Brandon Smith released by Sydney Roosters to join South Sydney

Brandon Smith has officially been granted an early release by the Roosters, with the injured hooker set to link up with the Rabbitohs today where he’ll continue his rehab before returning to action in roughly seven weeks.

Smith signed a two-year deal to join Souths in 2026 but will make the move now after passing his medical on Monday.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed on Monday that the decision was purely financial, with Connor Watson and Zach Dockar-Clay doing a good job for the club this season.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

Smith joined the Roosters in 2023 after a successful stint in Melbourne, but endured a slow start to life at his new club before finding form last season, only for him to suffer a serious knee injury on the eve of the finals.

“We appreciate Brandon’s contributions over the last two and a half years, he was playing some very good football before he was sidelined by his knee injury,” Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson said.

“With his return to play not too far away, we thank Brandon and extend our best wishes in the next chapter of his career.”

Smith will now join Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs just a few years after he told him he’d play under him at the Dolphins, only to change his mind and sign for the Roosters.

“I dudded Wayne and I broke his trust because I told him I was going there,” he said last week.

“Two years down the track, he’s still interested in me. That shows me he wants me. Every chance I’ve had with him over the past two days, he’s been outstanding.

“The feeling of not being wanted is bad, but being wanted is better.”

Smith’s move also puts an end to a drawn out contract saga, with the hooker being vocal throughout the process of his transfer.

The former Storm star openly admitted he wasn’t being updated on negotiations between the club, going as far to reveal the moment he found out he wasn’t wanted at the Tricolours.

“Everything was a little bit harder because I just finished a wedding and then I found out about all the news the morning after the wedding,” he said on Triple M.

“It was very hard and my emotions were a little bit touchy at that time.

“(I was aware of) none of it really. The journos know more than I do about the whole situation. Obviously there’s conversations happening in the background I’m not aware of.

“But I didn’t want to go, that’s all I’m saying. I didn’t want to go, I told my manager I wanted to stick it out and I find out that morning they wanted me gone.

“I don’t have any problems with them wanting me to go, I understand it from a business point of view but it was a real shock real quickly.”

Prior to that, Smith said on the The Bye Round Podcast: “It doesn’t seem like I’m very wanted” after it emerged the Rabbitohs were set to pay a transfer fee to secure his services.

“It’s going to be hard to go into training. It’s going to be a weird feeling. I still have to do that. I’m training with the reserve grade side this week,” he said.

“Things have been happening in the background but I haven’t been part of the negotiations.

“No one is answering their phone at the moment as well.”

Now, the only question now is where Smith will play for the Rabbitohs, with the 2020 premiership winner not fussed whether he plays hooker, lock or off the bench.

Brandon Smith hurt his knee in September, 2024. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

MORE NRL NEWS

BOMBSHELL: Hughes set to snub Bears’ $1.6m to re-sign... but it could force stars out

‘FACE TO SELL GAME’: Mal’s shock Bears push amid calls for Burgess team-up

TEAM TIPS: Madge’s big Mam call made easy after ugly Broncos injury blow

TALKERS: DCE called out over damaging whispers; Kev warning as Broncos implode

Cameron Murray will be the lock when he returns from injury next year, while Peter Mamouzelos was playing well before he hurt his elbow at Magic Round.

Smith’s versatility is one of his biggest strengths, and he’d gladly return as an impact player off the bench once he finally gets the green light to come back from his devastating knee injury.

“I’m 28 going on 29, so this contract isn’t about me,” he said.

“It’s about my career and me wanting to win games and put the club before myself.

“I want to win games whether I play lock or hooker or prop. Whatever Wayne needs, I’ll do it.”

“I’m not set on being a hooker and I’m not set on being a lock. I’d play on the bench if I had to. I just want to enjoy my football again and get back to form.”

Click here to read article