NRL Transfers: Dolphins confident of luring Storm star Brandon Smith
Five clubs are chasing the signature of Brandon Smith but one believes it is leading the pack - and it’s not just down to money.
Dolphins recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan believes the expansion newcomers are on the verge of securing Brandon Smith and making the Melbourne ace the 17th team’s first marquee signing.
Smith has toured Queensland trinity the Cowboys, Titans and Dolphins and his whistlestop tour of NRL clubs will conclude when he visits the Sydney Roosters, most likely on Monday week.
Smith’s manager Stan Martin says the Storm hooker plans to make a definitive call by the end of November, with the Roosters and Titans considered the front-runners to snare the Kiwi Test star, who is a free agent for 2023.
The Storm are also refusing to give up hope of keeping Smith in Melbourne, but O’Sullivan remains confident the Dolphins can prevail in a five-way bidding war to secure one of the most explosive ball-runners in the code.
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Brisbane’s new second NRL team is under pressure to land a big name as their No.1 signing and O’Sullivan says the pulling power of super coach Wayne Bennett could be pivotal in luring Smith to the Dolphins.
“I’m not saying we are definitely going to get him, but I think we have our noses in front,” said O’Sullivan, the former Storm, Roosters and Warriors recruitment chief.
“The Titans will think they are in front and I’m sure the Roosters will also think they are in front.
“We’ll find out in the next week or so who ends up in front.
“The money has stopped now so it’s a matter of where Brandon wants to go.
“Wayne is a huge factor in getting Brandon. I had a meeting with a manager the other day and he said I wouldn’t be meeting you if it wasn’t for Wayne Bennett.
“Wayne has reinvented himself as a coach in the last three years. He has an incredible aura and I see players’ eyes light up when he talks to them.
“Brandon and Harry Grant (Storm teammate) are the two best hookers in the game, so common sense tells you they both aren’t going to stay forever in Melbourne.”
If Smith’s decision was based solely on money, the Dolphins would win his signature.
News Corp understands the Dolphins have tabled the most lucrative offer, with the second Brisbane franchise prepared to pay up to $900,000-a-season for the 25-year-old, who won a premiership ring at the Storm in 2020.
The Gold Coast’s three-year offer is worth around $800,000 annually, while the Roosters cannot triumph in a bidding war under the salary cap, but believe their proven premiership culture can be attractive for Smith.
Bennett has held talks with Smith to spruik his vision for the Dolphins. While there are concerns over Smith’s image in the wake of his role in Melbourne’s white-powder scandal, O’Sullivan scoffed at suggestions the Melbourne match-winner could be a risky investment.
“Brandon is an outstanding player. He is the sort of person we want at the Dolphins,” he said.
“You have to have good people but you can’t win premierships with a group of choirboys. You need players of all shapes and sizes and they come with different attitudes. Some want it more than others.
“If you look at the game historically, there’s been plenty of players with baggage or a few issues who were the champion players.
“There’s some learnings for Brandon. He knows that how well he looks after himself and his body will determine how long he will play the game.
“Wayne has a proven track record with that sort of player who needs some guidance. Wayne sprinkles the magic dust and they play well and he can keep players in line without being over the top with their discipline.
“He just gets the best out of people.”
TITANS MAKE THEIR PITCH TO SMITH
Brandon Smith will meet with the Dolphins on Thursday as the NRL’s 17th team ramps up plans to make the Kiwi Test star its No. 1 signing.
Smith’s whistlestop tour of Queensland’s NRL clubs has intensified, with the Melbourne hooker to follow up trips to the Cowboys and Titans with a final visit to Redcliffe’s facilities before making a definitive call on his future.
The 25-year-old inspected Gold Coast’s set-up on Tuesday with his mother Tirohia in tow as the Titans upped the ante with a three-year, $2.4 million offer to bring Smith to Parkwood for the 2023 season.
Speculation is rife the Titans will win the battle for the signature of Storm rake Smith, who is off-contract at the end of next season and has been on Gold Coast’s radar for the past 12 months.
But the Dolphins are refusing to give up hope and can make a critical pitch on Thursday when Smith completes his Queensland NRL tour by checking out the second Brisbane team’s $70 million operations at Redcliffe.
It is understood Smith with meet with Dolphins recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan and club officials before making a final decision on whether to quit Melbourne early next week.
Speaking before Melbourne’s finals loss to Penrith six weeks ago, Smith acknowledged he was happy at the Storm but open to interest from Queensland clubs, including new 17th team the Dolphins.
“Of course it has appeal,” Smith said of potentially moving north to play for a Queensland club.
“My parents just moved to Brissie, so it’s an option. I have put everything aside and come November 1, when I can get formal offers, there will be a lot of discussions between me and my manager.
“I guess any club is a hope, but my preference is to stay here. I want to sort my future out sooner rather than later. I want it done sometime during the pre-season, but before I sign anything, I want to be able to address the Storm if I am leaving.
“I guess any club is a hope, but it’s just whether I can bring myself to leave the Storm.”
The Broncos have also been linked to the match-winning hooker, but it is understood Brisbane do not have the salary-cap funds to table a competitive offer for Smith.
The Roosters are keen on Smith, but could be blown out of the park by offers from Queensland-based clubs.
The Dolphins shape as the biggest threat to the Titans with the 17th franchise having the salary-cap space to pay Smith $900,000 a season.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have continued their off-field recruitment drive with four key administration appointments that will underpin their drive to be a major commercial player in the NRL.
Collingwood’s commercial partnerships boss Damien McDowell has quit the AFL powerhouse to link with the Dolphins, while Shirley Moro will be the organisation’s chief financial officer after nine years with the Broncos.
Former Broncos media chief Trad McLean will be the Dolphins’ head of media and engagement, while Tristan Croll has been announced as digital-and-design chief for the NRL’s 17th team.
“We are all excited about the sort of playing talent we can assemble on the field for the Dolphins, but it is imperative we also have a strong roster in administration to build our commercial base,” said Dolphins CEO Terry Reader.
“These are key appointments for the organisation – I have worked alongside these people for many years, so I know what they can deliver.
“I am excited about what the Dolphins will be able to do both on and off the field.”
It comes as the club releases its merchandise kit through Classic Sportwear on its website to enable thousands of new Dolphins supporters to purchase in time for Christmas.
This is the first time the public has been able to get their hands on the training kit foundation Dolphins players will wear when pre-season training starts in late 2022.
Broncos out of race as QLD clubs battle for Storm star
The Titans have ramped up their pursuit of Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith with a $2.4 million poaching bid after the Kiwi Test star was photographed shaking hands with Gold Coast figures at the club’s headquarters.
Photos of Smith and his mother Tirohia with Titans coach Justin Holbrook, football manager Anthony Laffranchi and recruitment boss Ezra Howe at Titans HQ emerged on social media on Tuesday, fuelling speculation he had committed to the Gold Coast.
The Titans are going hard for the Storm ace, tabling a three-year deal worth around $800,000 a season.
Smith’s manager Stan Martin rejected claims a deal had been reached, but confirmed his client had toured the Titans’ set up as the Queensland tug of war for Smith heats up.
Smith was in Townsville recently, raising speculation he was considering a return to North Queensland, and has also held talks with Redcliffe-based expansion club the Dolphins.
The Broncos have also been linked to the match-winning hooker, but it is understood Brisbane do not have the salary-cap funds to table a competitive offer for Smith.
The Roosters are keen on Smith, but could be blown out of the park by offers from Queensland-based clubs.
The Dolphins shape as the biggest threat to the Titans with new recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan keen to lure Smith to the NRL’s 17th team from 2023.
Smith is off-contract in Melbourne at the end of the 2022 season and is one of the NRL’s most in-demand free agents.
The Storm have conceded they are unlikely to match the big-money offers Smith has attracted from rival clubs.
The Titans have had their eye on Smith for a year and were the first club to make a formal offer when he hit the open market on November 1.
Speaking before Melbourne’s finals loss to Penrith six weeks ago, Smith acknowledged he was happy at the Storm but open to interest from Queensland clubs, including new 17th team the Dolphins.
“Of course it has appeal,” Smith said of potentially moving north to play for a Queensland club.
“My parents just moved to Brissie, so it’s an option. I have put everything aside and come November 1, when I can get formal offers, there will be a lot of discussions between me and my manager.
“I guess any club is a hope, but my preference is to stay here. I want to sort my future out sooner rather than later. I want it done sometime during the pre-season, but before I sign anything, I want to be able to address the Storm if I am leaving.
“I guess any club is a hope, but it’s just whether I can bring myself to leave the Storm.”
The Storm are facing poaching raids on Smith and Queensland prop Christian Welch, with chairman Matt Tripp admitting they were at long odds to retain the duo.
“It’s up to us to put our best foot forward to try and hang on to them,” he said.
“I am really hopeful that both will stay, but am I confident in keeping them both? I’m cautiously optimistic, I won’t say I’m confident.
“There is only so much room in the cap and so much we can offer these guys. I’m hoping it’s good enough but I’m genuinely not sure what offers will be coming their way.
“They might make a bit more money but may have to get used to getting kicked to death on the field each week as opposed to playing in a side that’s had a lot of careful planning gone into its list so we can have sustained success.
“The grass is always greener and Queensland has been very kind to a lot of our boys for the last couple of years because it’s been home for them. But Melbourne is going to be a pretty good place to live next year now that we’ve hopefully broken the back of the lockdowns.
“If we can hold our list together we are genuine contenders again.”
Cowboys try to lasso Panthers star
– Peter Badel and Brent Read
The Cowboys are making moves to bring Viliame Kikau back to Townsville as the Panthers’ premiership success threatens to force the barnstorming back-rower out of Penrith.
News Corp can reveal North Queensland have formally expressed interest in Kikau and new Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett is also eyeing off the Fijian wrecking ball to spearhead the NRL’s 17th team in 2023.
Off-contract at the end of next season, Kikau was able to field formal offers from Monday and the Cowboys have wasted no time seizing on the new November 1 contracting period by reaching out to the Penrith forward’s management.
The Panthers are keen to upgrade Kikau, but it is understood the newly-minted premiers are facing an uphill battle to keep their back-row strike weapon as they battle salary-cap pressures to also retain Dylan Edwards and Api Koroisau.
The price of premiership success has previously cost winning clubs key players — and the Cowboys possess the salary-cap funds to make a big-money play for Kikau.
Kikau has a history with the Cowboys. The former Fiji rugby talent launched his rugby league career at North Queensland, scoring 32 tries in 42 games for the club’s under-20s side in 2014-15, but was poached by Penrith after struggling to break into their top squad.
Current Cowboys head coach Todd Payten mentored Kikau in the under-20s and is keen to reunite with the 26-year-old as he looks to haul North Queensland out of the NRL cellar.
“Viliame is someone who is certainly on our radar,” Cowboys head-of-football Micheal Luck said. “We were in the market earlier this year for an edge back-rower.
“Kurt Capewell (Kikau’s former Panthers teammate) went to the Broncos and we also had Dane Finucane (Storm veteran who has joined Cronulla) pegged for that spot, so our view hasn’t changed.
“We feel from a depth perspective the back-row is one area where we not only need some strike, but some experience as well.
“If Viliame is keen to come back, we’ll certainly have a conversation about it.”
The Cowboys have yet to make a formal offer for Kikau, but they have the salary-cap power to potentially win a bidding war.
The 118kg powerhouse is on around $750,000 next season and the Panthers will struggle to meet his $800,000-plus asking price for 2023 — opening the door for the Cowboys and Dolphins.
Bennett has yet to contact Kikau’s management but the Dolphins need 30 full-time players and the super coach regards Kikau as a genuine matchwinner.
Last month, Kikau’s agent George Christodoulou said the Panthers dynamo is happy at Penrith, but conceded salary-cap pressures were an issue.
“If it’s acceptable, ‘Kiks’ will re-sign with Penrith, but if they only have $500,000 left in the cap, we will have to go to market,” he said. “Depending on the salary cap, someone might have to be a casualty (at Penrith).
“As a yardstick, offers of $800,000 are a minimum for ‘Billy’ and depending on the market he could go to $1 million. The reality of the situation is Kiks would like to stay, but if a deal can’t be done, it can’t be done. It’s the realities of modern-day sport.”
The Cowboys have missed the finals for four consecutive seasons and Kikau would bring a destructive edge to their back row working in tandem with star lock Jason Taumalolo.
“Kikau has plenty of strike,” Luck said.
“He has now won a premiership and he knows Townsville having been up here before he went to Penrith. He ticks a number of boxes.
“Toddy Payten coached him in our 20s team so he knows Viliame.
“He wouldn’t come cheap, but if you want to make something happen, we can.
“We have ‘Jase’ (Taumalolo) and Val (Holmes) locked into long-term contracts so the recruiting decisions we make around those guys have to be the right ones.”
Storm on cusp of landing All Blacks giant
– Brent Read
Melbourne are on the verge of another stunning trans-Tasman coup as they prepare to raid the New Zealand rugby sevens program for 193cm giant who won a silver medal with the All Blacks at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
News Corp can reveal the Storm have been in talks with Will Warbrick, a 23-year-old who was in the All Blacks side that lost the Olympic final to Fiji. It is understood he has been identified as a potential replacement on the wing for Josh Addo-Carr, who departed the Storm at the end of last season to join Canterbury.
The Storm’s cross-code raid comes as Penrith add some much-needed depth in the halves by signing former Warriors and Brisbane playmaker Sean O’Sullivan.
It is understood the Panthers have been locked in talks with O’Sullivan for weeks and his signature is not related to the sacking of Tyrone May, who had his contract terminated by the Panthers’ board on Wednesday.
While O’Sullivan’s arrival and May’s departure are unrelated, the former’s signing will provide the club with an insurance policy in the halves as they prepare to start next season, potentially without Nathan Cleary.
Cleary underwent surgery on his shoulder following the club’s premiership win and there is concern that he may not be fit for the early rounds of 2022.
O’Sullivan made his first grade debut with the Sydney Roosters three years ago before stints at the Broncos and Warriors. He left the New Zealand side at the end of the season and was close to signing elsewhere before agreeing a deal with the Panthers for next season in what is a homecoming for the 23-year-old.
O’Sullivan starred in SG Ball for Penrith, leading the young Panthers to a grand final victory alongside current NRL stars Brian To’o and Mitch Kenny.
His path to first grade was blocked by Cleary and he opted to seek opportunities elsewhere. Now he is poised to return, where he will provide support to Cleary and his partner for Penrith and NSW, Jarome Luai.
The player market was expected to heat up when November 1 arrived but it has instead been a slow burn, although little was expected to happen on Tuesday given it was Melbourne Cup day.
It is understood Mitchell Pearce’s move to French club Catalans is edging closer to reality and could be confirmed within days. The Tigers also remain hopeful a deal can still be done for Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson.
The Storm have taken a more left-field route to strengthen their ranks for next season. Warbrick was an unknown quantity only three years ago, having turned his back on rugby union to remarkably play Australian rules as he dealt with mental health issues.
He admitted in an interview on the All Blacks YouTube channel last year that he had to make a decision between chasing the dream or finding a real job.
Then he came across an ad on Facebook for trials for the New Zealand sevens program. He seized his chance and only a matter of months ago was vindicated as he was part of the All Blacks side that won a silver medal at the Tokyo Games.
He caught the eye of the Storm in the process and it is believed Melbourne have stepped up talks in recent weeks as they look to add depth and quality to their outside backs — as well as Addo-Carr, Brenko Lee departed at the end of last season.
Titans lead chase for high-priced star, Walker re-signs
– Brent Read, Phil Rothfield
South Sydney powerbrokers have downplayed the significance of Cody Walker aligning his contract with Latrell Mitchell as they earmark a role on the club’s coaching staff for their talismanic five-eighth in coming years.
The Rabbitohs announced a one-year extension for Walker on Monday morning, ensuring he would remain out of the clutches of expansion side, the Dolphins, when they enter the competition in 2023.
His retention was the most notable news as November 1 rolled around, although there was significant movement behind the scenes as players entering the final year of their existing deals were able to receive formal offers.
In other signing news:
* Gold Coast were among three clubs to table official offers for Brandon Smith – at least three other clubs have expressed interest in the New Zealand international and are expected to submit offers in coming days. He has already received a bid worth $1 million a season;
* Speculation emerged that star centre Joey Manu was on the verge of rejecting a multimillion-dollar bid from the Warriors to remain at the Sydney Roosters, turning his back on as much as $500,000;
* A handful of clubs formally expressed an interest in Penrith hooker Api Koroisau;
* Talks continued between Catalans and representatives for Mitchell Pearce over his mooted move to the south of France; and
* Latrell Mitchell’s brother Shaquai started a train-and-trial deal with the Rabbitohs.
Walker was the only deal to be officially announced, his retention meaning he and Latrell Mitchell will both be off contract at the end of 2023.
News Corp revealed recently that there was talk they could look to leverage their aligned contracts to secure big deals with the Dolphins, where they would be reunited with former Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.
“It was a deal that Cody and the club had to be comfortable with,” Souths chief executive Blake Solly said.
“He had the ‘22 season with us already. Realistically, he has two years left with us. I don’t think there is stock in this idea of them (Walker and Mitchell) as a package deal.
“We know and everyone knows who close their relationship is and how well they combine on the field. But we think we have been a really good home for them and they have been wonderful for us.”
Walker is expected to be a leading contender to captain the Rabbitohs when Jason Demetriou finally decides who will take over from recently-departed Adam Reynolds.
“It is huge,” Demetriou said.
“For him to want to stay at the club and be part of the start of my journey is a real positive. You want your best players to want to stay. He is extremely durable. I barely remember him ever missing training. He just loves playing footy.”
Down the track, he may join Demetriou’s coaching staff.
“We expect that Cody will be able to and want to continue playing beyond ’23 but whenever he decides he doesn’t want to play any more, his standing in the indigenous community and the community work he already does with the club as well as his footy brain, make him ideal for a community or coaching position,” Solly said.
“It is a long way away from that discussion now but given how smart he is a footballer, I wouldn’t see why a coaching career is out of the question.”
Of his new deal, Walker said: “This is my home. I’m really excited about what is ahead for the team under ‘JD’ (Jason Demetriou) and we have some young stars coming through who are going to be great players for this club.
“We have a great culture within the team and the club, and it’s also a club that respects our cultures outside of football. The work that we get to do within the community through Souths Cares and other initiatives like the Rising Warriors Program through Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation, the club knows how important that is for me and supports me and the other boys in what we want to do to help the community.
“That’s so important for us and it only binds us closer together.”
Smith’s manager Stan Martin made it crystal clear that his client would head to market and he confirmed late on Monday that he had already received a handful of offers for the Storm rake.
Melbourne chair Matt Tripp has asked to be kept informed of discussions, having already tabled an offer to keep Smith at the club.
Manu is also edging closer to a definitive decision on is future as speculation mounts that he is ready to stay at the Roosters and bide his time to get a shot at one of the key playmaking positions.
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