Brandon Smith has brushed aside claims that he has feuded with Storm coach Craig Bellamy and revealed he is taking a pay cut to join the Roosters next season.
In an extended interview with Phil Rothfield of News Corp., Smith called the report about him and Bellamy “absolute bulls**t”, spoke of the “regret” he feels about his infamous podcast interview, and busted all misconceptions about his move. to the Roosters.
Rothfield spoke of the “fascinating” interview on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast on Sunday.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free while playing on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I like him because he looks like Latrell (Mitchell). He’s not programmed, he talks the way he sees it,” he said.
The rumor mill went full blast when… The Sydney Morning Herald claimed Smith had “worn out his welcome to Melbourne”, while Bellamy failed to mention the star hooker’s name when he thanked the departing players at his latest press conference.
But Smith told News Corp there is no bad blood – in fact, the two shared a special moment in the sheds after the final loss of elimination.
“It was so emotional,” Smith said.
“Bellsa came over to talk to me and thanked me for everything I’ve done and I thanked him back.
“He kissed me on the forehead and said the nicest things. I just started roaring because I love the man. On the Monday after the game, we had a piss-up and shared great stories.”
He also took aim at the report because it suggested that he and Bellamy were not on good terms.
“When I saw that article last week… It was bullshit. To say something like that about our personal relationship… it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“It was hard to read because we’ve always had a special bond,” Smith said.
“Bellsa doesn’t mind having the odd larrikin around the club. He also has Munster and I think he enjoys it.
“People think he’s an angry man from what you see on TV. He is actually the opposite.
“He has a very soft side. I spent almost every day with him for six years. I would do anything for him. If he asked me to paint his house, I wouldn’t hesitate.
“From day one when I announced I was joining the Roosters, he was amazing. I walked into his office and he said he would never hold a grudge against me. He treated me like any other player.”
Smith, who admitted this year his form was “not good enough”, has now finished the Storm after six seasons and a premiership and will sign a three-year deal with the Roosters.
The Roosters defeated several other interested clubs, including the Dolphins.
MORE NRL NEWS
PROWL: Bunnies ‘Unravel’ After ‘Nightmare’ Twist, Ugly Broadcast As Panthers Enclose GF
SOUTH REVIEWS: Latrell, Walker go MIA as rookie half taught lesson from master
PANTHERS REVIEWS: Cleary’s Masterclass As To’o Stuns Amid Luai’s Mixture
‘MAKING IT UP’: Legends left heads scratching over ‘absolutely brutal’ bunker call
‘GRUBBY ACT’: Souths star fired for ‘disgusting’ broadcast, Panthers enforcers vape
Some have assumed Smith will enjoy a healthy pay raise when he makes the move to Bondi, but the 26-year-old revealed he will be making $100,000 less per season than he could have had had he re-signed to Bondi. the storm.
The Roosters deal is also $200,000 less per year than what the Dolphins were offering.
“A few people tried to suggest that I leave because I was hungry for money,” he said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Not a word of a lie, the Roosters’ offer was the lowest of all the clubs I spoke to. I promise you I took $200,000 less than the Dolphins and $100,000 less than the Storm offered.’
“I’m a competitive guy and I hate losing at cards, footy, PlayStation or whatever,” he said.
“I decided to go to the Roosters because it’s a competitive club where I could start with a hooker. That’s my favorite position. Money had nothing to do with it.
“Storm had Harry Grant and we can’t both play hookers.
“The opportunity to go through a full season prep with the Roosters as a hooker and then start as a hooker convinced me to join them.”
Before the Roosters even announced Smith’s autograph, the star whore dropped a bombshell on a podcast declaring, “I just looked at the Roosters jersey… saying, ‘I want to win a premiership in that jersey.'”
That comment, as well as other things like Smith saying drinking is “a big part of the culture”, infuriated Storm officials as he still had a season to go and the club issued a statement saying they were “deeply offended” goods.
Smith was also investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit for violent swearing on the podcast.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Apply now!!
He told News Corp that his intent was never to offend anyone and will “work on himself”.
“I absolutely regret it (the interview), but I can’t turn it back,” he said.
“Sometimes I don’t even understand things before I say it.
“My mouth just rattles. It’s who I am. It’s in my DNA.
“The people closest to me know that I would never intentionally say anything hurtful.
“I never even try to be funny. It’s just my personality.
“I’m not perfect and people have seen that. I wish I had a little more control over what I say and I’ll work on that.”
Smith knows he’ll be in even more of the limelight when he moves to Sydney, but that’s a challenge he’s happy to take on.
“Living in Melbourne, we get away with a little bit more if we get out and carry on a little bit,” he said.
“In Sydney I will be much more publicized and I will have to get my head around it. Public scrutiny is so different from Melbourne.
“I’m actually looking forward to adjusting to that. The change will do me good. It will be a good, positive change for me.”
0 Comments