Sydney Roosters identify Melbourne Storm’s Brandon Smith to replace Boyd Cordner

It’s shaping as a heavyweight battle with the Sydney Roosters set to go head-to-head with the Melbourne Storm for star forward Brandon Smith.

Brandon Smith is being targeted to replace Boyd Cordner.

The Sydney Roosters have finally identified the player they want to replace champion forward Boyd Cordner – Melbourne Storm dynamo Brandon Smith.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Roosters boss Nick Politis and general manager of football Daniel Anderson have already reached out to Smith’s New Zealand-based agent, Stan Martin.

Smith will be the hottest player on the NRL open market when he is free to talk to rival clubs from November 1 in what will become a multimillion-dollar battle between super coaches Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson for his signature.

“The Roosters have expressed an interest,” Martin said from across the ditch.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Melbourne Storm forward Brandon Smith is shaping as the most in-demand player on the free agency market. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“We haven’t spoken about money or figures but they’ve indicated that they are very keen to chat come November 1.

“Daniel Anderson and Nick Politis both called me four or five weeks ago. (not long after Cordner announced his retirement.)

“There are four or five other clubs who are interested as well.”

Martin expects the offers to be worth around the $1 million-a-season mark, more than double what he is earning, once negotiations begin.

“As a manager I think he’s worth $1 million a year, but whether he gets that we’ll wait and see,” Martin said.

“At the end of the day it will be Brandon’s decision. Melbourne Storm and the Roosters are two great clubs to be considering.”

There has also been strong interest from the Gold Coast Titans and the Canterbury Bulldogs plus the Redcliffe Dolphins, who are bidding to become the NRL’s 17th team.

The Sydney Roosters have salary cap space to fill since Boyd Cordner’s retirement earlier this year over concussion issues. Picture: Toby Zerna

It’s believed the Roosters would recruit Smith to play a role as a middle forward and hooker option, given they already have lock Victor Radley and No.9 Sam Verrills on their books.

The Roosters rarely miss the mark when chasing the biggest names in the game of the calibre of James Tedesco or five-eighth Luke Keary.

It’s not just their chequebook but the appeal to play under Robinson at Sydney’s glamour club.

Last December, Smith requested a release so he could become a full-time hooker from next season.

Smith has now decided that he will see out the final year of his contract at Storm next season because he is guaranteed a starting spot in the forwards.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy wants to keep Brandon Smith.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has eyes on Smith.

With Dale Finucane joining the Cronulla Sharks, Bellamy would be keen for Smith to be the club’s long-term lock with Harry Grant playing at hooker.

Whatever the case, Smith is determined the contract talks will not affect his football in the build-up to the finals.

“Brandon’s really enjoying his footy and he’s keen to keep this low key at the moment,” Martin said.

“But I’m telling you the truth – there’s a lot of interest out there, not just from the Roosters.”

Smith has played 79 matches for the Storm since debuting in 2017

The Roosters’ position is interesting in that there is talk that front-rower Sio Siua Taukeiaho will be leaving at the end of the season, possibly to play in the UK Super League.

However the club still needs to lock down Angus Crichton and Joey Manu on long-term deals.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters identify Melbourne Storm’s Brandon Smith to replace Boyd Cordner