Mystery over why police questioned footy star at airport is finally solved
The Bunnies forward was pulled aside by cops for an interview after he flew into Gold Coast Airport with the team on Saturday, ahead of their victory against the Titans.
Sources close to The Sydney Morning Herald say Wayne Bennett's side were disembarking the plane when Smith was pulled aside by the cops and pressed for the information.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on Smith's part.
Following the interview, the Rabbitohs star was allowed to go on his way and was not charged.
Queensland Police issued a statement on the matter following the interview, but were reluctant to open up on the reason why Smith, who is also affectionately dubbed 'Cheese', was pulled aside for a chat with the police.
Rabbitohs star Brandon Smith (pictured with his girlfriend Isabella Williams) was questioned by police at Gold Coast airport as his team arrived to play the Titans
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that police had interviewed Smith to ascertain information about a person known to the Souths star
'Queensland Police had cause to speak to a 29-year-old male at Coolangatta Airport,' a police spokesperson said.
'The male was later released without charge. Police have no further information to provide.'
Wayne Bennett was also reluctant to delve into the matter when pressed by reporters over Smith's police interview.
'That's an issue we're not going to talk about,' the Souths coach said.
Both the NRL and South Sydney have declined to comment.
The club has also been in contact with NRL's Integrity Unit to inform the league about the matter.
The former Sydney Roosters star jumped ship to the Rabbitohs midway through the 2025 season, after being released by his former club in unceremonious circumstances.
Smith had been sidelined with an ACL injury since 2024, but made his return to the footy pitch for the Bunnies during their Round 18 clash against Manly.
The luckless former Dally M winner, suffered an MCL injury during the match, after he fell to the ground awkwardly having been on the pitch for just 37 minutes.
He moved to the Souths midway through the season after an unceremonious exit from the Sydney Roosters
Smith also took to the defence of Matt Lodge, after the Manly prop was accused of a hip-drop tackle on the Bunnies' new recruit.
However, after a five-week absence, the hooker returned to start from the bench during Sunday's two-point victory against the Titans.
He took to the field for 51 minutes, made 111 metres from 11 runs and also made a whopping 20 tackles.
Smith joined the Roosters back in 2023, after the footy star had spent six years playing for the Storm, winning a premiership with Melbourne in 2020.
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