Wayne Bennett detail comes to light as Brandon Smith linked to two high-profile NRL clubs

Brandon Smith is facing an ugly situation at the Roosters after the signing of Reece Robson, with previous links to Wayne Bennett coming back to light amid talks of an exit. The Cowboys took a huge blow on the weekend when it was confirmed Robson would leave the club at the end of next year and move back to NSW to join the Roosters.

The State of Origin No.9 is a huge win for the Roosters with the club looking for a big signing with plenty of salary cap space heading forward. Although it leaves current dummy-half Smith in limbo. Smith has reiterated his desire to remain in Sydney with the Roosters, but reports have suggested the club could let him negotiate with rival clubs soon.

Smith has attempted to shut down reports, but his contract with the Roosters ends in 2025. The 28-year-old is on a reported $900,000 a year at the Roosters, but question marks remain about his game and position at the club.

Former NRL player Justin Horo believes while Robson is a big signing for the Roosters, Smith's future is up in the air. "I love Robson, I think he is a great signing. They've been looking for a big name signing for a while," 'Scope' Horo said on SEN Radio on Monday night.

"I've been a huge Reece Robson fan for the last couple of years. He does all the tough stuff. I think Reece Robson is a better No.9 distributor than a guy like Cheese (Smith). If we are looking to the Roosters moving forward...all the chat has been around 'Cheese' in the last 12 months."

And Smith may have found his next club having been linked with Rabbitohs coach Bennett in the past. Horo recounted the detail of when Bennett made a play for Smith to join the Dolphins when he was coming off contract with the Melbourne Storm. Smith ended up joining the Roosters, but it meant Bennett was interested in signing the utility.

Could Brandon Smith find himself at South Sydney?

Veteran No.9 Damien Cook left the Rabbitohs and has joined the Dragons for 2025 and the club could be looking for a long-term replacement. And while there are question marks over where Smith's best position is on the footy field, Horo feels he could be a versatile No.9 going forward after he returns from his ACL injury.

"Wayne was part of the sweepstakes for 'Cheese' when he became available at Melbourne...he went up and did a tour of the Dolphins," he said. "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."

The Cowboys were initially linked with Smith for a potential trade deal with Robson. This fell apart and Smith also shut down a move north. The Eels are also in search for a starting No.9 with Smith also having a relationship with new coach Jason Ryles. The new Eels coach and Smith worked together during their time at the Melbourne Storm. Smith has not been asked to move on yet, but reports suggest he might not be offered a new contract after his current deal ending in 2025.

Brandon Smith hits out at Cowboys links

Only a couple of weeks ago, Smith quickly shut down a move to the Cowboys - where he played junior footy - and claimed his partner was settled in Sydney. The 28-year-old admitted he had no plans of returning to Queensland. "There's a few clubs we've spoken to and Cowboys wasn't one of them. I don't think that option's really come up," Smith said on his 'Bye Round Podcast'.

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"(The Robson rumour) doesn't really change anything for me at the moment. I still want to be at the Roosters, still want to be around Sydney, still want to be on The Bye Round podcast, don't want to be in Townsville in this blistering heat. To be fair, they can't force me to go there."