Souths expect Smith to fight drug-supply charge
Scott Bailey and George Clarke |
Brandon Smith plans to fight charges laid by Queensland police, with the embattled South Sydney hooker’s immediate NRL playing future up in the air.
The reverberations of Smith’s drug-supply charge were still being felt around the NRL on Tuesday, with his former club Sydney Roosters caught up in the drama.
Smith has been summoned to face Southport Magistrates Court next month, on a charge of supplying dangerous drugs.
He has also been accused by Queensland Police of disclosing inside knowledge for betting, and faces another charge over that.
Smith’s drug matter is believed to relate back to June, shortly after he joined the Rabbitohs from the Roosters in a mid-season move.
Souths have so far stood by the 29-year-old, and do not intend on standing him down from playing duties.
“Through his solicitor Paul McGirr, the club understands that Brandon was not physically in the jurisdiction of Queensland when this matter was alleged to have occurred,” South Sydney said in an updated statement on Tuesday.
“Therefore, we are instructed that the matter will be contested.”
Smith’s charges do not automatically fall under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down rule, however CEO Andrew Abdo has the ability to invoke the policy if he wishes.
The Rabbitohs have a bye this week, and face arch-rivals and Smith’s former club the Roosters in round 27 in a game that could have big finals permutations.
No decision is expected by the NRL on Tuesday, and there is theoretically no need to make a call on Smith until next week.
It’s believed the NRL only learnt of the charges against Smith as news broke of the matter on Monday.
Smith had been questioned by Queensland Police on arrival to the Gold Coast earlier this month before a game, but was released without charge.
Queensland Police are expected to allege Smith attempted to supply drugs to a Roosters player while they were away in early June.
Star lock Victor Radley’s name is believed to appear on the summons, with he and other Roosters players on a golf trip on the Sunshine Coast at the time.
A Chad Townsend Instagram post shows he, James Tedesco, Hugo Savala, Sandon Smith, Egan Butcher, Zach Dockar-Clay and Radley all attended the golf trip.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Radley or any of the players who travelled north over the Roosters’ round-14 bye weekend.
The Tricolours have previously trumpeted one of the toughest approaches to drugs in sport, with chairman Nick Politic claiming a zero-tolerance approach earlier this year.
“My view is if somebody’s caught doing cocaine or leaning over snorting something, we’re going to get rid of them,” Politis told News Corp in January.
“Our stance is zero tolerance. We are very strong on it. Trent (Robinson) is very strong on it.”
Smith’s charge regarding disclosing inside information for betting is believed to relate to his comeback from an ACL rupture last month against Manly.
The dummy-half had been named on an extended bench in the Rabbitohs’ No.22 jersey, before starting at hooker as one of several changes in the team list.
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AAP
