Brandon Smith has only been at South Sydney a matter of days, but has already seen enough to declare: “This club definitely suits my personality more.”
Smith’s mid-season move from the Sydney Roosters to bitter rivals Souths was completed on Wednesday, with the premiership-winning hooker reporting for training at Heffron Park early on Thursday morning.
Among his first impressions of the Rabbitohs set-up were how laid-back things were and the number of big characters, including coach Wayne Bennett, which reminded him of life at the Melbourne Storm.
“I can’t tell you if Wayne will get the best out of me, or if Souths can get the best out of me,” Smith said. “It’s about me getting the best out of myself. But based on my introduction to the club, Souths definitely suit my personality more.
“Souths suit a larrikin like myself. I can’t explain it. I’m a talkative bloke, I talk a lot on the field, but then you have a guy like Wayne wanting to pull me up for a chat. Wayne’s a very casual guy. There’s that kind of vibe.
“‘Robbo’ [Trent Robinson] is an outstanding coach, tactically he’s amazing, but I was never prepared for the difference in culture that I had come from in Melbourne.
South Sydney recruit Brandon Smith already feels at home at Heffron Park.Credit: South Sydney Rabbitohs
“Melbourne was very laid-back. A lot of people think Craig Bellamy is this angry guy, but he’s good fun. He’s hilarious. Wayne is like an older version of Craig. I just feel like I belong in these colours.”
Plenty of Souths fans will consider Smith a risk given the way his spell at the Roosters worked out and the fact he is returning from a ruptured ACL.
Smith knows there will be sceptics, but said: “There’s always a risk. Everyone will have their concerns. Roosters fans probably think [I was a risk] now. But I’m not worried about them. I’m only worried about what I can do for Souths.
“I want to repay Wayne. He put a lot of faith in me. Obviously, there’s the story with Redcliffe [Smith backflipped on a move to the Bennett-coached Dolphins to sign for the Roosters in 2021].
The 28-year-old Brandon Smith is eyeing a round-16 returnCredit: South Sydney Rabbitohs
“That is probably playing a part in me wanting to get the best out of myself for Wayne.”
Vision of a smiling Smith running freely at training emerged on Thursday. Smith hopes to make his return against his former club Melbourne in round 16.
Smith, whose locker-room neighbours include Mikaele Ravalawa and Bud Sullivan, said he did not care if he plays dummy-half, lock or prop. Hooker Peter Mamouzelos is out at least six weeks with a dislocated elbow, while Jye Gray offers a stop-gap dummy-half solution off the bench for at least the next month.
“It’s team-first mentality – I’ll play where’s best for the team,” Smith said.
Latrell Mitchell posted footage to Instagram of he and Smith embracing before training. Smith famously mocked Mitchell during a game against the Storm in 2022, but the pair quickly moved on, and later became friends as they both experienced their share of headlines.
The prospect of a fit Smith, Mitchell and Cody Walker combining in the spine will give Souths plenty of firepower in the back half of the year.
As for playing with Mitchell rather than against him, Smith said: “I have lot of time for Latrell. He’s misunderstood in the media. I know the real Latrell and what he brings. He’s a match-winner. Hopefully he brings the best out of me, and I can bring the best out of him.”
Bennett recently said of Smith: “We have a few big personalities here, so he won’t be out of place.
“I’m sure they’ll get along well. We’ll make that happen. He’ll be wanted here. We’ll welcome him with open arms.”
Should Souths defeat the Wests Tigers on Sunday evening, they’ll enter next week’s bye round with a 6-5 record, an amazing effort considering the injuries they have had to start the year.
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