'All that has changed': Roosters players turn on Smith

Roosters players are filthy with Brandon Smith after having had their names dragged through the mud in the wake of allegations against the Souths star becoming public.

Smith was a popular member of the Roosters for the past 18 months - and remained friends with the players even after his recent move to Souths.

But that all changed in the chaos of the past 48 hours as Roosters players found themselves in the headlines, caught in the crossfire of Smith's alleged drug supply to a former teammate and alleged use of inside knowledge for betting charges.

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Sydney Morning Herald journalist Michael Chammas revealed the drug charge relates to Smith's time at the Roosters and allegedly implicates former teammate Victor Radley.

"It's no secret that Brandon has had 'issues' off the field and the boys really took him under the wing," a manager of two Roosters stars told Wide World of Sports.

"He is a very likeable larrikin who they found to be a lot of fun.

"But all that has changed in the wake of all this - the players feel they have had their reputations damaged and are not happy."

Making it even worse for the Roosters is club supremo Nick Politis' recent edict that any player caught dabbling in drugs would be sacked.

"We have a zero tolerance policy," Politis told News Corp earlier this year.

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Meanwhile, senior lawyer and former Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has jumped to Radley's defence, questioning the motivation of Queensland police for releasing his name to the media.

"The naming of Victor Radley was done to garner further interest in the case given he's a high-profile player," Hagipantelis told SEN Radio.

"It was unnecessary, it shouldn't have been done and there was no need for it. It's not necessary to establish the charges against Brandon Smith and it's regrettable."

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of Radley.

SURPRISE BEARS TARGET FLOATED

Word from the Bulldogs camp is that they aren't opposed to Matt Burton joining the new Perth franchise in 2027 and would consider releasing him from the final year of his current deal in the right circumstances.

Burton is a valued and popular member of the Canterbury camp, but the club realise they will have to come up with a massive offer to retain him.

Burton has family connections to Perth and is looking at a possible package deal with brother in law Aston Warwick, who, like Burton, started his grade career at Penrith but now plays for the Roosters in the NSW Cup.

MORE CHANGES IN WOLLONGONG

St George Illawarra are making changes to their coaching ranks despite re-signing under-pressure coach Shane Flanagan for two more years.

There's strong mail that Jersey Flegg coach Shane Millard is moving on, while Harold Matthews and Harvey Norman Womens coach Jamie Szczerbanik is rumoured to be returning to Penrith, where he enjoyed considerable success.

The movements place even more pressure on Flanagan to win games in 2026.

The club is still reeling from a woeful 40-0 loss in the wet to a depleted Souths team last weekend and the Dragons need to finish the season strongly to give them something to build on for next year.

Assistant coach Ryan Carr has already confirmed he will leave the Red V at season's end, taking up a top role with Super League club Castleford.

TEEN STANDOUT SIGNS WITH PENRITH

Penrith are planning for the future, signing a promising 18-year-old pivot from the Sunshine Coast.

Ellyjah Birve was highly regarded by all four teams north of the border but the Panthers snuck under their guard to sign him to a development deal.

He is expected to start the 2026 season in the Panthers SG Ball side and move his way through the grades from there in coming seasons.