Rumour Brandon smith done deal

[Noeasyday]

Apparently went to roosters less money

Don't they all?

 

[KiwiDog7]

If it happens my money is it being Jackson, a direct replacement for Dale and I believe the dogs won’t be against it.

I reckon Elliott or RFM perhaps even Thommo

 

[off-tap-robbie]

Melbourne have tabled a long-term extension to Brandon Smith as the Storm look to close the door on a number of potential suitors, including the Broncos and this week’s rivals the Titans.

The NRL premiers have begun negotiations on a three-year upgrade to keep Smith in Melbourne until 2025 in the lead-up to Thursday night’s clash against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

Speculation is rife Smith is poised to quit the Storm, with the Titans consistently linked with the Kiwi Test ace, while the Bulldogs are eyeing off the 25-year-old to spearhead their Belmore revolution.

The Broncos are also considering their hooking options and will have more cash to spend under the salary cap at the end of next year, when Smith‘s current Melbourne deal expires.

But the Storm insist the blockbusting ball-runner is going nowhere, tabling a new deal to ensure the utility forward dynamo stays loyal in the post-Cameron Smith era.

The Titans have braced for missing out on Smith by signing Melbourne’s third-string hooker Aaron Booth to boost their dummy-half stocks.

A product of Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Booth, 25, has played six NRL games and will join the Titans next year.

The Titans have a high opinion of hooker Erin Clark but are yet to offer off-contract veteran Mitch Rein a new deal.


Smith, 25, has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 tries in 20 games for the Storm.

He will be rested for the Titans game as Storm coach Craig Bellamy looks to freshen up his team as they chase back-to-back premierships.

Storm football chief Frank Ponissi said the club was not concerned about speculation linking Smith to rival clubs.

“All that speculation comes from outside the club, we’re not worried about the external noise,” he said.

“Brandon will be off contract next year like any player, but he has indicated he wants to stay and we want to keep him so we said let‘s do a deal.

“We will work together with Brandon to make sure we keep him here beyond next year.

“Like any club, you try not to lose your best players and Brandon is in great form. He is really happy off the field here and that’s reflected in his form on the field.

“Brandon is very determined to have a big finals series and that’s his immediate focus, but we’re confident he will stay at the Storm.”

Smith was expected to seek an exit from the Storm due to the rise of Queensland Origin hooker Harry Grant following Cameron Smith’s retirement.

But the Smith-Grant alliance has proven to be a deadly combination for Melbourne, with Bellamy finding a way to make two of the NRL’s top hookers fire in the one team.

That could see Smith commit his future to the Storm, with Ponissi declaring the Kiwi dynamo was becoming a leader at Melbourne.

“Brandon is very happy here and he is the heart and soul of the joint,” he said.

“His leadership levels have gone to another level.

“Brandon is the ultimate prankster, he plays up to a lot of the contract talk and thrives on it.

“When we finish the season, we will get serious about keeping Brandon at the club.”

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[Bazildog]

Melbourne have tabled a long-term extension to Brandon Smith as the Storm look to close the door on a number of potential suitors, including the Broncos and this week’s rivals the Titans.

The NRL premiers have begun negotiations on a three-year upgrade to keep Smith in Melbourne until 2025 in the lead-up to Thursday night’s clash against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

Speculation is rife Smith is poised to quit the Storm, with the Titans consistently linked with the Kiwi Test ace, while the Bulldogs are eyeing off the 25-year-old to spearhead their Belmore revolution.

The Broncos are also considering their hooking options and will have more cash to spend under the salary cap at the end of next year, when Smith‘s current Melbourne deal expires.

But the Storm insist the blockbusting ball-runner is going nowhere, tabling a new deal to ensure the utility forward dynamo stays loyal in the post-Cameron Smith era.

The Titans have braced for missing out on Smith by signing Melbourne’s third-string hooker Aaron Booth to boost their dummy-half stocks.

A product of Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Booth, 25, has played six NRL games and will join the Titans next year.

The Titans have a high opinion of hooker Erin Clark but are yet to offer off-contract veteran Mitch Rein a new deal.


Smith, 25, has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 tries in 20 games for the Storm.

He will be rested for the Titans game as Storm coach Craig Bellamy looks to freshen up his team as they chase back-to-back premierships.

Storm football chief Frank Ponissi said the club was not concerned about speculation linking Smith to rival clubs.

“All that speculation comes from outside the club, we’re not worried about the external noise,” he said.

“Brandon will be off contract next year like any player, but he has indicated he wants to stay and we want to keep him so we said let‘s do a deal.

“We will work together with Brandon to make sure we keep him here beyond next year.

“Like any club, you try not to lose your best players and Brandon is in great form. He is really happy off the field here and that’s reflected in his form on the field.

“Brandon is very determined to have a big finals series and that’s his immediate focus, but we’re confident he will stay at the Storm.”

Smith was expected to seek an exit from the Storm due to the rise of Queensland Origin hooker Harry Grant following Cameron Smith’s retirement.

But the Smith-Grant alliance has proven to be a deadly combination for Melbourne, with Bellamy finding a way to make two of the NRL’s top hookers fire in the one team.

That could see Smith commit his future to the Storm, with Ponissi declaring the Kiwi dynamo was becoming a leader at Melbourne.

“Brandon is very happy here and he is the heart and soul of the joint,” he said.

“His leadership levels have gone to another level.

“Brandon is the ultimate prankster, he plays up to a lot of the contract talk and thrives on it.

“When we finish the season, we will get serious about keeping Brandon at the club.”

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“Brandon is focused on the finals, and after the season is over”..?

He has not committed to the Storm, it’s still game on.

 

[Bulldog1966]

“Brandon is focused on the finals, and after the season is over”..?

He has not committed to the Storm, it’s still game on.

More noise and standard chitter chat this story(i dont even think it's a new development)so it's still game on alright, just depends on whether he wants to earn an extra mill or so over the next 4 years AND play his preferred position of 9..and the added challenge of leading a new club to premiership glory after winning comps for fun where he is now.

 

[Pity Fool]

No chance. Watson is there for his utility value, won't be first choice in any position but would likely be second choice in a few like hooker, 5/8 or lock.

So basically Watson is going back to the Roosters for the same reason he left them in the first place FKN LOL to that... what a moot

 

[bradyk]

So basically Watson is going back to the Roosters for the same reason he left them in the first place FKN LOL to that... what a moot

He only averaged 25 minutes off the bench back then. I'd say those minutes will be doubled this time around finding himself at lock/hooker. He'll also have the occasional big minute role due to injuries. His role won't be too much different to what he's been doing at the Knights all year and he's going to be doing it in a top 4 team.

 

[El Padrino]

Brandon Smith is coming home

 

[D- voice]

Brandon Smith is coming home

Is that Belmore ?
Maybe so, since Watson is going back to the Rorters it looks promising

 

[The DoggFather]

“Brandon is focused on the finals, and after the season is over”..?

He has not committed to the Storm, it’s still game on.

I told you guys about 2 months ago that he said he will make up his mind in November.

 

[D.O.W.]

Melbourne cannot match our offer and I doubt he will continue taking unders, he sacrificed a lot behind Cam Smith and when his time arrived, Harry Grant became a phenom, now he has to get belted playing lock or forward, doesn’t look like fun, he’ll be smart and take the good money on offer in his preferred position.

Also, the Storm gave him permission to negotiate with other clubs indicating to Smithy, they prefer Harry, that’s a kick in the guts…

 

[King Gus]

What's the blue cheese joke?

Blue cheese is a strand of weed. A very good weed.

 

[Mr T]

Melbourne cannot match our offer and I doubt he will continue taking unders, he sacrificed a lot behind Cam Smith and when his time arrived, Harry Grant became a phenom, now he has to get belted playing lock or forward, doesn’t look like fun, he’ll be smart and take the good money on offer in his preferred position.

Also, the Storm gave him permission to negotiate with other clubs indicating to Smithy, they prefer Harry, that’s a kick in the guts…

Watson had a starting role at Knights and took less money, shorter term contract to join a better team in the Roosters. People are naive to think Cheese won't stay at the Storm for less money, shorter contracts without a guaranteed starting role in order to have a better chance at premierships.

 

[D.O.W.]

Watson had a starting role at Knights and took less money, shorter term contract to join a better team in the Roosters. People are naive to think Cheese won't stay at the Storm for less money, shorter contracts without a guaranteed starting role in order to have a better chance at premierships.

And good luck to him if he does, but the reality is, he’s going to be shifted as an undersized lock or second rower at some point playing with Harry which doesn’t do his body any favours and he’ll want to finish his career relatively healthy whilst setting up his family financially..I feel this is more important to him since he’s already won two, but hey, he can absolutely stay for less, very possible.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Watson had a starting role at Knights and took less money, shorter term contract to join a better team in the Roosters. People are naive to think Cheese won't stay at the Storm for less money, shorter contracts without a guaranteed starting role in order to have a better chance at premierships.

Of course he would stay for "less", the real question is how much less? And then for how long, they have apparently offered 3 years, so if someone else offers 4 years or 5 years is that enough "more"?

Always a Bulldog

 

[Mr T]

Of course he would stay for "less", the real question is how much less? And then for how long, they have apparently offered 3 years, so if someone else offers 4 years or 5 years is that enough "more"?

Always a Bulldog

I don't know. It'll come down to Cheese's preference really. Personally, I don't think anything more than 3 years is smart for spine players (from their perspective). He'll be worth far more after 2-3 years again, so better to have the opportunity to test the market more often.

 

[bradyk]

I don't know. It'll come down to Cheese's preference really. Personally, I don't think anything more than 3 years is smart for spine players (from their perspective). He'll be worth far more after 2-3 years again, so better to have the opportunity to test the market more often.

When another clubs willing to pay you overs and it's around the 1m mark I think you should be taking as many years as you can get. It's a massive risk as a player to come to a team like ours atm (a risk your value drops by the end of your contract).

 

[bulldogsfan_88]

And good luck to him if he does, but the reality is, he’s going to be shifted as an undersized lock or second rower at some point playing with Harry which doesn’t do his body any favours and he’ll want to finish his career relatively healthy whilst setting up his family financially..I feel this is more important to him since he’s already won two, but hey, he can absolutely stay for less, very possible.

It the same “less” that Watson went to the Roosters for. It’s the we will pay you this officially and we will chuck in a boat, a house, a car, brown paper bags and all the girls you want on the side

 

[Mr T]

When another clubs willing to pay you overs and it's around the 1m mark I think you should be taking as many years as you can get. It's a massive risk as a player to come to a team like ours atm (a risk your value drops by the end of your contract).

I agree to an extent, but certain players will be worth more than 1M soon enough. I think Cheese could be one of those. It just depends on how confident he is that he'll get a higher pay packet down the track.

 

[D.O.W.]

It the same “less” that Watson went to the Roosters for. It’s the we will pay you this officially and we will chuck in a boat, a house, a car, brown paper bags and all the girls you want on the side

And the Bulldogs can play that game too yeah, but adding in more cars, boats and brown paper bags ;-)