Brad Fittler touts Brandon Smith for Roosters after Boyd Cordner exit

[DP1990]

Link: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/sydney-...6-43acdfabed2f


A fair bit of noise about people within the NRL media etc suggesting that the Roosters make a play for Brandon Smith.


Would he be ideal ? Is he really a viable option to consider since we've already got Sam Verrills or has Sam's last 12 months on the sideline started to make people question whether he really can be the long-term replacement for Jake Friend ?


Should there be someone else like Dale Finucane that the Roosters consider instead for approx two years ? If we've got the money available then sure but it is really difficult to think logically whether we make a play for someone to bring in or make do with what we've got plus bolster our exisitng squad.


Although. ... the thought of Brandon Smith and Victor Radley together in the same side ? Is that too much juice in one team



Thoughts ?

[stringaz]

I can't go past verills, perhaps we need more depth at hooker, but Sam wouldn't wait behind the cheese.

[ism22]

The powers that be have decided that Harry Grant is the world's best hooker so the opportunity may well come up.

I'd certainly take him under the right circumstances, but not as a trade for one of our top-shelf players. Storm can source their own players... I hate clubs trying to do the old 'if you dump me, you have to match me up with one of your friends' kinda shyte. That's not how it works.

For now I'm happy with Sam V and Adam K. That said... if Brandon wants to come to Easts then IMO we should facilitate it. I hate a lot of Drizz players (some say irrationally) but he's gold. He makes Harry Grant look $1,000,000 by doing all the hard work to tire out the opposition.

[King Salvo]

Brandon Smith if he does leave the Storm will be after a guaranteed starting spot - DH i suppose and maybe some lock/backrow- Finucane according to reports will re-sign with the Storm for less dosh than others are offering.

I would assume they may look for some NRL standard outside backs to increase the depth in certain positions whilst the youngsters in the pathways develop as they do have depth in the Forwards including DH.

I don't think that Keighran is a DH myself due to the defensive workload required and Verrills/Lussick and possibly Benny M will cover that role plus some youngsters in the wings being developed. - Coby Thomas/ Thomas Deakin /Tyler Moriarty for instance- maybe some others Jessie M and possibly the Silktail player Penioni Tagituimua who is currently playing Reggies for the Bears.

[Johnny Brass]

I mentioned the cheese last year as someone we should look at recruiting he is an out and out winner, no one is harder to stop 5 metres out from the line and he belts blokes in defence.

[milanja]

Smith could easily demand $700k+ dogs could offer him that and more, doubt we are in the running.

[BUDDY]

Smith could easily demand $700k+ dogs could offer him that and more, doubt we are in the running.

All this talk that we have little cap space and then the next day we should go after Cheese.

They love talking about us yet have NFI how much we have available nor who we are after.

I smell a rat.

[ism22]

Smith could easily demand $700k+ dogs could offer him that and more, doubt we are in the running.

Yep and that's why Sammy V's my man.

If Brandon WANTED to be a Rooster (e.g. like Teddy, Walker and Suaalii... who all approached us saying 'hey do you have a spot? I don't wanna play for the Tigers/Brisbane/Souffs!!!') then fine. Pay him $500k (about what Jake was on?) and decide who outta Lam/Keighran/Verrills gets the cut.

I don't think his heart's set on joining us though. Thus, what's wrong with Sammy V? He's a great player and my heart sorta wanted Friend to leave so that we could lock him in long-term. Now we've got that chance so unless he's lost his confidence and plays like poo, IMO it's a no brainer. Keep the dude we poached from Manly & developed since he's an absolute gun.

[Rooster1908]

Smith could easily demand $700k+ dogs could offer him that and more, doubt we are in the running.

Most players who want to be successful would come to the Roosters for 500k even if the Dogs offered 700k .But imo we do need Smith anyway

[Johnny Tobin]

I think he is only a fill in hooker.

[zac]

smith's a great player and if he was happy to come to us for unders and not mainly play dh then i'd love to have him. don't think it will happen

[dice]

The powers that be have decided that Harry Grant is the world's best hooker so the opportunity may well come up.

I'd certainly take him under the right circumstances, but not as a trade for one of our top-shelf players. Storm can source their own players... I hate clubs trying to do the old 'if you dump me, you have to match me up with one of your friends' kinda shyte. That's not how it works.

For now I'm happy with Sam V and Adam K. That said... if Brandon wants to come to Easts then IMO we should facilitate it. I hate a lot of Drizz players (some say irrationally) but he's gold. He makes Harry Grant look $1,000,000 by doing all the hard work to tire out the opposition.

As did Friend in SOO. Even for the Tigers, Grant only had those great games when limited minutes.

[OMR]

smith's a great player and if he was happy to come to us for unders and not mainly play dh then i'd love to have him. don't think it will happen

He’d make an ideal bench player coming on and resting Radley, then switching to hooker to give Verrills a break. Ideal if he comes cheap.( I’m only saying this as I heard Liu will be getting a nice contract from the Sharks and we may let him go and let him cash in for his retirement)

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Smith is a freak of a ballrunner, but a shiit dummy half. Not a great defender either. I don't want him at the chooks, especially on big money. We don't have any spare money anyway so it's a waste of time having a shopping list.

[Random Rooster]

The Cheese & Rads on the field at the same time? FUN! He covers every position in the pack and everything he does is quality. Its a yes from me!