Brandon Smith

[Rooster_6]

I had my concerns about signing Smith when it was first announced but the first 2 rounds have absolutely no bearing on my opinion.

He deserves time to find his place and role in the team. As Robbo said he was signed for his ability to get out of dummy half, earn quick play the balls and give space to our playmakers. We all know he is capable of that but has had limited opportunity to show that so far.

[FlamingRooster]

He's untested at NRL level apparently, but was Dally M Hooker of the Year in 2021.

he probably only ever watched the roosters

[Rooster36]

Worst recruit in roosters history???

[Danish]

He’s joined us right when our pack is falling apart, so he’s not going to have the same platform that has allowed hookers to shine for us the last 5 years.

I can see 2023-2024 being tough seasons for him until we sort our forward stocks out

[ism22]

He’s joined us right when our pack is falling apart, so he’s not going to have the same platform that has allowed hookers to shine for us the last 5 years.

I can see 2023-2024 being tough seasons for him until we sort our forward stocks out

Soon enough he'll have JWH, Lodge, Collins, Crichton, Butcher, Rads, Watson, Brown, Sitili, Napa...etc (and not be injured in the back).

He'll come good. Hasn't even played yet due to injuries!

[roosterproud]

im not a fan but his defence is worth what we paid alone. he will grow as the confidence does with our team. and the returning injured

[Danish]

Soon enough he'll have JWH, Lodge, Collins, Crichton, Butcher, Rads, Watson, Brown, Sitili, Napa...etc (and not be injured in the back).

He'll come good. Hasn't even played yet due to injuries!

we are going from JWH, Taka, and Liu to Collins, Lodge, and Butcher in the space of 2 seasons.

I can’t understate just how massive a downgrade that is

[Andrew Walker]

I think he will come good

[HunchoRooster]

He has played about 40mins of footy for us, 30 of them carrying injury. He will be fine.

[ism22]

we are going from JWH, Taka, and Liu to Collins, Lodge, and Butcher in the space of 2 seasons.

I can’t understate just how massive a downgrade that is

Tauks and Liu were certainly two big losses... assuming neither were on big coin?

That said, Collins (who was an absolute beast last week in a team with almost no other starting forwards) is an incumbent Kangaroo and Lodge probably would be too if not for his off-field incidents (which I suspect may permanently rule him out of leadership positions and rep jerseys).

Not sure who to compare as Liu wasn't here in 2022, however I see Collins and Lodge as being an upgrade when compared with Liu and Tauks.

The only downgrade is when I think about the days where we had something like...

8. JWH
9. Friend
10. SST
11. Cords
12. Maubs
13. Rads

14. Liu
15. Matterson
16. Tetevano
17. Napa (pre-crackdown era)

In that equation we lost Cords, Maubs, Matto, Liu, Friend, SST and Tetevano without getting any real eye for an eye replacements. To be fair though, we developed a lot of players... just like we're doing with the current crop of youngsters. Guys like May are only a 'downgrade' until one or two of them come good.

[Waylander]

I am not sure if Brandon Smith is money well spent . Seems to be to slow out of dummy half and lacks creativity around the ruck . He is untested at NRL level , as he was always behind Cameron Smith and now Harry Grant . His best position is off the bench as a impact forward , so is the the money well spent . We should have gone after Api from the Tigers or Reed Mahoney .

Dally M hooker of the year and a current International in the position.

Large Mike strikes again!!

[roosterchook]

I think he’s far from fit. So far his most outstanding performance I’ve noticed is ‘his hands on hips from being tired.’. Let’s hope we didn’t buy damaged goods.

[GrubBER]

NRL PHYSIO@nrlphysio

Scans on Brandon Smith's ribs have cleared him of serious injury - will be monitored leading into Round 3. Mostly a pain management issue, but one of the most painful injuries + aggravation risk is there for weeks

[zac]

a front row of lodge, smith and jwh is as good we've had

[mightyrooster]

NRL PHYSIO@nrlphysio

Scans on Brandon Smith's ribs have cleared him of serious injury - will be monitored leading into Round 3. Mostly a pain management issue, but one of the most painful injuries + aggravation risk is there for weeks

Positive news. I think. At least there are no broken bones.