Brandon Smith's claim that the Penrith Panthers were interested in his services has been 'strongly rejected' by the NRL champions.
After making a series of controversial comments on The Ice Project podcast, Smith was confirmed to be leaving Melbourne Storm at the end of next season, with the Sydney Roosters believed to be signing the 25-year-old.
Smith, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2022 season, claimed the Panthers were one of six NRL clubs interested in signing him.
However, Penrith decided to release an official statement denying they ever had any interest in Smith
"Penrith Panthers wishes to address a specific comment made by Melbourne Storm player Brandon Smith which has received mainstream media coverage," the Panthers statement read.
"Speaking on a podcast episode, Smith identified Panthers as an NRL club that had expressed interest in acquiring his services during recent contract negotiations.
"The club strongly rejects this assertion.
"At no stage has Panthers expressed interest in acquiring Smith’s services, and the club has had no contact with the Storm, Smith or his management."
"While there would be no ill intent in making the comment, mistruths like this can and do have a tangible impact on our club’s actual business dealings," Panthers General Manager Rugby League Matt Cameron said.
"We felt it important to correct the public record on this occasion.”
Smith is off-contract at the end of 2022 and has been meeting with rival clubs in the past few weeks for 2023 and beyond, and revealed a positive outlook of his discussions with the Sydney Roosters.
He is now expected to put pen to paper with the Roosters in the coming days, but it was some of his comments surrounding his likely destination that sparked some displeasure.
Smith spoke about 'wanting to win a premiership' in the Roosters jersey, despite having a year to run on his deal at Melbourne, which saw him labelled as being 'disrespectful'.
In a lengthy statement on Instagram on Tuesday morning, Smith apologised for any hurt that his comments caused, but also maintained his transparency as his contract saga rolls on.
“I want to address current media speculation going on around me at the moment, and specifically my recent comments on the YKTR Sports podcast," he said.
"Over the past two months, I’ve read multiple headlines about me day in day out, many of which were untrue, and none that came from my mouth directly.
"I done this podcast for that very reason. To be fully transparent about the process I’ve been going through. It’s honestly been really exciting throughout and I’m truly grateful to be in the position I’m in.
"One thing I pride myself on is being myself, and regardless of backlash I will continue to do so.
“That being said, I do want to acknowledge and want to apologise for how some comments have been received. Specifically to the Melbourne Storm, it was never my intent to disrespect or come across as ungrateful to the club that has done so much for me and my family.
"That goes for all coaches, staff and most of all, my teammates. I speak from the heart – for better or for worse sometimes – and I’m sorry if anyone was hurt by my words, but at the end of the day they are my words."
Statement from Brandon Smith. pic.twitter.com/PQBVlg7BfN
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) November 30, 2021
