A Melbourne Storm star’s availability sent rival teams scrambling, but one NRL journo believes the race to snare him is down to two.
Two frontrunners have emerged in the race to secure the signature of wantaway Melbourne Storm star Brandon Smith.
Smith was given permission to negotiate with clubs for a new contract from 2021 and beyond and rivals have been lining up ever since.
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Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire confirmed the club’s interest in adding Smith to their squad, labelling him someone that every player “loves to play with”.
“Definitely, yeah. He’s a very good hooker, I’ve got a lot of time for how he plays the game,” Maguire said.
“He’s played a very different role down there (Melbourne) because of the circumstance but the time that he’s been with myself at the Kiwis he’s been excellent.
“He’s one of those players that everyone loves to play with but his craft around that space, he’s very smart.”
Brent Read, rugby league journalist for The Australian, however believes the race for his services is down to two clubs. The Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast Titans.
“I’m told by people close to Brandon Smith that he wants to be in South East Queensland,” Read said on Triple M.
“I know the Broncos are really interested in Brandon Smith and he is really interested in the Broncos.
“There was a bit going on this week behind the scenes at Brisbane. They were trying to sort out if it was a realistic proposition.
“He has got family up there and I think his parents are moving to South East Queensland. His preference is to be in South East Queensland, so that means you need to be at the Titans or the Broncos.
“At the moment I think those two clubs are the frontrunners to get him.”
Read however says the clubs won’t be looking to try and lure him North earlier over fears of what they’d have to give up.
“I don’t think they will get him for next year because the Storm want something in return,” Read said.
“They have got players that they can potentially swap, but I’m not sure they are overly keen on doing that.
“So I think we might have to wait 12 months, but they are the two clubs that are frontrunners to get him. Canterbury are also in the mix, but I’m told he wants to be in South East Queensland.”
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