Phil Gould has expressed that a fresh environment could be advantageous for Brandon Smith as the off-contract player nears a departure from the Sydney Roosters. The Bulldogs chairman has also critiqued his former club for some questionable recruitment choices over the past few years.
At 28, Smith was informed earlier this pre-season that his contract would not be renewed, as the Roosters opted to invest heavily in NSW Blues hooker Reece Robson instead. Currently recovering from a long-term knee injury, Smith has garnered interest from South Sydney, who may secure the Kiwi international for the 2026 season or potentially even sooner.
On his show, Six Tackles With Gus, Gould suggested that Smith’s personality was not a good fit for the Roosters but believes that a new team could help him rediscover his form. "I’ve never met Brandon Smith," said Gould. "I just see what everyone else sees on TV. He’s a fun-loving player and a good footballer, but it hasn’t clicked for him at the Roosters." He expressed optimism that Smith may excel in a different setting, particularly if he joins South Sydney under coach Wayne Bennett.
Smith’s unsuccessful tenure at the Roosters has drawn scrutiny to the club’s recruitment strategy, especially following significant roster changes. The departure of players like Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua, alongside the exits of stars like Joseph Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, has highlighted the challenges faced by the team.
Gould indicated that the Roosters’ failure to effectively integrate Smith into their lineup, particularly in the hooker position, has affected the team’s structure. He expressed uncertainty about the rationale behind recruiting Smith when they had capable players like Sam Verrills available, who was let go to accommodate him. "I don’t think he’s a pure hooker," Gould commented.
Furthermore, Gould critiqued the Roosters for clinging to veteran players for too long instead of allowing younger talent to develop. He questioned their decisions to re-sign older players like Michael Jennings and pursue established names such as Chad Townsend and Dane Gagai, suggesting this has hindered their competitive edge.
As the Roosters opened their season with a disappointing 50-14 defeat to the Broncos, they now face another tough challenge against the Panthers. Gould believes that trusting in younger players to both learn from their losses and grow will ultimately be key for the club’s future success.