Bold attempt by Storm to swap

Ugly saga takes another turn as furious Melbourne club look to offload out-of-favour Kiwis hooker. By Andrew Webster.

THE Wests Tigers have flatly rejected an audacious offer from the Melbourne Storm to swap out-of-favour hooker Brandon Smith for gun forward Stefano Utoikamanu next season.

In a further sign of just how much Waiheke Island born-andraised Smith has angered the Storm over the manner in which he signed with the Roosters from 2023, it can be revealed recruitment manager Paul Bunn reached out to the Tigers this week, shopping Smith on a oneyear deal.

New Tigers director of football Tim Sheens discussed the matter with Storm coach Craig Bellamy, with whom he has a long-time relationship from their days as coach and player in Canberra.

Sheens considered the idea of signing Smith because the Tigers have struggled to find an established hooker since Robbie Farah retired, but negotiations abruptly ended when the club was told Melbourne wanted Utoikamanu in return.

Also fresh in the Tigers’ minds is the fact Smith wasn’t interested in speaking to them about a long-term deal a few weeks ago because he wanted to join a top-four team.

The Tigers announced on Friday afternoon they had signed premiership-winning Penrith hooker Api Koroisau on a twoyear deal, from 2023.

There is growing speculation the Storm have been shopping Smith to other clubs, despite putting out a media release at the start of the week stating he would be there in 2022.

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.

Melbourne officials deny they made the approach to the Tigers, although Tigers sources were adamant Melbourne made the first approach.

The offer highlights the internal struggle at the Storm about what to do with their onceloved hooker. He has infuriated some club bosses – but can they afford to let him go when they are lacking middle forwards?

Tui Kamikamica has been stood down indefinitely after he was charged by Queensland Police over an alleged incident involving a woman in Brisbane, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s future remains unclear because he has not been vaccinated from

Covid-19.

With Harry Grant confirmed as the club’s long-term hooker, Smith will likely establish himself as their bankable No 13 should he stay.

There’s a great shame about the poisonous fallout between Smith and the Storm, for whom he’s become a cult hero because of his raw honesty, pranking of team-mates (including, on occasion, Bellamy) but mostly the way he plays, selflessly running and tackling without fear of the physical consequences.

Smith is due to front preseason training on Tuesday, where he can expect a frosty reception from coaches and officials, but the suggestion about the players being angered by his comments on a clothing company podcast, especially about the club having a ‘‘piss-up culture’’, don’t line up with what the Herald and the Age have been told.

Rather, Smith’s team-mates accept him for being honest, the loosest of cannons who shoots

from the lip.

‘‘That’s just Brandon,’’ more than one player reported.

To suggest Smith is a dumbo who has carelessly trashed his club on the way out the door is too simplistic. What is more likely is Smith’s comments on the podcast were aimed at certain powerbrokers at the Storm who he believes didn’t treat him with respect when contract negotiations commenced.

Indeed, Smith’s family have angered some Storm officials with remarks made on social media, adding to the tension between club and player.

For their part, Melbourne argue they have stuck by Smith through thick and thin, most recently ‘‘the mystery white powder’’ scandal that led to both him and Cameron Munster being fined and banned for one match.

Meanwhile, Roosters players have reached out to him, telling him to tone down his public commentary and focus on footy – wherever that might be when the season starts.