Teddy's Brandon Smith admission puts $900k Roosters gamble in spotlight as switch looms

Roosters captain James Tedesco has all but admitted Brandon Smith was brought to the club to play the wrong position, but says he doesn't want the livewire forward to leave prematurely.

Smith, 28, is reportedly on the verge of signing with South Sydney, and could be released from his Chooks contract before the June 30 transfer deadline.

He is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury but would be expected back on the park in the second half of the season.

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He recently told The Bye Round podcast he "hopes it happens" when asked about his pending deal with the Rabbitohs.

"I am stoked (Bunnies coach Wayne Bennett) is interested in me but to be fair we had a pretty rough relationship. I did give him my word I was signing at Redcliffe and we all knew how that ended up," Smith said.

"I felt pretty bad. Hopefully, he has forgiven me for that. I don't know what the go is yet. I hope something happens. It is just not really on me, to be honest. It is more about them."

The Kiwi was a star of the competition when he helped Melbourne win the 2020 premiership, playing as a bench utility and sometimes starting in the front row or at lock for the Storm.

He often played at hooker for the Storm and has played all his 13 Test matches for New Zealand wearing the No.9 jumper.

But Cameron Smith - his former teammate and the best dummy-half the game has ever seen - says his former protege was never a bona fide hooker.

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"He's a very talented footballer, and when you get down to work, he is there to work," Smith told Nine's 100% Footy on Monday.

"He wants the best out of himself and he wants to help all his teammates get the very best out of themselves as well.

"I've said all along I don't think he is a starting hooker. I really don't.

"I think his best position is either 13 or coming off the bench as an impact ruck player.

"The value he gave us playing that role at the Melbourne Storm was incredible.

"When he came on the field and we just needed something like an energy-changing run, or a tackle, just needed an energy lift, he was perfect."

Intriguingly, Roosters skipper Tedesco agreed with that assertion.

"Agree, yeah. Definitely," he said on the panel.

"He can turn a game... hopefully he doesn't go to the Bunnies this year."

Tedesco's comments are interesting given the Roosters have invested $900,000 a year since 2023 in Smith being a hooker.

They let club youngster Sam Verrills go to the Titans and put all their eggs in the Smith basket, but it has backfired badly.

His struggles to adapt to the No.9 role have been compounded by a seemingly lackadaisical attitude off the field, with public comments like the aforementioned podcast likely irking club bosses.

Tedesco says whatever the public perception is, Smith is a professional when it comes to football.

"He's a really laid back sort of guy, he enjoys a laugh... but he's actually very smart, footy smart," Tedesco said.

"He's come in the last few meetings and just gave us some pretty vital info on how he thinks teams are playing.

"He soaks up a lot of information. I know he doesn't portray that, he comes off as a bit of a larrikin, but he's actually quite smart."