James Tedesco, captain of the Sydney Roosters, has acknowledged that Brandon Smith may not be fulfilling the optimal role at the club, despite expressing a desire for the versatile player to stay. Smith, 28, is reportedly close to signing with South Sydney, and could be released from his current contract ahead of the June 30 transfer deadline. Currently recovering from a significant knee injury, he is expected to return during the latter part of the season.
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, Smith expressed excitement about the possibility of joining the Rabbitohs, although he reflected on a challenging past relationship with coach Wayne Bennett. He noted, “I hope it happens,” regarding his potential deal. Smith admitted feeling remorse for previously committing to the Redcliffe club, indicating he hopes Bennett has moved past it.
Previously a standout player for Melbourne, Smith contributed to the Storm winning the premiership in 2020 and has played all his international matches for New Zealand in the No.9 jersey. However, Cameron Smith, his former teammate and a legendary hooker, has voiced doubts about Brandon’s suitability as a starting hooker, suggesting that his best contributions come from playing at lock or as an impactful interchange player.
Tedesco appears to concur with Cameron Smith’s assessment, acknowledging Smith’s talent in altering the momentum of a match. However, he also highlighted the substantial investment the Roosters have made in Smith, as they committed $900,000 annually since 2023 for him to play as a hooker. This decision led to the departure of promising player Sam Verrills to the Titans, which, in hindsight, has proven to be a misstep.
Smith’s transition into the hooker position has been marred by challenges, including a perceived lack of urgency off the field, evidenced by his candid remarks on the podcast. Despite this, Tedesco defended Smith’s professionalism, describing him as laid-back yet astute in understanding the game. He praised his ability to absorb tactical information and contribute valuable insights during team meetings, suggesting that there’s more to Smith than his light-hearted exterior might indicate.
As the situation unfolds, Tedesco hopes Smith remains with the Roosters rather than moving to their rivals, the Rabbitohs, reinforcing the complexities of player roles and expectations within the competitive NRL landscape.