- NRL star is due to face Queensland court on September 18
The career of footy star Brandon Smith is on the line as he prepares to face charges for alleged drug dealing and an inside knowledge betting offence – but that hasn’t stopped the Rabbitohs hooker from enjoying a getaway in Noosa.
Smith, 29, has spent the past few days on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast as South Sydney have a bye this weekend in the NRL.
The popular holiday spot is also where the forward was involved in Melbourne’s ‘white powder scandal’ of 2021, which saw Smith questioned by the NRL Integrity Unit after he and then-teammate Cameron Munster were filmed in a hotel room with an unidentified white substance on a table.
Kiwi international Smith was later hit with a $50,000 suspended fine and a one-game ban over the scandal.
On Tuesday night, Smith was spotted having dinner at Betty’s Burgers in Noosa, 24 hours after the summons issued by Queensland police became public.
And then on Wednesday, footy fans saw Smith enjoying a few beers and playing the pokies at Noosa Surf Club.
Brandon Smith’s career is on the line as he prepares to face charges for alleged drug dealing and an inside knowledge betting offence – but it hasn’t stopped the Rabbitohs hooker from enjoying a getaway in Noosa this week
Smith (pictured left during his time with the Roosters) has spent the past few days on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
The Roosters have been unwittingly dragged into the scandal surrounding Smith (pictured right with Victor Radley)
His lawyer Paul McGirr confirmed Smith will plead not guilty to the charges from Queensland Police next month in Southport Magistrates Court.
‘At this stage the matter will be contested,’ McGirr told News Corp.
‘The allegation confirms Brandon wasn’t even in the jurisdiction of Queensland at the time of alleged offending.
‘The police have been extremely professional in dealing with Brandon and myself thus far and the matter will need to be left to run its natural course without outside influences.’
It comes as a series of Roosters stars have reportedly turned on their former teammate after the club was dragged into the scandal surrounding his charges for alleged drug dealing and disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Smith’s lawyer Paul McGirr also confirmed that another NRL star’s name is referred to within the court summons, and it is understood the player is Roosters lock Victor Radley.
Radley and other Roosters players were on a golf trip on the Sunshine Coast – just north of where Smith is having his break – at the time of Smith’s alleged drugs offence.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Radley or any of the players who travelled north over the Roosters’ round-14 bye weekend.
Brandon Smith is pictured with partner Isabella Williams during his time with the Roosters
The Roosters were dragged into the scandal this week when reports surfaced that star lock Victor Radley (pictured) is referred to within Smith’s court summons
Smith (pictured) will not be stood down by South Sydney or the NRL and is expected to play for the Rabbitohs against his old Roosters teammates on September 5
Now the manager of two Roosters stars has revealed the players’ reaction to the scandal.
‘It’s no secret that Brandon had issues off the field and the boys really took him under their wing,’ the manager told Wide World of Sports.
‘He is a very likeable larrikin who they found to be a lot of fun.
‘But all that has changed in the wake of all this – the players feel they have had their reputations damaged and are not happy.’
South Sydney have stood by Smith, with coach Wayne Bennett – a former policeman – adamant he will pick him to face the Roosters on September 5 at Allianz Stadium after the Rabbitohs’ bye.
