Hot mic reveals Brandon Smith called referee a ‘cheating bastard’

Brandon Smith has been referred straight to the judiciary after allegedly using a two-word slur towards the referee that got him sin-binned.

Brandon Smith allegedly abused the ref.

Brandon Smith has been referred straight to the judiciary on a contrary conduct charge after he was sin-binned on Thursday night for a comment he made towards the referee.

A hot mic picked up that Melbourne star Smith called out “cheating bastard” during the Storm’s 28-6 loss to Cronulla.

Whistleblower Adam Gee was of no doubt that it was directed at him and had no hesitation to give Smith his marching orders.

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The Kiwi utility was binned for mouthing off at the referee when he felt he deserved a penalty after a bustling run, as he appeared to be held down by Aiden Tolman.

Gee didn’t hesitate to send Smith from the field, saying: “I’m not even going to repeat what he said.”

As he left the field for his 10-minute penalty, Sharks fans let Smith know where to go.

He waved to the crowd but as he went towards the sheds, Smith turned back and said “What did you say bro?” to one spectator before he was ushered into the tunnel.

Speaking to ABC Radio after the game, Smith said: “There were a few nasty words said, I didn’t like it at all. Normally people are nice to me!”

Speaking later to Nine, Smith added: “My mouth, it always gets me in trouble.

“I said something to the ref that probably shouldn’t be said. I got sent off, and rightly so, you’re not allowed to do that stuff.”

He also reportedly apologised directly to Gee after the match.

Brandon Smith took exception to something a spectator said.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy couldn’t defend his player, lamenting the impact Smith’s enforced absence had on the rest of the team in a disappointing 22-point loss.

“I don’t know what happened there. That looked like it was going to be one of our best sets, we had a bit of line speed. Then all of a sudden I thought we were getting a penalty, but he ended up in the bin,” Bellamy said.

“I don’t know what he said. We don’t want our players showing that sort of disrespect for the referees. I can only say it won’t happen again.

“I don’t know why he would say something then. The referee obviously did it for a reason. I’ll have a bit of a chat to Brandon and see what happened there.

“As I said, we don’t agree with everything that happens with the referees but we show respect and it is bad enough turning the ball over and giving away a penalty.

“I am pretty sure it isn’t going to happen again.”

Craig Bellamy doesn’t want his players disrespecting referees. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Reflecting on the disappointing loss, Bellamy admitted he had considered a mid-season signing to help with the Storm’s injury toll.

Rookie winger Grant Anderson suffered a serious elbow injury while Kenny Bromwich was taken from the field with an ankle problem.

“It’s been a really tough year, to be honest, as far as injuries go,” he said.

“Hopefully those guys (who got injured in the Sharks game are) not too bad.

“We’ve got a little bit on the cap left. We’ve certainly got a spot in the 30 left.

“We will probably have to do that at some stage. We haven’t spoken too much about it but with Grant getting injured tonight we will have to have a chat about it.”