Brandon Smith speaks out after bombshell Sydney Roosters release

NRL star Brandon Smith’s time at the Sydney Roosters came to a sudden end on Wednesday in a move that caught him off guard.

Brandon Smith has spoken out in the wake of his immediate release from the Sydney Roosters on Wednesday.

Smith was set to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2026 onwards, however the move was fast-tracked as the Roosters pulled the pin in a move that caught him off guard.

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The former Melbourne Storm hooker spoke about the sudden departure after it was revealed the Rabbitohs would be paying a $180,000 transfer fee in order to pick up Smith immediately.

“Something has happened overnight and my manager rang me this morning and sort of just told me,” Smith said on The Bye Round podcast.

“Everything I’ve read so far, it doesn’t seem like I’m very wanted.

“It’s going to be hard to go into training. It’s going to be a weird feeling. I still have to do that. I’m training with the reserve grade side this week

“Things have been happening in the background but I haven’t been part of the negotiations.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. No one is answering their phone at the moment as well.”

Smith revealed a conversation he had with Roosters coach Trent Robinson who detailed the reason why the club had elected to release him early.

“Robbo rang me. It was a good conversation but he said ‘look, we’re trying to save some money’. But he was pretty surprised about how it came out today,” Smith said.

Smith is off to the Rabbitohs. NRL PHOTOS

Robinson’s remarks that he was surprised by the move didn’t sit well with The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis.

“I can’t work out why Robinson would be surprised because there’s no way the Roosters get rid of Brandon Smith before June 30 without Robinson giving the OK,” Carayannis said on NRL 360.

“The Roosters still believe they can play finals footy this year and Brandon would help them with that.

“You can see the disappointment and even the sense of embarrassment. That was tough to watch and listen to.

“It’s a big call for Trent Robinson not to have input. Nick (Politis) wields the power but I don’t see him releasing someone before June 30 without Robinson’s approval.”

Former Roosters star turned player manager Braith Anasta said Smith appeared to be “blindsided” by the move from the Roosters.

Brandon Smith of the Roosters looks on prior to the round 20 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm at Sydney Cricket Ground on July 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Smith has remained on the sidelines throughout the 2025 season after suffering an ACL injury in 2024.

He’s set to return from injury in around six weeks, at which point he’ll then be a member of a new team.

His three-year deal with the Rabbitohs will now be brought forward.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennet said in March Smith was a “100 per cent” player he wanted in his team.

“I’d love to see him at South Sydney, so hopefully we can get to the negotiating table and get a deal,“ Bennett said.

”He’s just 100 per cent. Like Cam Murray and those players, they just give their absolute best every time they get on the footy field.

“They don’t always get it right, but you know that the one thing they’re doing is just competing for everything and they’re giving their best for the side.”

Originally published as Brandon Smith speaks out after bombshell Sydney Roosters release