him to make the move? Well, if he leaves, he’ll play for the Titans, Warriors or Bulldogs at best – all bottom-eight teams. He may get his wish as a starting 9, but at what cost? Losing every week and not getting the same audience to admire your skills.
If he stays, he plays 13 for a winning team, shows representative coaches his versatility, and can cement himself as one of the game’s best locks.
He has the passion, the drive and the skill, so he’d be foolish to let a positional preference and emotion stop him playing 80 minutes in a winning side.
I cannot see any current Kiwi who plays dummy-half anywhere near as good as Smith. Who would not pick the best hooker for the country, just because he is playing another position for his club?
Do you think Brad Fittler will question picking Jack Wighton in the centres because he plays five-eighth for the Raiders? Nope.
This move will not diminish Brandon’s representative opportunities, it will enhance them by further improving his skills and development.
C’mon ‘Cheese’, do what is best for your future. Embrace the purple 13 of the Melbourne Storm.
Sebastian Silih
Guest
I agree with the suggestion for Brandon Smith to move to Purple 13 @ the Stormin 2021.
Guy
Guest
My only counter to playing the man ABC commentator Andrew Moore refers to as "The Pocket Battleship" at lock: what happens to Dale Finucane? Do you push him to front-row alongside Jesse Bromwich, with Nelson/Welch on the bench? It's a tough position for the Storm power brokers to be in, but one I'm sure 15 other clubs would kill for!
anthony
Guest
Harry Grant would be on rookie money Brandon's probably not on much more. The rest of the players are on long time deals they signed early and would be worth much more now on the market. The only high paying marquee player is Cam Munster
Walter Black
Guest
The Storm may well know what Cam wants to do next year, its just not in their interests to disclose that to the media. Which ever way it plays out, I am sure that Bellamy et al will have the options mapped out.
Andrew
Roar Pro
With Cameron Smith on $1M a season, how does Melbourne keep 3 number 9’s under the salary cap? Oh that’s right
Harry
Guest
If his playing style is any guide to his personality then I'm not sure that Brandon is the kind of guy who'd go somewhere else rather than stay and fight for his spot...
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Well done, Willie, written like a true Storm fan. So many scenarios, some good, some not so much. Guess we'll have to wait until one, of the four parties, makes a move Personally, I like your solution, but, I'm seeing things through purple glasses, as are you.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
So dump an Origin lock?
Nat
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure it's that easy. Bellamy and Brandon is going to have to make a serious decision soon. Brandon is quoted last year that “I know who I’m behind and that’s why I’m a bit easier about it,” Smith said on Monday... It’s a learning curve. I’m getting to learn anything I can off the big man himself. It’s good for me so I don’t mind at all if I have to wait.” Fair enough because it's the GOAT but should Grant take that role, would he be as comfortable? I don't think Brandon would have to settle for a bottom team if he chose to leave. I reckon there is a dozen clubs who would find cap space for him. To that point, I can't imagine he is being paid open market value. If Grant was to succeed the GOAT, I would put a spine-value contract under his nose. You can't say he's not worth it.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think the roosters would put Friend into a car accident and get a medical retirement exemption for the cap...
Albo
Roar Rookie
He might be happy with the role of "Mr Fixit" at the Storm and that wild Melbourne night life ? But I reckon if we wants to play 9 there , he is third in the pecking order.
Tony
Roar Guru
When you put it that way, it's looking more likely that Brandon goes elsewhere
TJ
Guest
Yeah definitely seems strange to say that it might be better for the Storm if their best player retires. But giving him one more year just doesn't seem worth the risk of losing a guy who will be one of the best players in the game for the next 10 years.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Its amazing that the Storm are so spoiled for choice that some are hoping the GOAT retires. Its not like he is struggling either as he is usually best on field when playing.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I guess the Cam Smith decision for 2021 is a tricky one for him . Does he want to keep playing ? What does he want to do post his playing career ? Does he want to go back to Brisbane ? But he has kids in school in Melbourne ? But what about Covid in Melbourne? His decision is the first thing to be sorted for the Storm. Without Cam Smith playing, I have no doubt that Harry Grant is the best 9 option for them . He is a Cam Smith protege. So what happens to Brandon Smith ? If he is desperate to play 9 he may have to leave. He could play in the "middle third" , but he is not a natural there and he might want to avoid the dreaded "utility" tag and the limited dollars associated with that. A "Mr Fixit" is great for the Club , but not necessarily for the player with ambitions greater than playing " anywhere in first grade". It will be an interesting process involving all three players come next season .
TJ
Guest
There's so many factors at play that could determine how this all works out. I still get the feeling Cam Smith will retire this year which makes life a lot easier for Melbourne. Grant is clearly the better hooker of the two and deserves the 9 jersey. Brandon Smith to 13 and if he doesn't want to play there he'll have to look elsewhere. Sucks to lose a player of his quality but if it means keeping a hold of Grant I think Melbourne are getting the better end of the deal. However if Cam Smith doesn't retire who knows how this plays out. Will Brandon and Harry be happy to spend another year behind Smith? Brandon could still move to 13 with Finucane going into the front row but I can't see Grant playing much of a role while Cam is still around. And if he really wants playing time elsewhere I can't imagine that there would be a shortage of offers. If I was a Melbourne fan I'd be hoping Cam Smith retires as I'd much rather keep Harry around for the next 10 years rather than keep Smith for an extra year.
Chris
Roar Pro
What a problem to have... we are spoiled beyond belief. With Bellamy's history of jigsawing players into any position he needs (Tohu Harris has once or twice started at five-eighth) it's reasonable to believe that Cheese will start at least a game at every position on the pitch in his career. I can see Grant and Smith switching around during a game (Grant being first receiver or coming up with a kick if Munster is unable) depending on the game situation. If they're inside the 20 or in a pressure-cooker, Grant will take the reins and Cheese will bullock through the middle. I can really see them being flexible to whose style will benefit the team.
Tony
Roar Guru
There's some sort of implication there Fark but I'm not sure what it is? :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
There's a number of clubs that would find room for Brandon Smith. Sharks, Dragons, Broncos, Gold Coast, Wests, Manly.................
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Of course they can Willie,they just need to convince the Chooks Accountant to do some moonlighting