Jan 14th, 2019

Jan 14th, 2019

The Storm are in danger of losing boom young hooker Brandon Smith in the wake of Cameron Smith’s decision to sign a new two-year deal with the club.

The current Kiwi Test hooker and a member of the Storm’s grand final team last year, 22-year-old Smith was prepared to bide his time and wait for his namesake to retire - assuming he would only play one more season.

But Brandon is far from happy with the veteran hooker’s decision to play until the end of 2020 and is looking around for a better opportunity.

Several clubs are on the lookout for a class hooker for 2019, notably Parramatta, where Smith would be a great fit.

Brandon Smith. (AAP)

BRONCOS HALVES TO LINK WITH JOHNS

New Broncos coach Anthony Seibold knows he will live or die on the success of his halves combination of Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford next season.

And that is why he is sending the pair to Sydney soon to meet up with former Newcastle and Test five-eighth turned TV star Matthew Johns.

There are few more astute former players in the game than Johns and he will give their pair a masterclass in playmaking for several days.

Nikorima and Milford has their moments in 2018 but overall lacked consistency - a vital area of the game that Johns will attempt to correct.

Anthony Milford. (AAP)

EDWARDS-RAIDERS RUMOUR A DUD

Hottest rumour doing the rounds this week is that classy utility Dylan Edwards is on the outer at Penrith and could be headed to the Raiders.

It’s come about because Dallin Watene-Zelezniak may start the new season at fullback despite Edwards’ sizzling performances there last season.

But I’ve checked with both clubs - and the rumour is a dud.

The Panthers realise the value of Edwards and aren’t about to let him go anywhere, while the Raiders have little money to spend in the cap in any case.

Dylan Edwards. (AAP)

BROWN SET TO RETIRE ON 199

Former Kiwi Test utility Lewis Brown is set to retire after not being offered a new contract by Manly.

At 32, Brown is a veteran of 10 seasons in the NRL and will finish just one game short of the 200-mark on 199.

Brown debuted for the Warriors in 2009 and played some good football for the club before subsequent stints at Penrith and Manly.

He also played 15 Tests for the Kiwis but wasn’t part of new coach Des Hasler’s plans and is likely to hang up the boots.

Brown already has plans after football - he is bringing out his own clothing line that he hopes will be a success in both Australia and New Zealand.