Brandon Smith has revealed that despite the Sydney Roosters pursuing Reece Robson, he remains committed to seeing out the remaining year on his deal in Bondi.
The New Zealand international, who is currently sidelined after rupturing an ACL at the business end of last season, has constantly been linked with a move away from the Chooks in recent times.
"My goal for next year is not to re-sign with the Roosters, my goal is to have the best year with the Roosters I possibly can," Smith said on the Jam & Cheese podcast.
"And I want to make sure other clubs - if they sign me - they know what they’re going to get."
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Brandon Smith dismisses Cowboys links while opening up on Roosters drama
The Roosters have undergone a mass upheaval with a host of club legends leaving the club following their 2024 campaign.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary are chief among the departures, although the list goes on with the likes of Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii also leaving.
In response, they reportedly made plays for Ryan Papenhuyzen and Ben Hunt before coming up empty-handed.
Yet the latest link appears to have more legs in it with Smith admitting that North Queensland hooker Robson is being courted by the club in what could be a possible swap deal.
"I know they’re going for Reece and stuff like that, but I understand it because it’s just a business at the end of the day," Smith said.
"Whether they want me gone this year or not, that’s up to them. But at the moment, my sole focus is the Roosters.
"I haven’t had any talks with North Queensland and I don’t even think my manager has spoken to anyone in Townsville at all," Smith continued.
"There are a few clubs we’ve spoken to but the Cowboys wasn’t one of them. I don’t think that option has really come up."
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Smith would be placed at extremely long odds of remaining in Bondi beyond the expiry of his three-year deal, which he signed back in 2022.
The former Melbourne star was hot property back then with the Storm keen on keeping him and the Dolphins also strongly chasing him ahead of their inaugural campaign.
However, he isn’t in such a strong position this time around at the negotiation table after suffering a serious knee injury in Round 26.
"I’m not in a rush to secure my future," Smith declared.
"But I definitely want to get a deal before I’m back playing.
"If I was to go out in, say Round 15 next season, and re-do my ACL, no one is going to sign me until post when I’m even back running. So, I definitely want to get my future sorted."
Meanwhile, Smith refused to rule out the prospect of his return from injury occurring while at another club in 2025.
"If I’m not wanted, if my skills are not wanted for this year, then I’d have to think about it," Smith said when asked if he could see himself moving in the summer.
"In my mind, I don’t want to go into that realm though and think about that stuff when I’m trying to put my team - the Roosters - first."
