Phil Gould believes a change of scenery will benefit Brandon Smith as the off-contract star edges closer to a move away from the Sydney Roosters.
And the Bulldogs boss turned the blowtorch on his former club for some strange recruitment decisions in recent years.
The 28-year-old was told in pre-season that his current deal wouldn’t be extended, with the Tricolours opting to throw big money at NSW Blues hooker Reece Robson.
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Smith is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury, but has attracted the interest of rivals South Sydney, who look poised to land the Kiwi international for the 2026 season, if not sooner.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, the former Roosters coach admitted Smith’s personality was like “oil and water” with the club, but is adamant a fresh set of eyes could see the premiership winner return to his best.
Brandon Smith will leave the Roosters at season’s end. Getty
“I’ve never met Brandon Smith – I only see what we see on TV,” Gould said.
“I don’t think he’s malicious in anything he does, I just think he’s a fun-loving kid who is a really good footballer. A little bit like oil and water with the Roosters, it hasn’t really worked out for them and now he’s had this injury.
“I think whoever gets Brandon Smith next will probably get the best of him. The experiences of being at Melbourne and then moving on and going to the Roosters and it not working out for him, hopefully that settles him down and steels him.
“If he was to get to South Sydney under Wayne Bennett, that would be a great help.”
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Smith’s failed stint has put a major spotlight on the club’s recruitment and retention, with the Roosters now feeling the effects of a major roster overhaul.
Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua were both forced out of the club at the end of last year, while the likes of Joseph Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves moved on.
While it certainly wasn’t the only issue, Gould is of the belief that Smith’s desire to play hooker has had an impact on the Chooks and the overall balance of their squad.
“They bought him as a hooker and I don’t think he’s that,” the Bulldogs boss said.
“They let Sam Verrills go, who I think is a really good hooker.
“I’m not sure what they thought they were getting when they bought (Smith), but they kind of had [Victor] Radley there and I thought how do you fit them into the same team?
Sam Verrills was let go by the Roosters to make room for Brandon Smith. Getty
“If I’ve got one criticism of the Roosters in recent years, they have held on to some older players for too long and they haven’t transitioned younger players quick enough.
“I’ve often questioned why they would bring back Michael Jennings or buy Chad Townsend or be chasing someone like Dane Gagai. They have probably tried to hold onto their winning run for too long and that’s cost them.
“They have got some wonderful talent coming through the system and they’ve just got to trust it. They’ve got to learn to lose with it and then they will learn to win with it.”
Things got off to a shaky start for Trent Robinson’s men in round one, copping a 50-14 loss against the Broncos – and it won’t get any easier on Friday against the Panthers.
