NRL Star Brandon Smith Exits Sydney Amid Alleged Drug Scandal in Surprise Relocation
NRL Star Brandon Smith’s Career in Jeopardy Amid Charges, Enjoys Noosa Getaway
By Andrew Prentice | Updated: 08:09 BST, 28 August 2025
[Image: Brandon Smith at Betty’s Burgers in Noosa]
Caption: Brandon Smith dined at Betty’s Burgers in Noosa this week despite ongoing legal turmoil.
Facing Serious Charges
NRL hooker Brandon Smith, 29, is set to appear in Queensland’s Southport Magistrates Court on September 18, charged with alleged drug dealing and an inside-knowledge betting offence. The South Sydney Rabbitohs star, however, has been spotted relaxing in Noosa during the team’s bye week—a location tied to his controversial past.
Noosa Getaway & Past Scandal
Smith’s trip to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast comes four years after his involvement in Melbourne Storm’s 2021 “white powder scandal,” where he and ex-teammate Cameron Munster were filmed in a hotel room with an unidentified substance. Smith received a $50,000 suspended fine and a one-game ban. This week, he was seen dining at Betty’s Burgers and playing poker machines at Noosa Surf Club, raising eyebrows amid his legal battles.
[Image: Smith during his time with the Sydney Roosters]
Caption: Smith (left) with former Roosters teammates during a game.
Legal Battle & Roosters Connection
Smith’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, confirmed the charges will be “contested,” citing the player’s absence from Queensland during the alleged offences. The case has drawn in Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley, whose name appears in court documents. Radley was on a Sunshine Coast golf trip with teammates during the alleged incident, though no wrongdoing has been linked to him or the Roosters.
Teammates Turn on Smith
Reports reveal growing tension between Smith and former Roosters teammates. A player’s manager told Wide World of Sports that while Smith was initially seen as a “likeable larrikin,” teammates now feel their reputations are damaged. “They took him under their wing, but this has changed everything,” the manager stated.
[Image: Smith with partner Isabella Williams]
Caption: Smith and partner Isabella Williams at a past Roosters event.
Rabbitohs Stand Firm
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, a former policeman, has backed Smith to play against the Roosters on September 5. The NRL has not intervened, allowing Smith to continue playing despite the looming court date.
[Image: Smith training with South Sydney]
Caption: Smith training with the Rabbitohs, who have declined to suspend him.
What’s Next?
Smith’s career hangs in the balance as he prepares for court. If found guilty, the NRL’s strict anti-drug and betting policies could end his time in the league. For now, the Rabbitohs remain focused on their finals push, with Bennett emphasizing “innocent until proven guilty.”
— Additional reporting by NRL correspondents.
Images: Daily Mail Australia
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