The Melbourne Storm have acted swiftly in hosing down the rumour that hooker Brandon Smith has signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Penrith Panthers great Scott Sattler told SEN that he had heard from a "pretty good source" that Smith had penned a three-year deal with the Bulldogs, beginning after the 2021 season.
Smith is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2022 but told the club late last year that he wanted to play as starting hooker. The New Zealand international has started the season in the No.9 jersey but only because Queensland State of Origin dummy-half Harry Grant is out with a knee injury.
Despite being on the books until the end of 2022, the Storm won't force Smith to see out the full length of his contact, having confirmed in December that the 2020 premiership-winner would be released with a year to run on his deal if "appropriate arrangements" were made.
But Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi strongly denied that Smith had penned a deal with the Bulldogs.
"Absolutely not," Ponissi told SEN.
"I know both Satts (Scott Sattler) and Badge (Gary Belcher).
"I'm not sure where Satts got that info from, but he really needs to revisit his sources.
"It's that far off the mark, it's not even close."
New Canterbury coach Trent Barrett had already rejected reports that Smith had signed with the Bulldogs.
"No … I was a bit surprised by that one," Barrett said at a press conference.
"We haven't spoken to Brandon Smith."
Ponissi made a joke of the Smith rumour mill.
"Brandon said to me last night that there was also an article floating around of him signing with the Titans," Ponissi said.
"So, he has three contracts for next year at the moment. He's hoping they all pay up. He's going to be well paid.
"The rugby league rumour mill continues to not disappoint us."
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