The Sydney Roosters have confirmed the signing of star Melbourne Storm hooker Brandon Smith on a three-year deal from 2023.
Expansion side the Dolphins were reportedly interested in poaching the Kiwi international but the Roosters beat the new franchise to Smith’s signature.
“We’re excited to announce the signing of Brandon to a three-year arrangement and look forward to welcoming him to the club in 2023,” said the Sydney Roosters’ head of recruitment and junior player development Daniel Anderson on Friday.
Smith will play the 2022 season with the Storm after Melbourne announced they would not release him from the final year of his contract.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The cult hero courted controversy this off-season with comments on the YKTR podcast connecting him to the Roosters in 2023.
“I was just looking at the Roosters jersey as he was saying it and I had goosebumps. I was looking at it going, I want to win a premiership in that jersey,” Smith told the podcast, before releasing the following statement.
“One thing I pride myself on is being myself and regardless of backlash I will continue to do so. That being said I do acknowledge and want to apologise for how some of the comments have been received,” Smith said.
“It was never my intent to disrespect or come across as ungrateful to the club that has done so much for me and my family.
“And that goes for my coaches, members, staff and most of all my teammates. I speak from the heart – for better or worse sometimes – and I’m sorry if anyone was hurt by my words.”
The Auckland-born hooker has played 86 NRL games since making his debut for Melbourne in 2017. He’s also played seven Test matches for the Kiwis, and represented the Maori All Stars on two occasions.
The 2021 Dally M Hooker of the Year also helped the Storm to the 2020 premiership, as well as minor premierships in 2019 and 2021, plus an unsuccessful grand final appearance in 2018.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
And they lost Reynolds, and he should have gotten similar leeway as SM has described that is due the chooks...... Still waiting to see who from the Roosters has to give way to Smith.
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
I asked some in the media how do they have a clue what any player gets. One guy (Might have been Dean Richie) said leaks from agents generally! Do you think an agent would leak a low level? They want to pump up their own tires to show they can get their players the top deals to attract other players to the agency. I'm sure the media doesn't get any info directly from the club or the player! I believe Souths leaked to the media that they offered Angus Crichton X amount but couldn't compete with the roosters. Angus himself said that was absolute rubbish and was more about the rivalry and causing mischief more than anything if it was true. As I've said many times, from the info I know, the dopey guy at the pub would be surprised at the average footballers salary and how many are on minimum wages or close to it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
… and he would have been fourth string 9 when they signed him…
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No doubt they manage and look after their people. And I've always been somewhat impressed with Uncle Nic. However, there is too much questionable to just dismiss.
Malo
Guest
2023 - Premiers - Roosters Clive Churchill Medal- B Smith
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
My understanding from people in the know (take that for what it's worth) is that they really put emphasis on investment education and setting players up for life through pure education and mentoring as part of the sales pitch. Nothing under handed in that but they have great contacts etc. Mark Bouris is passionate about mentoring so are many rich people. Other clubs also do it. They focus on players who understand that the team needs to share the money around many players to maintain a good squad so they can win trophies. They will not get into a bidding war with teams as they don't want a player who is just chasing the money. Latrell was a great example of this...they were willing to make him the highest paid centre in the world but he wanted to play fullback so they took the offer away. (I don't think Latrell was motivated by money only...he genuinely wanted to play fullback and the roosters knew he wasn't going to be happy) I know for a fact the Teddie takes unders as his family is very wealthy anyway. He wanted to leave the Tigers for a chance to win comps and he was a roosters supporter growing up also apparently. But, that's just what I heard from very reliable person (My uncle) who is great friends with a prominent player manager. He doesn't tell me much though.
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
Def...I think that was what I was trying to say.. it's been a long time! It's been amazing that they have had a really solid squad for a good 25 years or so... they keep regenerating the produced players which allows them to go to market to get the X factor player. They also have had a good track record on revitalising careers at a discount rate (Morris x2 /Carney/ Ferguson/ Tetavano going back to Kidwell/Robinson etc...) Once a team can land on a core group of 6 or so players, then it's about timing and succession planning, development, and selection of the right purchases.
Pete
Guest
Anyone who seriously thinks the Roosters are giving Lussick (their 3rd string hooker) over 300k is delusional.
JennyfromPenny
Guest
Bound to score on and off the field with the Roosters.
The Barry
Roar Guru
… you forgot to add “except for Sky, Fox, Alan Jones and Andrew Bolt…”
The Barry
Roar Guru
Another day, another ID hey Jimbo… but same old dum.bo conspiracy nonsense Go to a political site to discuss politics you fukn lightweight tr.oll
Mel Storm
Guest
Actually not a fact @jimmmy, hughes has just re-signed long term and Munster is signed to end of 2023 and has just announced he wants to play out his career for Melbourne. The best players want to play for the best club. Melbourne is the best sports organisation in australia by a country mile. Probably the best in the sputjern hemisphere. Only top euro soccer teams and pro US sports franchises ahead of them, and then only due to the economies of scale. Just learn to live with it Jimmmy!
Poss
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: :thumbup: Well said Slamming Sam!!!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree. I take Grant as well. I think he is the best 9 in the comp. Smith is still in the top fpur or five number nines though. It makes him an A grader imo.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
jimmmy, With respect, 1 A grade 9 and 1 A grade hybrid. If I had to choose one of them for the next 5 years I'd take Grant every time. Does that mean BS isn't super valuable? No, and we'll miss him but that's football.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
D, if he makes the difference between winning and losing he'll play every game, as he should, Melbourne and Bellamy are too professional to hold grudges. The supporters not so much! I hope to get to a few games next season so it will be interesting!
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
DP, accurate or not average supporters like us don't understand the system and how it works. Things like front/back ending means that not everyone is earning peak in the same year. It's like a jigsaw puzzle except in Excel. Doubts? Yes, I've had a few, but I have no smoking gun and don't expect to find one! Cheers
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I don’t think the estimate are even close. The media overshoots by plenty… Do you really think that you can piece together proof of a salary cap breach through public newspaper reports but the salary cap auditors with access to the actual contracts can’t put it together? I’d be interested to see the report that put Adam Keighran, Freddy Lussick et al on 300-350k contracts…
MarkD
Guest
G'day DPS , few extras for the sombrero ,he might only be a winger but Daniel Toupou is rep quality winger who'd be on decent coin and even though Cordner has retired he was signed for another 2 years but I'm sure the medical retirement will be deemed to be a new issue and not something the roosters knew about and exempt from the salary sombrero . Cordner history with concussion , yep definitely a new development. The talk of Sam Verrills making way for Smith will still cost the roosters as he is signed till 2024.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
The estimates may not be 100% but close enough to raise the issue. With the 300-350 k guys I've gone off the news reports at the time that weren't challenged much. At the end of the day I still feel comfortable that it's a pretty valid challenge of the Cap.