Brandon Smith’s NRL Future Uncertain as Roosters Exit and Club Interest Fades

Brandon Smith’s future in the NRL remains uncertain as speculation mounts about his post-2025 plans. The New Zealand international joined the Sydney Roosters in 2023 on a lucrative $850,000 per year deal but has struggled to meet expectations. Following six successful seasons and 107 games with the Melbourne Storm, Smith’s time at the Bondi-based club has been marked by inconsistency, raising doubts about his long-term tenure.

With reports suggesting the Roosters are unlikely to retain him beyond 2025, clubs across the NRL have been assessing their options. However, Manly Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov confirmed that his club will not be pursuing Smith’s signature.

“Obviously, we’ve got a good hooker in Lachlan Croker, and then there’s Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jake Simpkin off the bench,” Mestrov told Yahoo Sport Australia. “There’s some really good competition between those three, and we have high hopes for young Zaidas Muagututia. Brandon Smith is a quality player, but we have no plans to make a move on him. We don’t have room in the salary cap and are very happy with what we’ve got.”

While Manly has dropped out of the race, Smith has been linked to other clubs, including the North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Souths, in particular, have been reshaping their roster after freeing up cap space following Lachlan Ilias’ move to St. George Illawarra Dragons. They are also exploring options for injured skipper Cameron Murray, who could miss the start of the 2025 season.

Despite the rumors, Smith remains focused on delivering for the Roosters in 2025. Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, he stated, “My goal is to make sure I have the best year with the Roosters and show other clubs what I can bring. Right now, Roosters is my team, and I’m putting them first.”