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“The Brandon Smith drug and betting allegations are set to have wide-ranging implications for the NRL after the Sydney Roosters were caught up in the Queensland Police investigation.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing police investigation told this masthead that Smith had allegedly reached out to a drug dealer to supply a Sydney Roosters teammate with illicit substances.
Smith, who was in Sydney on June 7 and who was still contracted to the Roosters when the incident occurred, was allegedly trying to buy drugs for a teammate who was away with fellow Roosters on the Sunshine Coast during a bye round.
This masthead has been told that at least seven Roosters players travelled to the Sunshine Coast at the time of the incident in question for a golf weekend.
Earlier this year, Roosters chairman Nick Politis said he wanted a zero-tolerance policy at the club when it came to drugs.
“My view is if somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them,” Politis told The Sunday Telegraph. “Our stance is zero tolerance. We are very strong on it. Trent [Robinson] is very strong on it.”
Brandon Smith in action against the Gold Coast earlier this month, after being questioned by police on arrival at Coolangatta Airport.
Brandon Smith in action against the Gold Coast earlier this month, after being questioned by police on arrival at Coolangatta Airport.Credit: Getty Images
Smith was last Wednesday issued a bench warrant to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on September 18, at which point he will be charged on one count of disclosing “inside knowledge” for illegal betting and one count of supplying dangerous drugs.
He played for the Rabbitohs in their 40-0 win over the Dragons last Thursday, but this masthead has been told Smith did not become aware of the bench warrant until Monday.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity told the Herald investigators from Taskforce Maxima, which is responsible for targeting serious organised criminal gang activity in Queensland, saw Smith’s name when they were examining a target’s phone.
They uncovered information that forms the basis of the charges that Smith allegedly ordered drugs for friends and allegedly provided team information which, police allege, the dealer used to place bets.
Brandon Smith left the Roosters to join Souths.
Brandon Smith left the Roosters to join Souths.Credit: Getty Images
The information was allegedly regarding the starting team and both Smith and Latrell Mitchell’s potential return from injury in round 18.
South Sydney said they had no plans to stand down Smith, who plans to defend the charges, from their final game of the NRL season, against the Roosters.
The NRL integrity unit has been made aware of the allegations and is liaising with Queensland Police and South Sydney.
However, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity given the matter is ongoing indicated the NRL was caught unawares by the news Smith had been charged when it broke on Monday.
Smith was questioned by police before a game on the Gold Coast earlier this month, but he was released without charge.
“A 29-year-old man has been issued with a summons … for supplying dangerous drugs and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting,” a police spokesman said in a statement.
The charges Smith is facing do not meet the threshold to trigger the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy, which allows the game to stand down a player charged with offences that carry a maximum jail term of 11 years or more.
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However, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has the power to rule a player out of action.
The NRL is yet to make a call on Smith’s availability as the integrity unit makes its inquiries.
Rabbitohs officials on Monday confirmed that, as it stood, Smith would still be considered for selection in their final-round grudge match against the Roosters.
South Sydney have the bye this weekend. Next Friday night’s fixture is likely to have a huge bearing on the Tricolours’ finals fate.
The development adds yet another element to the age-old rivalry between the two clubs, given Smith was released from his Roosters contract to join South Sydney earlier this season.
He played his first game for the Rabbitohs in round 18 against Manly before suffering a separate knee injury, which ruled him out for another five weeks.
Smith returned in Souths’ win over the Titans on the Gold Coast after police questioned him at Coolangatta Airport when the Rabbitohs flew in. He is contracted to the Rabbitohs until the end of 2026.
“The club are aware of allegations made by Queensland Police against player Brandon Smith,” South Sydney said in a statement.
“The club has informed the NRL Integrity Unit about the allegations. As this matter is part of a Queensland Police investigation, the Rabbitohs will be making no further comment at this“
