- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Brandon Smith may have played his last game for the Roosters with the club set to offload him before he returns from injury next year if he can secure a deal elsewhere.
The Kiwi international, who is contracted until the end of next year, will miss the majority of next season after suffering a serious knee injury in August.
After they have already informed Samoan prop Terrell May that he is free to leave despite having two years left on his deal, the Roosters have told Smith that he won’t be in their plans for 2026, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report, and that if he can attract a long-term offer at another club they won’t stand in his way of an early departure.
Smith has struggled for form in his two seasons at the Roosters after his high-profile switch from the Storm.
A mix of injuries and suspensions have led to him being in and out of the side with NSW utility Connor Watson leaping ahead of him in the pecking order at hooker.
The Roosters enter next season with star half Sam Walker also set to miss a large chunk of their campaign due to an ACL year suffered in the same game as Smith’s knee injury against the Raiders.
They have farewelled Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Joey Manu to rugby union and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary to the Super League.
Cowboys veteran Chad Townsend will replace Walker in the halves on a one-year deal while ex-Dragons skipper Ben Hunt recently met with coach Trent Robinson about the prospect of joining the club following his messy split with St George Illawarra.
Asked directly whether Hunt was someone the Roosters were looking at, Robinson earlier this week said there were “a couple of players” in the club’s sights.
“(The injuries) didn’t only affect the back end of this year, but it also affects the start of next year as well,” Robinson said.
“We’re really comfortable with some of the young guys coming through, but we are also looking at covering those positions if it’s right.
“We don’t feel like we’re in a rush, but if it’s right then we’ll look at options.”
with AAP
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.