NRL star questioned by police, stopped at airport
South Sydney star Brandon Smith has been stopped by Queensland police after arriving in the Gold Coast.
As first reported by Code Sports, the 29-year-old was pulled aside by police after players arrived at Coolangatta on Saturday afternoon ahead of the side's clash with the Titans on Sunday.
'Queensland Police had cause to speak to a 29-year-old male at Coolangatta Airport,' a statement from the authorities said.
'The male was later released without charge. Police have no further information to provide.'
The Rabbitohs have confirmed Smith will still play the fixture against the Titans.
Smith was expected to be presented with his jersey by Kiwi great Issac Luke ahead of his 150th NRL appearance.
Details of the incident were reported by leading NRL journalist Phil Rothfield, speaking on Triple M.
The veteran reporter said Smith and his teammates were walking towards the baggage collection area when Smith was pulled aside.
He said Smith did not join his teammates for a 'considerable' period of time.
Brandon Smith of the Rabbitohs. Photo by.
The Rabbitohs have made the NRL Integrity Unit aware of the incident.
The reason why Smith was questioned is unclear at this stage. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing.
Rothfield said there was no suggestion Smith had in anyway acted inappropriately on the flight.
It has been a tumultuous period for Smith with a messy contract saga resulting in him making a mid-season move to South Sydney after a disastrous period with the Roosters.
After dealing with long-term injuries and reported dramas inside the Roosters dressing room, the Kiwi international was shown the door by Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who openly admitted the team wanted to spend its salary cap space somewhere else.
Before the Roosters and Rabbitohs cut a deal, the cult hero known as 'Cheese' was dropped to train with the Roosters' reserve grade squad.
The former Melbourne Storm hooker said in May it had been a tough period.
'I'm trying to hold myself together. I've got a great partner who's helping me out with everything,' he said.
'My partner Isabella has had to call the Bunnies while I'm doing all my other stuff, and she's been dealing with other people while I was at training yesterday. I'm very lucky I've got her by my side.
'All you can do is hold your head up high. I wasn't feeling great when I went into training yesterday, but you've got to do it.'
Smith only made his Rabbitohs debut in Round 18 before he suffered another cruel knee injury.
Prior to that game, he had not played at NRL level since Round 17 with the Roosters in 2024 as a result of another knee injury.
More to come...
Originally published as NRL star questioned by police, stopped at airport
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