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Brandon Smith

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,977
We have Cam and he will get big money from someone like the Titans who need a good hooker. Love his on field aggression but not established WIWO 80 min player

His so called cheeky say what you feel attitude is getting latched on by the media and he is becoming a big favourite and that can only lead to distraction as they will play that record until it wears out.

Yeh sign him up for a No 13 or 14 spot.
 

Exsilium

Coach
Messages
10,347
B. Smith is a victim of his versatility. His value came from being able to slot into multiple roles. He regularly slots into back row, Hooker and lock with good effect. He's a great 14 and a genuine momentum changer.

I don't get why players dont see the 14 role as a genuine spot on the roster. It's the most underrated position.

Hook brought Hunt into FG as a half/hooker off the bench. He saw his potential at hooker back then but the rule changes suit Cam McInnes and his running game. Its a tough one but B.Smith is not the hooker you need.
 

muzby

Village Idiot
Staff member
Messages
45,969
Melbourne appear quite under stocked in the halves.

One suspension or major injury & they could be in trouble..

The smart move from the Storm would be to swap Smith for an established half from another club...



And Corey Norman looks great in purple...

It really brings out his eyes
 

Walpole

Juniors
Messages
2,460
Melbourne appear quite under stocked in the halves.

One suspension or major injury & they could be in trouble..

The smart move from the Storm would be to swap Smith for an established half from another club...



And Corey Norman looks great in purple...

It really brings out his eyes
Bellamy would probably turn Norman into a first grader.
 
Messages
1,054
Yes.A hard nut.
Storm looking like for like,.Mcinnes for Smith
Long odds to happen.

Won’t happen.
If McInnes not happy playing 13 for us he won’t be playing 9 for the Storm with Harry Grant.
Would only sign Brandon Smith if the Club knows McInnes will be leaving.
If McInnes stays we have great squad players for Hooker (Cam, Benny and Billy) so don’t require Smith.
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,834
I must say that what I like about B.Smith is that he never stops , he is like his namesake - Ref. Smith , he goes for the entire 80 minutes and is a real schemer , he has that footy brain that is constantly working out how to get through the opposition’s defense .

On the negative side he can be a dirty sod when the mood is upon him , once again ever so similar to the ref.

If he could rid the foul play from his game , then he certainly would be an excellent purchase , however he would also require a coach who could pull him into line when required .
 

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
7,895
He plays in the one position Saints are stacked on unfortunately. If he only wants to play hooker then I cannot see it happening. Unless McInness wants to play lock, Smith at hooker and Benny at half.

His best bet is the Tigers. They would be crazy not to get him.
 

TruSaint

Referee
Messages
20,855
I must say that what I like about B.Smith is that he never stops , he is like his namesake - Ref. Smith , he goes for the entire 80 minutes and is a real schemer , he has that footy brain that is constantly working out how to get through the opposition’s defense .

On the negative side he can be a dirty sod when the mood is upon him , once again ever so similar to the ref.

If he could rid the foul play from his game , then he certainly would be an excellent purchase , however he would also require a coach who could pull him into line when required .

He's a player that could single handedly win you one game and cost you three as a result of discipline.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,330
Dragons not in Smith hunt as clubs circle
  • National Sport
    r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

    Brandon Smith has been given permission by Melbourne to talk with rival NRL clubs.
    St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has all but ruled out making a play for Brandon Smith as the Melbourne hooker eyes a new NRL club in 2022.

    Despite playing as a bench forward this season, the New Zealand international sees himself as a starting No.9 and won't compete for a spot with good friend Harry Grant at the Storm should Cameron Smith retire.

    On Monday Smith's agent sent an email to 14 NRL clubs notifying them of his availability for 2022 - with a release from Melbourne conditional on getting a player of similar calibre in return.

    It's understood the email sparked interest from a number of NRL clubs willing to offer Smith a No.9 role, but the Dragons are not one of them.

    With Cameron McInnes, Ben Hunt and Billy Brittain on the books as hooking options, Griffin said the club is unlikely to make a play for Smith although they have salary cap space to spend.

    "It's a nice story, everyone got an email because they're covering their tracks by the sounds of it," he told Big Sports Breakfast.

    "We've got people like McInnes and Ben Hunt here and a couple young hookers in the system.

    "(Recruiting Smith) is something we haven't addressed.

    "We do have some capacity left that we're being patient with and over the off-season we'll pick up a couple of more purchases but we certainly haven't been down that path to look at Brandon."

    The Wests Tigers, Manly and Canterbury have been mentioned as likely destinations for the 24-year-old Smith.

    Michael Maguire has spent time with Smith as coach of the Kiwis, while the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles could use a quality hooker to bolster their spine.

    The only club that wasn't included on the email list was Gold Coast, although they are likely to be interested in luring him to the club.

    Australian Associated Press

    https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7045947/dragons-not-in-smith-hunt-as-clubs-circle/?cs=4783
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,330
  • St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin says Dragons unlikely to chase Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith
    Shockwaves were sent through the NRL on Monday when a secret email revealed that Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith would be granted an early release.

    Matt Logue
    NCA NewsWire
    December 8, 202010:29am
  • Video
  • a7991283e240f661c917d38a2eb83da5

    St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin says it is unlikely the Dragons will pursue Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith for the 2022 season, but the club has the salary cap space to make a couple of purchases over the off-season.

    Shockwaves were sent through the NRL on Monday when a secret email sent to 14 clubs revealed that Smith would be granted an early release from the Storm.

    Melbourne will allow their champion hooker to leave after next season provided the club secures “commensurate compensation” in return.

    The return of Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant has prompted Smith to look for another club, with his manager Stan Martin saying in the email his client wants to “play exclusively at hooker”.

    Smith, 24, will remain at Melbourne next season before seeking a release from the final year of his deal in 2022. He is earning around $425,000 a season but could attract more money on the NRL open market.

    bd16818bbd2f7bdbfea54fc7501a2e7f

    Brandon Smith wants to play exclusively at hooker. Picture: AAP Image/David CroslingSource:AAP

    Griffin confirmed St George Illawarra also received the email about Smith’s release but admitted the club hadn’t discussed his name.

    He said the Dragons were focused on signing at least two players over the summer with space in the salary cap.

    “I don’t know about (Smith),” Griffin told The Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday.

    “We’ve got people like Cam McInnes, Ben Hunt. and a couple of young hookers in the system.

    “That is something we haven’t addressed, but we do have some capacity left, which we are being patient with.

    “Over the off-season we will pick up a couple of more purchases, but we certainly haven’t been down that path to look at Brandon.”

    Griffin, though, was happy to have a laugh about Smith’s release email being sent to most of the competition.

    5dc73008dbd0bfe8f06a1e6bc7cbe642

    St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin has revealed he is leaning towards shifting million-dollar man Ben Hunt back to halfback following his stint at hooker last season. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.Source:Getty Images

    “It is a nice story that one – everyone got an email,” he said.

    “I think everyone got an email because they are covering their tracks by the sounds of it.”

    On the field, Griffin revealed he was leaning towards shifting million-dollar man Ben Hunt back to halfback following his stint at hooker last season.

    Hunt played eight of his 19 games last season at starting hooker, including another four games off the interchange bench.

    Griffin, though, believes the Queensland and Australian representative is a No 7.

    “Ben is a halfback who has played finals football, grand finals and Origin,” he said.

    “He can do it at halfback, and he is coming to a point in his career where he is 30, so to really fulfil his career it is important for him to play his best football over the next two to three years.”

    https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/s...h/news-story/a5c008e3ef93400af941766820f326fd
 

thebigredv

First Grade
Messages
5,407
Cameron McInness or Brandon Smith. Both excellent. I'd be signing whoever comes cheaper. Dragons should proactively sort this out now so we can make a play at the better option.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,330
Cameron McInness or Brandon Smith. Both excellent. I'd be signing whoever comes cheaper. Dragons should proactively sort this out now so we can make a play at the better option.

As hinted in the article Smith has signed elsewhere....
 

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