Antics by ‘Cheese’ grate with the Storm
Kiwi Brandon “Cheese” Smith’s split from NRL power the Melbourne Storm is getting messier by the day.
The star hooker’s tumultuous month has included reports the Storm are open to shipping him out of the club with a full season to run on his contract following a trainwreck podcast where he said he wanted to win a premiership in a Sydney Roosters jumper.
The situation with the Storm turned sour following the release of Smith’s appearance on the YKTR Sports podcast where he also appeared to divulge information about the club’s off-field behaviour, including a “piss-up” culture.
The Storm also issued a statement saying the club was “deeply offended” by Smith’s remarks, which included a series of expletives that have resulted in the NRL integrity unit reviewing Smith’s behaviour for potential breaches of contract.
It has now been revealed how serious the Storm is about cutting Smith loose early with a report the club has reached out to the Wests Tigers to discuss a player swap for the 2022 season.
The Sydney Morning Herald, reports the Tigers rejected the Storm’s approach when Melbourne came to them with an offer to swap Smith and Stefano Utoikamanu.
Utoikamanu is a prop forward and securing Smith on a one-year deal before he reportedly links with the Roosters would not have an impact on the Tigers’ plans surrounding hooker Api Koroisau. The club announced on Friday that Koroisau will join the Tigers from 2023.
New Tigers football boss Tim Sheens and Storm coach Craig Bellamy reportedly discussed Smith’s potential transfer before the western Sydney club pulled out when the Storm asked for Utoikamanu in return. The Tigers were also said to have Smith’s recent rejection “fresh” in their minds.
According to the SMH: “There is growing speculation the Storm have been shopping Smith to other clubs”.
The report added: “Melbourne counter this by claiming rival clubs have sniffed “panic” when it’s not there, offering to take Smith off their hands if they want to get rid of him.”
The Roosters have not commented on a possible early move to Sydney by Smith.