Brandon Smith saga: Penrith Panthers issue statement refuting podcast claims

The fallout from Brandon Smith’s expletive laden podcast has taken a fresh twist with meetings set to decide his playing future.

Brandon Smith issued a public apology to the Melbourne Storm on Tuesday and reiterated his commitment to the club for 2022, but his immediate future remains in doubt as he prepares for key meetings with chair Matt Tripp and coach Craig Bellamy.

Smith used his social media account to issue a statement in which he apologised to coaches, members, staff and teammates who were hurt by his comments at the weekend in a podcast with clothing and media label YKTR.

Remarkably, the saga took another twist late on Tuesday when Penrith issued a statement refuting claims by Smith on the podcast that the Panthers were interested in his services.

The Panthers, who are attempting to retain their hooker Api Koroisau, said at no stage had they expressed interest in bidding for Smith.

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Brandon Smith’s future hangs in the balance. Picture: NRL Photos

“While there would be no ill intent in making the comment, mistruths like this can and do have a tangible impact on our club’s actual business dealings,” Panthers general manager of rugby league Matt Cameron said.

Smith, meanwhile, insisted he was committed to the Storm in 2022. That commitment, however, may not be reciprocated given the backlash to Smith’s comments about the club’s drinking culture.

While chief executive Justin Rodski issued a statement in which he acknowledged Smith’s willingness to play for the club in 2022, sources close to the situation insist fences need to be mended before that can happen.

News Corp understands that is far from a fait accompli that Smith will remain at the Storm in 2022 given the level of anger and antipathy towards the New Zealand Test hooker.

In particular, meetings with Tripp and Bellamy – most likely over the weekend – will decide whether Smith will be given the chance to spend a final season at the Storm.

There are other factors to consider, most notably the salary cap and whether the Roosters would be willing and able to take Smith a year in advance.

Regardless, he still has work to do to convince key figures in Melbourne that he deserves to pull on the purple jumper again. He must also find a way to repair his relationship with his teammates and his reputation with the club’s fans, who have been scathing in their criticism of Smith.

“Recent comments made by Brandon in a podcast, and the way he expressed them, do not align with Storm’s values and the way we operate as a club,” Rodski said

“The statements have deeply offended current and former players, coaches, staff and board

members and the club strongly rejects the comments made about the Storm culture.

“We acknowledge Brandon’s apology made on social media today and his willingness now to

prepare for the 2022 season with Storm.

“Brandon has every right to explore future opportunities as any player would in his position, and ultimately we respect his decision to play football elsewhere from 2023.”

News Corp revealed at the weekend that Smith was on the verge of joining the Roosters, having been wined and dined by the club last week. He also spoke to the Dolphins, North Queensland and the Gold Coast.

While the Storm were disappointed to lose Smith, they were most dismayed by his comments on the YKTR podcast at the weekend.

Statement from Brandon Smith. pic.twitter.com/PQBVlg7BfN

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) November 30, 2021

Smith littered his conversation with YKTR founder Isaac John with colourful and explicit language. He also claimed the Storm had a massive drinking culture.

His comments are now under review and the expectation is that he will be fined by the NRL. Smith issued an apology on Tuesday morning to anyone at the Storm who was hurt by his controversial comments.

“I want to address current media speculation going on around at the moment, and specifically my recent comments on the YKTR sports podcast,” Smith said.

“Over the past two months I’ve read multiple headlines about me day in day out, many of which were untrue and none that came from my mouth directly.

“I done (sic) this podcast for that very reason – to be fully transparent about the process I have been going through. It’s honestly been really exciting throughout and I’m truly grateful to be in the position I’m in.

“One thing I pride myself on is being myself and regardless of backlash I will continue to do so. That being said I do acknowledge and want to apologise for how some of the comments have been received.

“Specifically to the Melbourne Storm, it was never my intent to disrespect or come across as ungrateful to the club that has done so much for me and my family.

“And that goes for my coaches, members, staff and most of all my teammates. I speak from the heart – for better or worse sometimes and I’m sorry if anyone was hurt by my words.

“But at the end of the day they are my words. I specifically also want to address the media honing in on my comments around the Storm culture, and it being framed as a “drinking culture” they have going on down there.

Smith gave thanks to the Storm for their help in developing him into one of the game’s top stars. Picture: AAP

“Our culture is built on hardwork and effort as a main priority. These comments have been taken way out of context and I emplore (sic) anyone interested in the matter to please watch the interview in its entirety before jumping to conclusions.”

Storm officials were of the understanding that they would get one last shot to convince Smith to stay, adding to their frustration with the way his negotiations have been handled. Their disappointment was mirrored at the Dolphins – they were of the belief that Smith had given them his word that he would join the new franchise in 2023.

Smith insisted he was committed to what remained of his future in Melbourne.

“My focus is now fully turned to the future with the Storm and all the amazing opportunities laid before me,” Smith said.

“Whatever happens I will give 100%. It’s all I know. If I’m to be label (sic) a terrible person so be it, if I cuss to (sic) much, I’m sorry but this is me.

PENRITH PANTHERS STATEMENT

Penrith Panthers wishes to address a specific comment made by Melbourne Storm player Brandon Smith which has received mainstream media coverage.
 
Speaking on a podcast episode, Smith identified Panthers as an NRL club that had expressed interest in acquiring his services during recent contract negotiations.
 
The club strongly rejects this assertion.
 
At no stage has Panthers expressed interest in acquiring Smith’s services, and the club has had no contact with the Storm, Smith or his management.
 
“While there would be no ill intent in making the comment, mistruths like this can and do have a tangible impact on our club’s actual business dealings,” Panthers General Manager Rugby League Matt Cameron said.
 
“We felt it important to correct the public record on this occasion.”

STORM STAR IN HOT WATER OVER EXPLETIVE-LADEN PODCAST

By Dean Ritchie

Melbourne star Brandon Smith faces a breach notice, reprimand and heavy fine after an expletive-laden interview landed him in hot water on multiple fronts.

Appearing on the YKTR Podcast, Smith used the word f*** 61 times and c*** three times during the 56-minute episode.

Smith is entering the final year of his Storm contract but is set to join the Sydney Roosters from 2023 after being won over by the club and coach Trent Robinson, despite telling Melbourne they could have the final attempt at securing his signature.

Brandon Smith – AKA The Hectic Cheese.

The interview has caused much angst in league circles as Smith:

– Angered Storm bosses for publicly revealing his desire to win a premiership with the Roosters and strongly hinting his future was at Bondi;

– Used profanities throughout the interview; and

– Spoke openly about the Storm players cultivating a drinking culture to bond, declaring: “F***, we have so many piss ups”.

The Daily Telegraph counted more than 60 profanities during the entire 55min 37sec interview, which drew instant anger from the NRL.

“I’ve asked the Integrity Unit to review the podcast and provide me with a report,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

It is understood Smith could be fined between $5000 and $10,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.

During the interview with former NRL player and YKTR founder, Isaac John, a jovial and relaxed Smith also affectionately referred to his Storm coach, Craig Bellamy, as an “old f***er” as his language became progressively worse.

Podcast host John even dropped the f-bomb 18 times during the interview.

Former NRL player Isaac John on the YKTR Podcast.

While Smith wasn’t wearing an official Storm polo and was effusive in his praise of the club, Bellamy and general manager Frank Ponissi throughout the interview, it hasn’t gone over well in Melbourne or at the NRL.

There have been suggestions the Storm could have released Smith from the final year of his Melbourne deal if not for the uncertainty around Nelson Asofa-Solomona and his Covid vaccination stance, as well as the future of Tui Kamikamica, who police charged with assault last week.

Smith was one of three Storm players, along with Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis, who were seen in a video that appeared to show them in a room with white powder after Melbourne’s loss to Penrith in the preliminary final last month.

Smith was suspended for one game and fined $15,000 for that incident.

The Daily Telegraph’s calls to Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp and the club’s media team went unanswered on Monday, seeking a response to Smith’s allegation that Melbourne had a boozy culture.

The NRL fined Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco $10,000 for drunken behaviour. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

It comes two weeks after the NRL fined Roosters fullback James Tedesco for “drunken and disorderly behaviour” following an allegation he made a racial slur against a woman in Sydney last month.

It was alleged Tedesco said “Squid Game” at the 20-year-old woman — who is of Vietnamese descent — when he walked past her in Bondi on October 20.

Tedesco, however, told the NRL integrity unit he was talking about Squid Game, the popular South Korean Netflix series while walking past the woman.

The NRL did not addressing that allegation when it issued Tedesco a breach notice, instead alleging “he behaved in a drunken and disorderly manner and also brought the game into disrepute”.

Tedesco, who has since announced his engagement, made a written submission to Abdo in the hope, at the least, to have the fine reduced after he co-operated with the game’s investigation.

SMITH’S SWEAR TALLY

Interview duration: 55min 37sec

F***: 61

C***: 3

Total: 64

^ I would walk around (as a kid), snotty nose and piss every c*** off.

^ F***, we have so many piss ups (at Melbourne) and it’s no secret piss-ups f****** build relationships. At the Storm, drinking is a massive part of the culture.

^ My life over the last two years has just gone f****** AWOL. After the grand final, I got like 90,000 followers overnight, it was f*****.

^ As a football player, I want to be remembered as the c*** who went out there and had a go. (The Old Boys say) F*** I love watching you play, you go f****** hard.

^ Remembered as a person? F***. I just want to be f****** known as me, bro.

^ I’m not a guy who is a f****** pretender. I’m not going to talk shit. Just f****** a pretty laid-back dude.

Smith said he enjoyed meeting Roosters coach Trent Robinson and his family.

^ Every f***** second story is about me at a different club. The majority of them are wrong but, f***, it is what it is.

^ We went to Totti’s (restaurant) and it was a f****** mad feed.

^ (Mark Bouris) F***, this guy’s the man.

^ (Trent Robinson’s red wine) This shit don’t hurt the throat whatsoever

^ It was f****** mad to meet, like, his (Robinson) family.”

^ I know rugby league – I’ve eaten, breathed and shit it since I was three. I would wear my boots and shit boots to school.

^ F***, I never got to party or hang out with friends too often (at school)

^ It’s pretty f******…it’s an unreal spot (Waiheke, Auckland) hey.

^ There’s no trick to winning, it’s f****** hard work.

^ F***, it sucks

^ ‘Bellsa’ (Craig Bellamy) is already there (at early morning training) f****** running stairs

^ (Bellamy on rowing machine) You’re like, f***, I’ve got a hard training session today. But you see that and you’re like if that older f***** can do it, I’m going to have to turn up today

^ That’s how it’s been for the last f****** three or four years

^ I’ve got so much shit to improve.

^ It’s like, f***, what? This is my first f****** year (at hooker), I’ve got so much shit to work on

^ It’s pretty f****** nuts.

Brandon Smith is a big fan of Dale Finucane. Picture: Liam Kidston

^ F******, like training and fitness. He (Finucane) is just f****** tapped, bro.

^ I can’t understand how he (Cam Smith) gets all the flak about being a shit person, and all that shit. He is just so f**** ‘on’.

^ I’m like, what the f***.

^ F***, that’s not mentally hard.

^ I’m like, bro, what the f*** is that mentality.

^ This is f****** sick, f*** you. When I got the boots, it was like, f***, this is f****** sick.

^ It’s f****** an honour.

^ I love it because they (the fans) think it’s mad. It’s not like I get a photo with me because I’m famous. You think I’m f****** mad, you think I’m a cool c***.

^ I walked out of that f****** thing (at Redcliffe) and there were cameras everywhere. It was like, f***.

^ At times, when I f****** tired, and that, people are talking to me and I’m not being energetic, I feel like I’m not being me.

^ I hang out with my real mates, we’re all f****** weird dudes. I do weird shit. I can be weird and f****** people think it’s just me.”

^ I listen to Adele and shit before games.

Smith loves to listen to British singer-songwriter Adele before games. Picture: Simon Emmett

^ Otherwise I will f****** blow my gasket.

^ When I was coming off the bench, f***, it was all Raka music.

^ I’m going out there to try and do some f****** damage for 10 minutes.

^ If you’re playing lock, like the way I was, you’re like, f***, you’re a cannonball.

^ I want to be one of those guys that hang out, f******.

^ Youse are f****** cool dudes.

^ Motivated to go f****** make a difference, without pissing in your pocket.

^ You just feel like, f******, I just feel this a family I’d like to be part of.

^ Bro, it’s f****** weird.

^ That could be f****** $4 in a couple of years.

^ Robbo’s got respect, f****** Bellsa’s got respect.

^ They got the f****** recipe.

^ He’s pretty much the reason I’ve made so much money (in crypto) in the last couple of weeks, it’s f*****.

^ A decent amount, f****** TJ.

^ It’s obviously f****** affected a lot of people.

^ F***, that’s (inaudible), I’m going to f****** hate to have to do that.

^ Cameron McInnes and Dale Finucane, two of the hardest f****** working players in the rugby league game.

^ That’s a f***** question.