{"id":50555,"date":"2025-06-26T14:36:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letsportsrock.com\/?p=50555"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:37:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:37:00","slug":"good-news-brandon-smith-of-sydney-roosters-just-commit-to-dragons-to-bolster-up-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letsportsrock.com\/?p=50555","title":{"rendered":"Good News: Brandon Smith of Sydney Roosters just commit to Dragons to Bolster Up squad\u2026\u2026\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Brandon Smith, the hard\u2011running Kiwi hooker, has completed a mid\u2011season switch from the Sydney Roosters to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Originally set to join the Rabbitohs in 2026 on a two\u2011year deal, Smith\u2019s transfer was fast\u2011tracked\u2014South Sydney reportedly paid up to A\\$180,000 to buy him out early, even though he\u2019s sidelined with a torn ACL and won\u2019t return for around seven weeks ([en.wikipedia.org][1]).<\/p>\n

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The Roosters formally granted him an immediate release on May 13, citing salary\u2011cap pressures and depth at hooker\u2014Connor Watson and Zach Dockar\u2011Clay had performed well in his place ([roosters.com.au][2]). Despite the sudden move, both clubs handled it professionally. Sydney\u2019s recruitment head, Daniel Anderson, thanked Smith for his impact, while Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett praised his talent, leadership and versatility ([roosters.com.au][2]).<\/p>\n

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Smith confirmed the early switch on *The Bye Round* podcast, admitting he felt \u201cunwanted\u201d at the Roosters but appreciative of validation from Bennett ([news.com.au][3]). With experience at Melbourne Storm and international caps for New Zealand, Smith brings premiership pedigree and fierce running metres to South Sydney\u2019s forward pack. His early arrival gives the Bunnies more depth as they push for a late\u2011season surge.<\/p>\n

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  Brandon Smith, the hard\u2011running Kiwi hooker, has completed a mid\u2011season switch from the Sydney Roosters to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Originally set to join the Rabbitohs in 2026 on a two\u2011year deal, Smith\u2019s transfer was fast\u2011tracked\u2014South Sydney reportedly paid up to A\\$180,000 to buy him out early, even though he\u2019s sidelined with a torn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50556,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nGood News: Brandon Smith of Sydney Roosters just commit to<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Good News: Brandon Smith of Sydney Roosters just commit to Dragons to Bolster Up squad\u2026\u2026....................\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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