Market watch: Brandon Smith joins South Sydney Rabbitohs on two-year deal from Sydney Roosters

Roosters star Brandon Smith has made a call on his NRL future, signing with a rival club on a deal worth close to $1.2 million, while the Rabbitohs open up contract talks with Cody Walker.

Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith has signed a two-year deal with arch rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs

Brandon Smith says he is happy to finish the season at the Sydney Roosters and insists there is no bad blood with his teammates or coach Trent Robinson over his decision to sign with their bitter rivals, South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs on Wednesday afternoon confirmed Smith had signed a two-year deal with the club from next season, recruiting the New Zealand international on an agreement believed to be worth in excess of $1.1 million.

Smith still has the remainder of this year on his contract with the Roosters but there have been suggestions the club could cut him loose early if it worked in their favour.

Smith, who has missed the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery, won’t be agitating for an early release and revealed that he remains on good terms with Robinson and his teammates.

“It’s not really up to me,” Smith told James Graham’s The Bye Round podcast on Wednesday afternoon.

“I am happy at the Roosters for this year - I am happy to see out the contract. I am doing well in my rehab and having a good time at training.

“Robbo has been asking for my input at training and stuff. There hasn’t been any animosity at the club. 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 in that would bring more value to a position that they are probably lacking value in, then that is a discussion that they would have to have with me and I would have with them.

“But for now, if they want me to stay, I’ll stay. If they don’t want me to stay there’s another issue that the Bunnies would have to have the cap space. At the moment I am happy with where I am at.”

Smith’s decision to sign with Souths ends weeks of public flirting between the Roosters rake and the Rabbitohs. Smith revealed the talks between he and Souths began months ago, although he only spoke to Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett on one occasion.

Wayne Bennett missed out on Smith at the Dolphims, but finally has his man. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“I feel like people will half assume I went to the Bunnies to piss off the Roosters,” Smith said.

“That is not really the case. It seemed convenient - Wayne Bennett actually wanted me back. It showed a lot of faith (in me).

“The fact is it is in Sydney and me and my partner don’t have to move. It’s right down the road from where we live at the moment.

“The stars just aligned and to be able to be coached by Wayne Bennett - I have had two amazing coaches in my career in Craig (Bellamy) and Trent, and now I get to go to another amazing coach.

“It is definitely exciting but a bit nerve wracking at the same time. It is going to that new school feeling. Have to turn up and make new friends. Fortunately the rugby league is pretty easy-going.

“A few of the Bunnies boys have reached out already with is awesome.”

Smith admitted the opportunity to be coach by Wayne Bennett was one of the reasons behind his move to South Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

Asked about his discussions with Bennett, who he spurned when the seven-time premiership winner tried to convince him to join the Dolphins, Smith said: “To be honest we only had one conversation. It wasn’t too long either.

“He got straight to the point the he wanted me. I have to applaud the Bunnies for how well they kept it under wraps. It only came to light in the last two weeks when it came to crunch time.

“Which was pretty cool and refreshing compared other the last way I signed a contract.”

On that occasion, Smith traveled the east coast taking to interested clubs before he landed at the Roosters on a three year deal believed to be worth around $2.5 million. You would find it difficult to mount an argument that their marriage has been a success.

Smith has played 41 games for the Roosters but a knee injury crueler him last season and that along with personal issues prevented him finding his best at the club.

The Roosters made it clear that they would not be offering Smith a new deal but he has landed on his feet, albeit at their arch enemies.

“I am (going to be) playing with the team that has had the Book of Feuds with the Rabbitohs for the history of rugby league,” Smith said.

“It is a bit of a weird one. I told (some of my teammates) weeks ago. I think me doing that has softened the blow. Whenever I would say something in a meeting Rads (Victor Radley) would go, ‘thanks Wayne Bennett’.”

Cody Walker is in talks to extend his NRL career. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Smith’s signing comes as the Rabbitohs launch discussions to retain star five-eighth Cody Walker into a remarkable 11th season.

Off-contract at the end of this season, Walker has made it clear in the past that he has an ambition to keep playing, whilever his form and body allow him to, until the age of 38 or 39.

The prospect of Walker fulfilling his goal isn’t without reason with The Daily Telegraph able to reveal that the Rabbitohs management have begun initial talks with the former NSW State of Origin pivot.

Such is the desire to extend Walker by a further 12-months that Bennett has indicated to his recruitment team to refrain from scouting for another five-eighth next season.

In addition to keeping Walker, the Rabbitohs are also cognisant of maintaining an NRL pathway for the hugely talented Jye Gray and Jamie Humphreys.

The retention of Walker would enable the development of the rookie duo with the 214-game NRL player to help mentor the pair.

One of Walker’s greatest supporters has been Bennett - a coach who loves nothing more than to coach footballers who play with instinct and bravery to after the contest, two ingredients that sum up the veteran playmaker best.

Bennett’s belief in Walker was revealed when naming him captain to start the season, in the absence of Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell.

Originally published as Market watch: Brandon Smith joins South Sydney Rabbitohs on two-year deal from Sydney Roosters