Brandon Smith’s insider‑betting charge withdrawn as NRL probe continues

A Queensland magistrate has withdrawn the insider‑betting charge against South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Brandon Smith, citing a lack of evidence. Prosecutor Louisa Pink told the Southport Magistrates Court she would offer “no evidence” for the allegation that Smith disclosed inside knowledge of the team’s line‑up for a match on July 2, 2025.

Smith, a New Zealand‑born player who has appeared for the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and the Rabbitohs, remains charged with unlawfully supplying teammate Victor Radley with cocaine at Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast in June 2025. The cocaine charge stems from a police investigation after Smith’s phone was seized at Gold Coast Airport. His solicitor, Paul McGirr, criticised the gambling expert evidence as “pure speculation” and said the brief of evidence was poorly prepared.

The case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny of the player, who has played more than 160 first‑grade games, while the NRL and its clubs monitor the developments.