‘We have so many piss-ups’: Brandon Smith reveals ‘massive drinking culture’ at Storm

The most explosive claim in Storm star Brandon Smith’s trainwreck podcast interview had been overlooked until now.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Cameron Munster and Harry Grant of the Storm looks dejected after defeat during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brandon Smith has revealed drinking is “a massive part of the culture” at the Melbourne Storm in an explosive tell-all interview.

Smith detailed a wild drinking story involving Dale Finucane and said club legend Cameron Smith “loves a beer”.

It was all inside the 56-minute YKTR Sports podcast which has landed Smith in hot water this week.

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The Storm and the NRL are fuming with the hooker’s behaviour, and his public defection to the Roosters could see Melbourne cut ties with him.

Smith will join the Roosters in 2023 after reportedly deciding on the move without talking to Melbourne, despite promising to give the club final bidding rights.

The NRL is investigating the explosive podcast and Smith is expected to be fined for swearing profusely on the show.

Here’s the most interesting parts from Smith on the Storm in the podcast.

DRINKING CULTURE

Smith revealed the Storm train hard and play even harder - both on and off the field.

The Kiwi larrikin said the heavy drinking culture at the club helps build camaraderie.

“We have so many piss-ups and it’s no secret that piss-ups build relationships, there’s a reason I was getting piss fit this whole time,” Smith said.

NRL 2021 RD11 Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm - Brandon Smith

“Because you just start letting loose, you can talk and be yourself. At the Storm bro, drinking is a massive part of the culture.

“We had beer pong competition at my house and Scott Drinkwater, we were playing beer pong, Dale (Finucane) was blind, and Scott kept pouring vodka into his beer cups and he drank a bottle of vodka in 32 minutes, like a whole bottle and he was so pissed.

“He doesn’t realise how strong he is, he grabs you and just manhandles you around and 20 minutes later he’s got his shoe and he’s spewing into his shoe.”

ON CAMERON SMITH

Smith was perplexed as to why his former captain Cameron Smith is such a polarising figure in rugby league.

The future Immortal is considered in some NRL circles the greatest players of all time, but Smith’s character was often attacked throughout his illustrious career.

“He’s the man. I can’t understand how he gets (called) a sh*t person and all that, he’s the complete opposite,” Smith said.

“I have a really good relationship with his family and I’ve never seen him doing anything wrong, like nothing wrong.

“Everything is by the book. He’s one of those trainers who is not an outstanding trainer but he will do everything and never be tired and with gym it’s every rep.

“He loves a beer, like loves a beer, doesn’t do any of like (that) other sh*t. He’s just such a good dude.”

MUNSTER ON THE PUNT

The Storm squad have spent plenty of time on the road together over the past two years due to Covid and Smith said playing cards is constant feature.

The teammates play for cash and Smith ousted Cameron Munster as the worst punter in the team.

“I play a lot of cards, me and Christian Welch actually, I reckon we’re about to get hit up by the ATO because we just take that much cash off the boys,” Smith said.

“Cameron Munster, I reckon he’s give us a $1000 this year just on playing cards, he’s the worst.

Cameron Munster and Harry Grant. Getty Images)

“He gets so horny, because in 500 you get to pick up the middle and you don’t know what they are and bro he’ll just outcall you because he wants to see what’s there, he sucks.

“But he’s also the most tin-arsed bloke in the world.”

TIGHT-KNIT MELBOURNE

Melbourne is full players who have moved to a new city and Smith said it creates a unique team environment away from footy.

“Melbourne is unreal, the people there and all the players we all love each other because we’ve got no family in Melbourne, most of us,” Smith said.

“And all us young fellas, like everyone under 26, all live in Richmond, all live a 1km away from each other and we’re always hanging out with each other, every single day.

“And that’s pretty much how I grew up in Waiheke, it’s very homely there and I see it.

“Like when Harry (Grant) went to the Tigers he said they just don’t have that, don’t have that bond because everyone lives so far away from each other, so it’s so much different.”

Originally published as ‘We have so many piss-ups’: Brandon Smith reveals ‘massive drinking culture’ at Storm