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Bryan Fletcher makes huge call on Brandon Smith's future as Warriors development emerges

The NRL great believes the Roosters didn't utilise Smith correctly.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·3-min read

NRL great Bryan Fletcher believes Trent Robinson has played Brandon Smith the wrong way and that he is still an absolute gun despite struggling to live up to his $900,000 price tag at the Roosters. The Tri Colours No.9 is reportedly on the hunt for a new club after the club vocalised he is unlikely to get a new deal for 2026 and beyond.

And Smith's fate was all but sealed after Reece Robson agreed to join the club for 2026 and beyond. It means the 28-year-old has all but certainly played his final game for the Roosters after his 2024 season ended in disaster, suffering an ACL injury in round 26 against Canberra. Smith isn't expected to be available to play until August.

Pictured Brandon Smith
NRL great Bryan Fletcher believes the Roosters have played Brandon Smith the wrong way. Image: Getty

Fletcher says Smith's reputation has been harmed through Trent Robinson playing him at hooker and with limited minutes and believes if he can secure a move to a club such as the Warriors or Souths and play at No.13 he will shine. "He's not a hooker, he's a lock," Fletcher said on SEN.

"I think they were playing him wrong at the Chooks, he'd start the game and then wouldn't come back until the last 15 minutes. I could see Souths grabbing him. Imagine Wayne grabbing him and round 1 2026 he's ready to go."

Smith will likely garner plenty of interest from rival clubs despite his below-par performances in recent years. And Fletcher believes he would be a quality addition to any club in need of a lock. "They have publicly come out and said it looks likely he won't be there in 2026," Fletcher said on SEN.

"But I reckon if you are a club it is the perfect time to get him now because he won't play this year. He'll get all the rehab, he's not back until August. So I would suggest getting him in now. For the Warriors he'd be a great get... As well as (the Warriors) I could also see Souths grabbing him. Imagine Wayne grabbing him and round 1 2026 he's ready to go.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Brandon Smith of the Roosters is helped off the field with an injury during the round 26 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium, on September 01, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Brandon Smith has likely played his last game for the Roosters after rupturing his ACL last year. Image: Getty

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Earlier this year Wayne Bennett said Smith was “too expensive” to bring to Redfern but with the utility set to become a free agent that may no longer be the case. The veteran coach has long been an admirer of Smith and could hand him a new lease on life.

The master coach previously attempted to recruit him as the Dolphins’ marquee signing ahead of the club’s debut NRL season in 2023. Smith even toured the Dolphins' facilities and even reportedly went as far as telling Bennett he was willing to sign, before eventually backflipping and joining the Roosters.

But with the hooker set to test the NRL market and coming at a discounted rate, Bennett may finally get his man. And former NRL player Justin Horo believes he would fit like a glove at Redfern.

"Wayne was part of the sweepstakes for 'Cheese' when he became available at Melbourne...he went up and did a tour of the Dolphins," Horo said last month. "I think Cheese is a No.9. He is never going to be the Cameron Smith No.9, but I think he is a No.9 with the ability to play lock."