The guiding hand of Wayne Bennett has reshaped the career of many a troubled rugby league player and Brandon Smith is the latest rough diamond to embrace his reformation under the NRL supercoach.
Smith's last two seasons in the NRL have been some of the most tumultuous of his career with the No.9 being shown the door by the Sydney Roosters midway through last year as he recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The New Zealand Test hooker landed at South Sydney late last season, but his arrival was overshadowed by his arrest on charges of supplying drugs and disclosing inside knowledge for betting.
Smith's case is next listed to be heard at Southport Magistrates Court on August 6.
Smith, who has spoken of his off-field struggles in the past, entered a rehabilitation clinic over the off-season and pinpointed Bennett's support as priceless.
"Particularly with all the off-field stuff that I've gone through while joining the Bunnies, it (loyalty) is very important to me," Smith said.
"Wayne's just a pleasure to work with because he just reminds me a lot of Craig Bellamy - less angry and the heart rate's probably a lot lower - he's just a coach that you want to play a game of footy for.
"I have it in the back of my mind that I don't want to let Wayne down, I don't want to let my teammates down in any week, but especially I don't want to let the coach down.
"He's one of those people that just got your back through and through and you just want to repay the favour."
Smith's 2026 campaign has been hampered by recurring calf issues, which the 30-year-old says is an after effect of his knee surgery, restricting the hooker to just six games.
But after playing for close to an hour - his best output this season - in last week's win over Parramatta, Smith is beginning to feel back to his best.
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"I probably could have played a lot earlier a few times, but they kept me back just to keep going," Smith said, with seventh-placed Souths set to face ladder leaders Penrith on Friday.
"You've probably seen I'm using up three interchanges every game, but that's just all purposeful stuff.
"Hopefully I just stay on the field and keep building the engine.
"Mentally it's been awesome just to be back in the paddock, being able to be a part of this team and be on the field. I'm extremely grateful."
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Australian Associated Press
