Brandon Smith’s manager Stan Martin’s slams false Roosters, Dolphins rumour

Brandon Smith’s camp has rubbished a report claiming the NRL’s most in-demand free agent has narrowed down his NRL future to the Dolphins or Roosters.

Brandon Smith is seen during an NRL Melbourne Storm training session at Sunshine Coast Stadium on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Monday, June 29, 2020. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Brandon Smith’s camp has rubbished a report claiming the NRL’s most in-demand free agent has narrowed down his NRL future to the Dolphins or Roosters.

Smith will meet with Roosters coach Trent Robinson before the end of the month for his final club meeting before returning to pre-season with the Storm on December 7.

Smith’s manager Stan Martin blasted rumours Smith had already ruled out offers from the Titans, Cowboys and Storm as baseless speculation.

“Not at all,” Martin said.

“I don’t know where people get this s---. It p----- me off.

“We haven’t discussed anything yet. That will come after Brandon’s meeting with the Roosters but he hasn’t even got to Sydney yet.

“I’m just sick and tired of people speculating. It is cut and dry - Brandon will make his decision after meeting with the Roosters and I’m hoping to have it sorted by December 7 because he’s got to be back at training in Melbourne.

“I’m sure we’ll have it sorted before Christmas.”

The Titans have offered Smith a three-year contract in the vicinity of $800,000 per season but News understands that offer is not the highest Smith has received.

The Dolphins have more salary cap flexibility with the club yet to land a marquee signing to build its inaugural roster around.

The Titans and Dolphins share geographical advantages over North Queensland and Sydney, with Smith’s family recently relocating to Brisbane, where younger brother Jayden attended Wavell State High School.

Brandon Smith meets with Titans officials. Instagram

Smith has strong friendships with Titans marquee players David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who have run a tag-team recruitment campaign to bring the ‘Cheese’ to the Gold Coast since Fifita first signed with the club.

The Titans forwards hope Smith will prove the piece that completes a premiership-calibre spine, with long-term halves and a fullback secured in AJ Brimson, Toby Sexton and Jayden Campbell.

The looming re-signing of Fa’asuamaleaui to an upgraded contract and Fifita’s million-dollar plus salary will create cap headaches should another marquee player join the mix but the Titans confidence in its junior pathway is second-to-none.

Memorandums of understanding with local talent factories Keebra Park, Palm Beach Currumbin, Coombabah, Marsden and Marymount College, and a club recruitment director intimately connected with the New Zealand rugby league pathway, can supply a steady stream of young talent to supplement a top-heavy salary cap.