Melbourne players were unable to sledge Brandon Smith back after their former teammate’s brutally honest assessment of the Storm’s thrashing to Brisbane.
After his long-touted NRL move to the Sydney Roosters for this season, Smith will face off against Melbourne for the third time in 2023 on Friday night.
The 27-year-old was at his cheeky best after the Roosters pipped Cronulla last Saturday night to book a semi-final date with the Storm at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Smith labelled the Storm’s nightmare 26-0 qualifying final loss to the Broncos, their first defeat to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium since 2009, as “putrid”.
“Hopefully they bring that performance again,” Smith told News Corp.
“That would be great. I don’t think they are going to do that.”
Storm star Cameron Munster did his best to bite his tongue when asked about Smith’s jab.
Melbourne twice got the better of Smith’s Roosters when the old rivals faced off against each other during the regular season.
“If we get the win on Friday night, then I’ll give it to him, but if he gets the win over me then I’m sure he’ll give it to me,” Munster said on Monday.
“He (Smith) pretty much says whatever comes to the top of his head, like myself, so we’ll see who has the last laugh on Friday.”
Halfback Jahrome Hughes said Munster had labelled the Storm’s performance “dogs***” in an entertaining byplay between the pair during the interview.
“We were pretty putrid … he’s (Smith) probably right,” Hughes said.
“We were what he said, we weren’t happy with how we played.
“‘Cheese’ (Smith) is always going to say something cheeky so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s texting me soon trying to get under my skin.”
Melbourne hooker Harry Grant could not disagree with Smith’s comments.
“Smith is always pretty honest,” Grant said.
“That’s (putrid) basically what it was.
“It was a very poor performance and he’s (Smith) a character of the game so you don’t want to deter him from speaking the truth.”
steveng
Roar Rookie
You are right "Criag", I'm NOT wrapping the Bunnies at all, I'm their biggest critic, and the way they finished and played from R12 is absolutely shameful and not what a professional side does, but lets put things into perspective here, as you must have a short (don't know if you are a Chook supporter or just making out that you are not? :laughing, as that is what the Chooks supporters do when they don't win, they hide in their coups! Even in 2019 (when the Chooks won the GF) Souths beat them twice in the games during the season and they beat us in Week 1 and ver since 2019 we have beaten them 7 to 5 and thrashed them in 2020 60-8,and in 2021 54-12, which they have never ever done to Souths, and last year we knocked them out in Week 1 of the play offs, yes they knocked us out this year but we knew that Souths collapsed way before from R12 and wouldn't make the 8. Next year is a new year and don't write the Bunnies out, that is all I will say now :laughing: .
criag
Roar Rookie
The NRL is a marathon, not a sprint. Good on Souths for being premiership favourites and in No. 1 spot some time halfway through the season, but it’s where you finish that counts, and the Roosters finished 7th. Sure, they may get beat this weekend with so many players out, but I’m sure the Roosters played some part in beating all those teams on their way to this game! As for next year, you can dream…just like Roosters fans dreamt of ending Souths season they way they did.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes, they have done well with having lots of the good old big AXX luck as Souths collapsed and capitulated :angry: as the Cows and the Eels also did the same to help the Chooks get into the 8, its got nothing to do with their skill, as even as late as R23 they never looked like making the 8. Your Chooks were at best on 11th spot and went down as bad as 14th spot with -100 points difference, anyway good luck as it won’t happen again in 2024 :laughing:
Poss
Roar Rookie
Smith might be a big mouth Steveng & yes we will more than likely lose but don't forget we run onto that field without JWH,Toupie,Joey Manu,Joey Suaalii,Billy Smith,Conner Watson...So whatever happens the boys have come this far & it's a credit to them after the year they have had...And if they do lose personally speaking I couldn't be more prouder of them...Go the Chookies!!!! :stoked: :rugby:
steveng
Roar Rookie
I'm with Cameron Munster's comment on this, and I'll also bite my tongue till Friday night when the Storm will thrash the Chooks, as Smith is a clown and fits right into that Chook culture. One word of advice for the Cheese ““Don't have a go at others what you don't want done unto you” which will happen on Friday night and you will be Swiss cheese. Even in boxing 3rd time down and you're out, as the knockout punch and thrashing is on the cards. :laughing: :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The formula to beat the Roosters is simple. Apply pressure and deny time and space to Sam Walker. Pressure his kicking game and force him to make errors. It is clear that the Roosters fortunes changed with Sam Walker's return. He has provided the spark to light a fire under the faltering fowls. The Storm have to learn a lesson from Campbell Graham's missed tackle on Dam Walker though and be prepared for a last second step to run through a hole in the defence or throw a cut out pass too his winger. If Sam Walker is kept quiet the Roosters 2023 campaign will end with a whimper. And yes Roosters fans. Even I the Roosters lose they will still have had a better season than the Rabbitohs.