Brandon Smith has commented publicly on the reports that the Roosters have released him to the Rabbitohs with immediate effect.
Smith was set to join Souths from 2026, but that move has been fast-tracked, and it’s fair to say that it has caught the polarising hooker off guard.
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Smith was typically frank when he spoke on The Bye Round podcaston Wednesday after news broke that the Rabbitohs would be paying the Roosters a transfer fee to acquire him early.
“Something has happened overnight and my manager rang me this morning and sort of just told me,” Smith said.
“Everything I’ve read so far, it doesn’t seem like I’m very wanted.
“It’s going to be hard to go into training. It’s going to be a weird feeling. I still have to do that. I’m training with the reserve grade side this week
“Things have been happening in the background but I haven’t been part of the negotiations.
“It’s not going to happen overnight. No one is answering their phone at the moment as well.”
Smith also revealed that Roosters coach Trent Robinson had contacted him to explain why the Roosters were releasing him early.
“Robbo rang me. It was a good conversation but he said ‘look, we’re trying to save some money’. But he was pretty surprised about how it came out today.” Smith said.
Former Roosters star Braith Anasta said Smith appeared to be “blindsided” by the news and asked the panel if there’s any way Robinson could have been surprised by how the Smith situation unfolded today.
“I can’t work out why Robinson would be surprised because there’s no way the Roosters get rid of Brandon Smith before June 30 without Robinson giving the OK,” Carayannis replied.
“The Roosters still believe they can play finals footy this year and Brandon would help them with that.
“You can see the disappointment and even the sense of embarrassment. That was tough to watch and listen to.
“It’s a big call for Trent Robinson not to have input. Nick (Politis) wields the power but I don’t see him releasing someone before June 30 without Robinson’s approval.”
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Smith hasn’t played a minute this season as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered against the Raiders in 2024.
He’s due to return in six or so weeks, but for now, has been training with the Roosters’ reserve grade side.
It was reported today that the Rabbitohs have claimed that the Roosters have demoted Smith to training with the NSW Cup team for the remainder of the season.
That’s a claim the Roosters deny, but as Smith mentioned on his podcast, he has in fact been training with the ressies.
On NRL360, Hooper pointed to a previous player the Tricolours bumped to reserve grade when he was no longer wanted.
“The last time the Roosters did this, it was Matt Lodge, and that was a player they wanted to immediately push out the door and they wanted him to have no further involvement with the NRL squad,” Hooper said.
“It feels as though there is a few pieces of the puzzle that are missing but how it all shakes out, well I think Brandon will be at Souths before June 30 and that he’s played his last game in a Roosters jersey.”
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