'Not really up to me': Brandon Smith opens up on South Sydney move as 'blunt' Wayne Bennett chat revealed
Updated . First published at
Brandon Smith's move to South Sydney is officially done, bringing an end to his tenure at the Sydney Roosters and entering another chapter to the 'Book of Feuds'.
9News Sydney's Danny Weidler first reported that Smith will join the Bunnies for the next two years, with an announcement from the club coming on Wednesday afternoon.
The 28-year-old will wear the red and green for the 2026 and 2027 campaigns.
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"Brandon has a wonderful record of success in the NRL and at international level," head of recruitment Mark Ellison said in a statement.
"He improves the players around him and gives 100 per cent every time he steps on the field, and is a great character off the field.
"Wayne [Bennett] has a high opinion of Brandon and they will have the opportunity to work together here at South Sydney. We're delighted to have signed an international-calibre player with a history of premiership success such as Brandon.
"We wish him the best of luck for the remainder of his time at his current club."
Brandon Smith is heading to Redfern. Getty
Smith has a previous relationship with Wayne Bennett from their time together in Kiwis camp, while the larrikin almost joined the Dolphins before they entered the competition.
Smith joined the Chooks in 2023 on a big-money contract, but has failed to live up to expectations due to both injury and form concerns.
He remains sidelined with an ACL injury, with his expected return pencilled in for June.
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Speaking for the first time since the news, Smith shut down certain suggestions about his choice of club and also opened up on his conversations with Bennett.
"I feel like people assume that I went to the Bunnies to piss off the Roosters, but that's not really the case," he said on The Bye Round.
"It seemed very convenient and Wayne Bennett actually wanted me, he's got a lot of interest in me. The fact that it's in Sydney, me and my partner don't have to move … the stars just aligned. It's definitely exciting but a bit nerve-wracking at the same time.
Brandon Smith. Getty
"We only had one conversation and it wasn't too long either. He [Bennett] got straight to the point that he wanted me and I didn't deal with him a whole lot. We thought that if I did a lot of the discussions, it would be more of a public thing.
"I've got to applaud the Bunnies for how well they have kept it under wraps. Negotiations have been going on for months and it's only come to light the last two weeks.
"It's been a good process I guess. It's been happening behind closed doors for a while now and obviously everyone pretty much knew, but it's good to have it announced."
A former premiership winner with the Melbourne Storm, question marks still remain over Smith's best position and it remains to be seen where he fits in at Redfern.
Souths offloaded veteran dummy-half Damien Cook at the end of last year, with youngster Peter Mamouzelos filling the vacant No.9 jumper in the early rounds.
Siliva Havili and Jayden Sullivan have been used as utilities in the first two games this year, but neither player is signed with Souths for 2026 and beyond.
Peter Mamouzelos has stepped into the dummy-half role. Getty
"The conversation with Wayne was very blunt," Smith said.
"As far as the conversation went, whatever my role is I'm looking forward to it - whether it be hooker or lock - at this stage of my career, I'm just looking forward to getting back to playing and getting back to try and help whatever team I'm playing for.
The other burning question for Smith will be whether he sees out the rest of his deal at the Roosters, especially with the switch to their arch-rivals.
At this stage, the enigmatic star doesn't have the answer.
"It's not really up to me," Smith said.
"I'm happy at the Roosters for this year and happy to see out the contract.
"Robbo [Trent Robinson] has been really asking for my input at training and there hasn't been any animosity at the club … but the ball is not really in my court.
"If the Roosters feel like they have an opportunity to let me go and bring a player with more value, that's a discussion they'd have to have with me.
"For now, if they want me to stay, I will stay. At the moment, I'm happy where I'm at."
