Brandon Smith’s future at the Roosters is up in the air after the club issued him with a breach notice for failing to turn up to the team’s mid-season review on Monday.
The Roosters held a series of review meetings the day after the team’s disappointing loss to North Queensland at Allianz Stadium. Smith, however, did not turn up to the meetings and was subsequently breached by the club for missing the review.
It is unclear whether he will be named to play for the Roosters when they return from the bye against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium next Saturday night.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking under the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely told this masthead that Smith later informed club officials that he was unaware the meeting was scheduled.
Club officials tried to contact Smith during the meeting on multiple occasions but he did not respond until later, informing the Roosters that he did not have his phone on him.
“It was a mistake from my end,” Smith said when contacted on Sunday afternoon.
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith.Credit: Getty
“I was out with family and didn’t realise it was on. I take responsibility for that.”
The breach notice serves as a formal warning and Smith won’t have to front the Roosters board or answer to any club officials.
Sources say that senior figures at the club are frustrated with Smith and are now weighing up his future at the club.
Smith recently took up an option in his favour to remain at the club in 2025. The deal is believed to be worth about $850,000 next season.
Robinson is under increasing pressure from within the club to keep Smith on the straight and narrow following concerns over his commitment.
Brandon Smith with his teammates earlier in the season.Credit: Getty
He joined the club from Melbourne last year but struggled for form as he tried to adapt to a new team and new city. Smith has been better for the Roosters to start 2024 but there remains uncertainty over his position at the club.
Coach Trent Robinson did not respond to attempts to contact him on Sunday.
The club gave players a few days off last week but wanted all of them in for a review before they headed their separate ways. The review looked at the loss to the Cowboys, but also a wider look back at the first 13 rounds of the season leading into the bye.
Robinson has traditionally conducted a mid-season review to give his players an insight and understanding of what improvements need to be made leading into the finals.
The Roosters have won seven of their first 13 games and sit inside the top eight.
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