Roosters not expected to extend Brandon Smith's contract beyond 2025

[Vasco]

Mitch Aubbo really looking to put his stamp on the club. First Terrell and now Cheese, looks like we are clearing players that don't fit the 'Roosters image' whatever thatb may be.

That's a good thing.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Looks like Ben is coming for 2 years.

I'd he happy with that. He's a quality player with that elusive kicking game fans have been wanting.

[worldbe3]

This was always going to happen, he was on somewhere from 850-950k. He’s probably worth half of that. I think they would have moved him on this off season if he wasn’t injured.

[roosterproud]

Looks like Ben is coming for 2 years.

[The Lip]

Everybody, objectively, where does he rank amongst our worst ever signings? Noting he was a marquee signing so should be graded as such.

I know it's not over yet but keep in kind he is out for most of next season with a double knee injury and short of him coming back for 10 games and leading us to a premiership, he has gotta go down as one of the biggest disappointments in our great history.

I say this as someone who likes Brandon as a player and seems a decent person.

Hahahaha - we should get Big Dogs top 10 on this one!

[The Real King]

Gee.. another inspiring media article heading into next year.

Just what the club needs to bring a new young team together for 2025.

With B.Smith likely missing at least 1/2 of next year can you really see him motivated & excited to rip in on his return with this news?

IMO I can already feel 2025 is going to be a shocker.

Would you feel the same way if Bellamy was our coach or Ivan?
They manage to find no names and young kids to step up, why can't we.

Rather than buying big names and turning them into average players...let's try the opposite next year.

[Eggspert]

Gee.. another inspiring media article heading into next year.

Just what the club needs to bring a new young team together for 2025.

With B.Smith likely missing at least 1/2 of next year can you really see him motivated & excited to rip in on his return with this news?

IMO I can already feel 2025 is going to be a shocker.

[Chook2]

I agree with most of what you have said, but I don't think Jason Taumalolo is the best example to use. He was a beast performing at elite levels every year until Todd 'smiley' Payten became the Cowboys coach. Payten decided to change the way he played, where he played and reduced his minutes which had a really negative impact on him and his form. He also has a degenerative disease in his knees which has also had an impact on him.

I couldn’t bellieve payten either he is so narrow minded
taumololo was the greatest running mrt eater forward and he tried to turn him back to just a standard front row rotation
you only had to see the way he played for Tonga again on the weekend making 200mtr
at another club he would be better and he is several seasons in now so at least the first 5 before payten he was still performing

[mightyrooster]

I honestly never wanted him from the start. He was such a high risk signing and a loose cannon off the field.

[Funky Chicken]

A Chance to go with the youth and have them primed to shine and hungry for success.

A stack of those Penrith players when they came into NRL were not on big money, but over time via contract extensions, they are reaping the financial rewards of their hard work.

Dylan Edwards, for example: on 200k or thereabouts, then went to 450k and now 850k.

Whereas Walsh jumps from 450k a season to a 4-year, $1.250 million a season contract—is he going to work hard on his game prep and on match day when on such money?

Already making big money, so what's his incentive now—very much risk and reward with players on such big money.

Jason Taumalolo, for example, has not been the same player he was after signing his 10-year, one million-a-season contract.

Need to dangle that carrot ($$$$) in front of players so they work for it instead of giving it to them on a platter and not having to work for it.

I agree with most of what you have said, but I don't think Jason Taumalolo is the best example to use. He was a beast performing at elite levels every year until Todd 'smiley' Payten became the Cowboys coach. Payten decided to change the way he played, where he played and reduced his minutes which had a really negative impact on him and his form. He also has a degenerative disease in his knees which has also had an impact on him.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

The guy has been average at best and to be honest he seems very unlikable. I was for the signing but he just isn't a Rooster and never will be imo.

[Chook2]

With smith leaving end of 2025 including May that will be close to $5m in cap gone in 2 seasons
a lot of money but there is huge pressure to get the 1-2 key singings right
and also a chance if a rookie steps up they might be in for a good pay rise

[King Salvo]

Robbo knew better than Bellamy trying to turn a bench hooker into a starter. Robbo knew better than Cleary trying to turn a bench prop into a starter. Still not as bad as trying to turn Angus into the best centre in the world. I wouldn't be blaming the players for someone else's pipedream.

Brandon Smith was Dally M Hooker if the year 2021 so not without reason to consider him as starting hooker - Harry Grant is a more than handy dummy half one can also say

Spencer Leniu - a lot of forwards start off as interchange players and Penrith did had 2 or 3 handy props as starters during his time at Penrith - It took JWH 2 seasons to become a regular starting prop for the Roosters - 2012

Who was trying to turn Angus into the best centre in the world?

[Chook2]

Everybody, objectively, where does he rank amongst our worst ever signings? Noting he was a marquee signing so should be graded as such.

I know it's not over yet but keep in kind he is out for most of next season with a double knee injury and short of him coming back for 10 games and leading us to a premiership, he has gotta go down as one of the biggest disappointments in our great history.

I say this as someone who likes Brandon as a player and seems a decent person.

Yeah shame this makes more sense though as he has been average on and off the field by the sounds of it and double the pay packet compared to May
I don’t know what happened in 2022 as he was dally m hooker of the year in 2021
just gets gassed to quickly
don’t think it will be the worst but it certainly won’t be a Cronk SBW, Teddy signing
im just looking forward but also hoping we nail the replacement $ wise

[Chook2]

I'll be very surprised if Cows let Robson go however if he does want to come back to Sydney I'd happily have him. Absolute gun. Would be chasing a similar sized contract to what the Cheese is reportedly on ($850K), potentially more.

Other lower value players id be keeping an eye on is Jayden Brailey & Brendan Hands.

If Brailey has all his bad injury luck out of the way and can string games together, signing him on $400-$500K would we worth a shot. Brendan Hands wouldn't command any more than that and from the glimpses I've seen of him he looks classy.

Yes more a pipe dream if for some reason he wanted to get back to Sydney
makes more sense to why we may at least offer hunt a big 2 year deal as well - not that it’s long term but it will cover 2026