Brandon Smith, hooker for the Sydney Roosters, has confirmed that he will exercise his player option for the upcoming season, while addressing speculation regarding his long-term future with the club.
After joining the Roosters in 2023 following six successful seasons with the Melbourne Storm, Smith has faced challenges in meeting expectations and realizing his full potential at the Bondi-based club. He is set to miss the first half of the next season due to an ACL injury, complicating his return to the starting lineup amidst strong competition from emerging talents like NSW Blues representative Connor Watson and Victor Radley.
Smith’s contract, reportedly valued at approximately $850,000 per season, has fueled rumors of his potential exit as the Roosters look to make marquee signings in the coming years. However, Smith expressed his desire to remain with the Roosters during an appearance on James Graham’s podcast, “The Bye Round.”
“I haven’t spoken to them yet because Robbo is still away. Ideally, I would like to stay at the Roosters,” he stated. “I don’t want to go anywhere, and my partner is well entrenched in the club.”
While Smith plans to discuss his future with coach Trent Robinson upon returning to training, reports indicate that multiple clubs have expressed interest in his availability should the Roosters choose to part ways with him. Smith’s agent has been advised to hold off on negotiations with other teams for now, as he focuses on recovery and training.
Meanwhile, the Roosters are navigating their salary cap situation following several key departures, including Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary. The team’s flexibility may influence their decisions regarding player retention and acquisitions in the upcoming season.
As speculation swirls around Smith and the Roosters’ roster moves, the NRL landscape remains dynamic, with potential impacts for several players, including Terrell May, who has reportedly been made available for immediate transfer.
With the 2024 season approaching, Smith’s commitment and performance in recovery will be closely monitored as both he and the Roosters navigate the challenges ahead.