Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has refuted that hooker Brandon Smith wants to leave the club, according to a report byย Stuff.
There were whispers that the Kiwi was unhappy when Cameron Smith elected to extend his career into 2020, keeping the 22-year old confined to a bench role.
But Bellamy has revealed he sat down with the youngster and made it clear he is a big part of Melbourne's future.
"We had a good conversation about a couple of things and I don't think there was anything to sort out - he needed a bit of a clear mind on what was happening," Bellamy toldย Stuff.ย
"Now he has, he's very happy and he ain't going nowhere."
Smith played in the Storm's 2018 grand final team and was one of the Kiwis' best in his Test debut against the Kangaroos last October.
Come to the dogs
Another media beat up!
Exactly mate. He isnโt going anywhere
Typical media beat up. The bloke has come out himself and said he doesnโt want to go anywhere, he wonโt go anywhere. Look on his social media ffs!
You have to admit that there’s a lot of these type of stories, with clubs saying how thrilled a player is to stay. Only for a story to appear a week later saying they are sad to see the same player leaving . Whether for family reasons, needs a new start, got an offer elsewhere that’s to good to refuse etc.
So we will see I guess.
Its certainly tough on the youngster to have to wait another 2 years but on the other hand he has one of the best opportunities in the competition to learn off the best hooker in the world and then inherit a team that consistently plays finals footy. If he has the sense, he will bide his time.