After so much controversy surrounding his move to Bondi, former Storm hooker Brandon Smith has finally arrived at his new home.
The Roosters recruit has spoken for the first time in his new colours and appears to be loving every minute of his latest adventure, saying his move to the Eastern Suburbs has “been really, really good.”
“I’m settling in well. I’m living in Bondi at the moment, I’ve got a good little crew of boys and I’m pretty fortunate that I already knew half the team,” Smith told Roosters media.
“There’s a lot of mateship getting around, a lot of brotherhood. It’s been real good so far.”
As most of us know, playing for the Roosters has many advantages. Living just 600 metres away from North Bondi, Smith is making the most of having one of Australia’s most popular beaches on his doorstep.
“To be able to just go down to the beach and swim pretty much every day has been awesome,” he said.
“It’s been really, really good.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a real Smith chat without a bit of cheek. The 26-year-old who is known for his sense of humour, and being at a new club doesn’t seem to have changed that.
When discussing the gruelling pre-season training with Fox Sports, Smith revealed how he is trying to get “hot and sexy and fit”.
“It’s (pre-season) been really tough,” said Smith.
Brandon Smith. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“I’m getting used to the training with a lot of long-distance stuff. I’m loving it because I try to get hot and sexy and fit for a job.
“Hopefully after another 47 more days, I’ll look good at Bondi Beach with my shirt off. That’s not why I’m getting fit – rugby league is my number one.”
After six seasons with the Storm playing alongside Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes, Smith formed part of a spine that other clubs could only dream of. He now finds himself in a very similar situation, gearing up to wear the number nine jersey as part of another talent-packed spine consisting of James Tedesco, Sam Walker and Luke Keary, after the departure of Sam Verrills to the Titans.
While there are big expectations for these four to all click, he knows there is still a lot of work to be done for it all to click.
“I’m gelling with Sam (Walker) and (Luke) Keary pretty well, but we’ve still got a long way to go until Round 1.”
Smith made headlines for the wrong reasons when he announced his decision to sign with the tricolours on the YKTR podcast in late 2021. The Kiwi International also revealed that he wanted to win a premiership with the Roosters – all before the Storm knew about his plans to depart.
But after many apologies and getting through a mixed 2022 season at Melbourne thanks to injury and suspension, Smith is ready to let his footy do the talking once more. He is happy to finally be at his new club and wearing his new colours.
“It was pretty cool (to pull the jersey on),” said Smith. “I’m just waiting until I can pull on the jersey to go to war first.
“I think that’s when it will really sink in.”
The Roosters will take on Melbourne in Geelong in their opening trial on February 12 so it will be interesting to see if Smith suits up for that game against his old club or waits for their second pre-season fixture against the Sea Eagles in Gosford five days later.
They face the Dolphins in Round 1 on March 5.
criag
Roar Rookie
No, but he was signed way back in 2021 and was signed on the basis of his form two years ago. I’m sure Robinson would’ve expected better than he produced in 2022. But maybe being at hooker he will improve (and it’s Criag).
criag
Roar Rookie
You think I don’t know the competition at the Titans (or the Knights) for best player is not as challenging at the Roosters?? My point was – if you had have paid more attention to what I said in the beginning rather than impugning my opinions bc I made a slight slip, was that Smith, IMO, has reached his potential and Verrills hasn’t. On Smith’s form last year, my opinion is valid. If he plays better this year, I’ll be happy. (And if you want to attack people for not caring about facts when forming their opinions, I look forward to your criticisms of all the Rooster-bashers out there!) :silly:………. Also, I’m down on him bc it’s a long 20 min walk up the hill to my tiny flat from Bondi Beach and he just strolls in and lives 10 mins away! :angry:
criag
Roar Rookie
Well, that is a point! :)
Poss
Roar Rookie
I think Smith will go well..But I was sad to see Sam V. leave he did play some good games last year he will be an asset to the Titans..But as you said time will tell Craig..
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Verrills v Smith Is about the same as Penesini v Manu :thumbup:
mushi
Roar Guru
He has only gotten worse with discipline the past three years. I have some sympathy for the under 25 yo male but he’s shown no desire or inclination to change anything. Hopefully this year he behaves like a human. I’m embarrassed to support a side with him in it. The voice is irrelevant if it only reaches 11 people because one guy is hitting someone in back play. It’s tough to blame leadership when it’s one guy who routinely does it.
ja ja klazo
Guest
It's way too soon to give up on Victor. He's only 24. I totally agree he needs to shelve the big hits and aggression and focus more in on solid defence and then his obvious strengths in attack. What we are really missing is another leading other than Teddy that keeps a clear head during emotional games. That should be Keary. That could be Crichton and that could be Butcher. It would be great to see Manu find more of a voice.
Abbot
Guest
Might be the lighting, might be photoshop, might be the training program…. In the Roosters jersey pic, does the Cheese look more like a sandwich slice than the whole wheel as compared to last year? Different body shape for more fitness and less impact maybe?
Muzz
Guest
I like Verrillis however Smith is a significant upgrade. At his best he's a top liner. Hopefully Robbo helps him perform at a constant level.
mushi
Roar Guru
Agree but my worry is he's been told behind closed doors multiple times to stop it. At some point you've got to accept you can't change him (we need him to almost completely drop the hitting, leave it as a once a game weapon). I think with a top flight 9 we can challenge those guys without a creative 13. That said I'd move Joey to a second 5/8 at 13 to keep him happy (call it a Wally Lewis move to stroke the ego) player swap victor for two young metre grinder middles and cut bait. There's a chance he comes good elsewhere and dominates, but there's also a certainty that he's already cost us finals games.
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
Honestly if he wasn’t such a game-changer when he’s in form and not losing his head he’d already be gone. I really do hope he can keep it together because when he’s playing well Radley is a someone than can take us from good / very good to great and we’ll need that if we are any chance of knocking off the Panthers and Souths / Melbourne to a lesser extent. . No offence intended to Sharks / Eels / Cowboys but I just see the other 3 as the teams with the highest ceiling right now. . Obviously we have other game-breakers who can win with individual brilliance but Radley can add a whole different dimension to our game that makes our whole structure that much more dangerous.
mushi
Roar Guru
We're a puncher chance this year but think we need Radley to improve his discipline or leave. As much as I give souths stick for the teddy knock out we lost that because of Radley, which is a recurring theme. The bigger the game the bigger the chance he soils the bed
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd also say the opinion of his "form" in the hybrid role is framed by expectations of how good he was at hooker previously. He's definitely worse than Harry Grant which means he joins 8 billion other people.
mushi
Roar Guru
He's not in the Radley / Pearce world so I figure he's well below our "no" threshold. He's more in the Maloney sphere without being a coaching pain
mushi
Roar Guru
To be fair there have been games he's been a benefit to the opposition so if the knights only win two games it's possible
mushi
Roar Guru
Craig's a roosters fan I think. To me it comes down to your saying youthink you've got better info than Bellamy, Bennett Robinson and his team mates.
TJ
Guest
I think a lot of people are reading way too much in to Smith's form last season. He trained all pre-season as a forward and was used that way all season. He'll be coming into this season a lot lighter and with a full pre-season at 9 under his belt. Last time that happened he won Dally M hooker of the year. Verrills was definitely improving at the back end of last year and will be a nice addition to the Titan's spine, but Smith is a significant upgrade.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I'm pretty sure the Roosters have improved their roster with the signing of Smith . He adds plenty to their attack & defence. The one query for mine is what happens with him off the field. Hopefully Jake Friend has a word in his ear about the perils of life in Bondi ! And lets hope he isn't flatting with Radley !
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
Agreed Mushi. I'm seeing a lot of it both here and in other places and it just confuses me a bit. Past team & individual success, the fact that the best coaches in the game want him, inidividual accolades, the fact he's still in his physical prime and is allowed to specialise in his preferred position - literrally everything points to this being a solid-at-worst buy and a potentially game-changing one. I'm guessing it's largely down to people generally disliking the Roosters and a bit of ill-will towards Smith based on some his behaviour around the team-change. But who really knows? Either way, there is no real legitimate case to make that Verrils at his best is better than Smith at his most mediocre and that's not even including the injury issues. Fingers crossed he's the missing piece we needed this year!
Albo
Roar Rookie
Particularly whilst playing for the Titans this year ! :laughing: