Brandon Smith knows his old Melbourne teammates will lift against the Sydney Roosters, the hooker pointing to a saliva-laden spray from supercoach Craig Bellamy as enough evidence the Storm will get their act together.
Thrashed 26-0 by Brisbane, Bellamy was ropeable after Friday’s qualifying final defeat to the Broncos and described the Storm as playing like a bunch of strangers who had only just met each other.
Smith can ensure his former teammates are on the wrong end of another tongue lashing when the Roosters travel to face the Storm in this Friday’s semi-final at AAMI Park.
The Roosters' No.9 has worn his fair share of Bellamy outbursts over the years and said the dressing down would ensure the Storm won’t miss their assignment again.
“A lot of spit, in terms of spray there would have been a lot,” Smith said.
“I wouldn’t have liked to have been a fly on that wall, that’s for sure.
“The Storm are going to bounce back, we don’t expect them to play that way again.
“I feel sorry for what would have happened to them in that dressing room.”
Smith was once touted as the man to replace his namesake Cameron Smith at Melbourne but the arrival of Harry Grant forced the Kiwi international to spread his wings and leave for the Roosters at the start of this season.
Smith has yet to beat Grant since switching to the Roosters and also suffered defeat against the Storm No. 9 while playing against Australia in last year’s World Cup semi-final.
He said Grant was unlikely to gloat about his advantage in their blossoming rivalry but would be using alternative methods to throw Smith off his game.
“I haven’t talked to Harry and I probably won't until after the game,” Smith said.
“He’ll send me a picture of Nelson (Asofa-Solomona) to try and get in my head.
“He (Grant) is a boy from Yepoon, he is as humble as they come.”
Smith’s defection has added a new twist to the Storm-Roosters rivalry and the 27-year-old was excited to write a new chapter.
"They're two talented sides and ever since the 2018 grand final, it has sparked," Smith said.
"The whole Cooper Cronk has created that rivalry and when two titans clash it's always a good fight.
"I've got to keep my brain in check especially against the Melbourne Storm, every mistake they will punish you dearly."
