Brandon Smith banished by Melbourne Storm in brutal punishment
Melbourne Storm forward Brandon Smith has revealed he was banished from the playing group and forced to train by himself for the entirety of his recent suspension.
Smith called referee Adam Gee a 'cheating bastard' during the Storm's 28-6 loss to Cronulla in Round 17 and was subsequently banned three weeks for his dissent.
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The 26-year-old revealed on Tuesday that he'd been forced to train away from the main squad, doing fitness for the duration of his ban.
The Kiwi international, who will join the Sydney Roosters next season, said the alienation for suspended players wasn't the norm.
"I think I was getting punished for not putting the team first," he said.
"The isolation is about making you feel guilty for your actions by taking away what you love most and for me in footy that's playing with my mates.
"They took that away from me and it sucks. It's been pretty hard, it's been a little grind - waking up early and training by yourself, it gets pretty boring.
"Just being able to hang out with the boys now it's like to be a little more grateful for being in a team sport."
Smith said it had been hard to watch Melbourne go through their four-game losing streak, which was ended with a win last round over the Warriors.
His suspension also meant Smith was unable to return home to Auckland, where his family are based, for the Storm's clash with the Warriors.
"It was extra hard watching the boys play and and lose knowing I couldn't really have an impact on what happened," he said.
"The next coming weeks are the last weeks I have here so hopefully I can go out on a good note.
"I just want to get back to playing some consistent footy."
Brandon Smith hoping to come back into Storm side
Smith is set to be named among the reserves for Melbourne's clash with Gold Coast at AAMI Park on Friday night.
It will be his first game back from suspension if he makes the 17.
"I haven't had a chance to train with them yet so I'm thinking I'll be on the bench," he admitted.
"It would be hard to take someone's spot from the game that we won."
Smith took issue with Gee's decision not to award his side a set restart midway through the second half of their loss to Cronulla.
He later appeared before the NRL judiciary and apologised.
"In the heat of the moment I was extremely frustrated and I took it out on the wrong person," he said.
"I said things that should never be said to an official.
"I will accept any consequence that (the judiciary) comes up with and I will accept it graciously.
"I am genuinely sorry to the game and to the referee."
with AAP
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