Brandon Smith’s public play to the Rabbitohs won’t go down well at Roosters HQ

Brandon Smith has added a fresh and explosive chapter to the book of feuds between the Rabbitohs and Roosters after publicly batting his eyelids at Wayne Bennett, writes BRENT READ.

A penny for Nick Politis’ thoughts this week as he listened to Brandon Smith declare that back when he was a whippersnapper in New Zealand, he supported South Sydney – the Sydney Roosters’ arch enemies.

Smith’s local team wore the same colours. Red and green. So Smith found himself drawn to the Rabbitohs, revealing as much in his regular segment on The Bye Round with James Graham.

Not for the first time, Smith was publicly batting his eyelids at Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs. There seems little doubt where he wants to play next season and if the rumour mill is on the mark, talks are heating up to the point where a contract could be agreed as soon as next week.

Brandon Smith’s stay at the Roosters has been a largely unhappy one. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Off contract at the end of the year and seemingly unwanted by the Roosters, Smith can’t be blamed for shopping himself around the NRL. This was Souths though and it’s likely the Roosters hierarchy were less than impressed given the history between the clubs since their inception more than 100 years ago.

Toxic barely does it justice. They simply don’t like each other and the enmity between them goes all the way to the top of both organisations.

Art by Boo Bailey.

Politis, the Roosters supremo, has never hidden his disdain for the Rabbitohs and no doubt would have bristled at Smith’s comments given his longstanding hatred of their rivals.

Here was one of his own basically begging the Rabbitohs to make him an offer. Hoping that his decision to backflip on Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins a few years back wouldn’t backfire on him and cost him the chance to play for Souths.

Can’t imagine Uncle Nick would have been overly pleased. Another chapter in the Book of Feuds is seemingly being written with every Smith appearance on Graham’s podcast.

Yes, players have crossed the divide in the past but Craig Wing aside – he was paraded by the Rabbitohs while still under contract with the Roosters – it’s hard to remember a more public serenading given the way Smith has addressed the Rabbitohs’ interest in recent weeks.

Smith is only 28 and still has so much to give. He can be a game changer on his day, capable of turning matches in the blink of an eye with his powerful running game.

Brandon Smith at his best would bring a powerful running game to the Rabbitohs. Matt King/Getty Images)

The Roosters thought enough of him to offer a three year deal worth around $2.5 million when they recruited him from the Melbourne Storm. History will suggest that investment hasn’t been vindicated, although in Smith’s defence injuries and some personal issues haven’t helped him repay the Roosters’ faith.

Provided he has no complications with his knee injury, he will likely arrive at Souths in the prime of his career. He will give them cover at hooker and lock. He can hurt you in so many ways when he is fit, free and in the right frame of mind.

The Roosters have already made their position clear. The New Zealand International is contracted until the end of the season but he is no longer wanted and he hopes to lock away his future sooner rather than later, leaving the Roosters with a decision to make about his immediate future.

You can imagine a move to Souths will go down like a lead balloon at Bondi. It will sting even more if he rediscovers his best form under Bennett at the Rabbitohs.

His move to the Roosters promised so much but it hasn’t really worked out. Trent Robinson hasn’t quite found the key to unlocking the brilliance of Brandon. There have been flashes but consistency hasn’t been his hallmark.

Perhaps Bennett will get the best out of Smith. He certainly seems like a Bennett player given the super-coach has always had an affinity with footballers who have a twinkle in their eye.

Smith certainly has that. He also has plenty of footy left in him. Although he is coming off knee surgery, his versatility and feistiness will be a welcome addition to a Souths side with plenty of ammunition already in their arsenal.

He might be one of the best signings of next season. That’s if he doesn’t arrive before then.

* * * * *

If Kalyn Ponga keeps playing like he has through the opening two rounds of the premiership, Newcastle may not necessarily need Dylan Brown to be the second coming of Andrew Johns to win a premiership.

Ponga could be all it takes. The Newcastle superstar destroyed the Dolphins on Thursday night, the club he almost joined only to snub Wayne Bennett to focus on winning a title with the Knights.

Ponga had three try assists and threatened every time he touched the ball. The Dolphins had no answer.

One of the NRL’s most prominent recruitment gurus sent me a message midway through the second half declaring Ponga the best player in the game.

Kalyn Ponga has been in superb form for the Knights in the opening rounds of the 2025 season. Picture: Getty Images

Nathan Cleary may have a thing or two to say about that but there’s no doubt Ponga is off to a flyer. If he keeps it up, the best player in the game debate may start to heat up.

A second Dally M may be in the offing and an old-fashioned State of Origin selection stoush may be about to heat up.

Ponga is giving Billy Slater plenty to think about only two rounds into the season. Reece Walsh is the incumbent and his form in the opening round was eye-catching as well.

Perhaps Slater will replicate what he did in Origin III last year when Ponga came off the bench. Then again, if he keeps playing like he is, it seems hard to believe Ponga can be left out of the starting side.

Slater still has plenty of weeks to settle that debate. As for the Knights, they spent a king’s ransom on Dylan Brown this week but must be licking their lips at the prospect of pairing him with Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe, whose form at five-eighth has been outstanding through the opening two rounds.

The trio will be a handful for opponents. Brown, though, is still a year away from landing in Newcastle. Until then, Ponga will carry the Knights’ hopes on his broad shoulders.

From what we have seen through two rounds, he might be enough.

Originally published as Brandon Smith’s public play to the Rabbitohs won’t go down well at Roosters HQ