Smith Reacts to Eels Transfer Rumor: ‘All My Mates Called Me’

Brown ‘testing the market’ for 2026 | 00:29

Out-of-favour Roosters star Brandon Smith says he hasn’t spoken to Parramatta after rumours he would sign with the Eels caught fire.

Watch every ball of The 2025 Women’s Ashes Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Currently off contract and sidelined by an ACL injury, Smith has been told he won’t be offered an extension to his turbulent stint with the Tri-colours.

He hopes to have his future sorted by May but was caught unawares as online speculation – started by an Eels fan page – raged that he was a done deal at Parra.

“This Parramatta rumour went around for all of my family members, every one of my mates rang,” Smith told James Graham on The Bye Round Podcast.

“I have not spoken to them at all. I don’t even know if my manager has.”

Big twist in Cowboys’ halves race; Seibold forced into reshuffle after injury blow: Predicted Rd 1 teams

QLD rival enters race for Brown amid $1m playmaker’s get-out clause — Transfer Whispers

Gutho reunion? Seven possible new clubs for Eels star, rugby twist as $1m frenzy looms

Hayne revealed in ‘stacked’ comeback… which may continue with stunning Eels link

The Storm premiership hooker says he hasn’t had any direct negotiations with potential new clubs.

“I haven’t had any negotiations but there’s definitely talks going. I would call them negotiations, but there’s definitely talks happening behind the scenes but not involving me,” Smith said.

“Probably May. Yeah, April, May, I’d like to have it properly sorted.

“We will see what happens, you never know who might come, you know. Tom Brady might want me at the NFL.”

The Roosters have effectively already moved on from Smith, signing NSW Origin hooker Reece Robson to a four-year deal from 2026.

Graham suggested that the Eels were a good new home for Smith; hence the speculation.

“It’s funny you can draw those links because it’s pretty easy,” Graham said.

“You go, he worked with (new coach Jason) Ryles, you could make a case that Parramatta need a number nine. It’s like, ‘Oh, that’s where he’ll go’.”

Smith didn’t rule out an Eels switch but said the existing speculation was unfounded.

“I think it was like a Parramatta fan page, like said, ‘It’s official’,” he said.

“The Parramatta fan army, now everything they say is reputable.”

The Eels have been without a top-end hooker since Reed Mahoney moved to the Bulldogs and Josh Hodgson’s subsequent time at the club was marred by injury.