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"Not wanted": Smith breaks silence on bombshell Roosters exit
SEN • May 8th, 2025 9:26 am
Brandon Smith has opened up on the shock he felt after learning he would be moving from the Roosters to the Rabbitohs in a mid-season deal that stunned the NRL world.
Affectionately known as Cheese, Smith was due to join the Roosters’ cross-town rivals next season but, according to reports in recent days, the move has been fast tracked.
Speaking on the Bye Round Podcast with former NRL player James Graham, Smith revealed the blunt explanation he had received from Roosters coach Trent Robinson over the phone.
"It doesn't seem like I'm very wanted... I just... I don't know,” he said.
"Robbo rang me on the way here.
"It was a good conversation, it was nice. He was like: 'Mate, we're just trying to save some money'.
"It was direct, but he was also pretty surprised by how it came about today."
Smith added that he was on his way home from Angus Crichton’s wedding when his manager called him to give him a heads up about the discussions that were being had.
He is one of several players set to leave Bondi Junction as the club looks to free up space in the salary cap.
With a Bye round this week, Smith is still expected to attend training until the contract is set in stone – something he anticipates will be extraordinarily awkward.
"It's gonna be weird going into training, I've still got to do that. We're meant to have the week training with the reserve grade side this week.
"It's not gonna happen overnight - they're not gonna be able to draw up a contract overnight - so it's gonna be an awkward one.”
Since arriving at the Roosters, Smith has played just 41 games having suffered a number of injuries.
The club currently sits ninth on the ladder with four wins from nine games.
