NRL 2021: Brandon Smith weighs in on Melbourne Storm’s hooker situation

Brandon Smith admits Harry Grant and himself are “chalk and cheese” as players but as a combination they are the Storm’s deadly one-two punch driving the club towards historic back-to-back titles.

The dynamic duo was dynamite in the 28-16 win over the Sharks, which wrapped up the minor premiership and set up a finals showdown with arch-rivals Manly on Friday night.

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Smith, known universally as ‘Cheese’, gets down and dirty early before shifting to lock, which is when Grant comes on and wreaks havoc. It is a blueprint for success with a unique flavour.

“It is chalk and cheese. Harry is a lot different to me,” Smith grinned when asked about their partnership.

“I think I am a little more grunty and wear the hits a little bit more. He is an energetic, fit hooker who can go all day. It is always good for me to go on and wear them down a little bit and then he opens them up. He is a pleasure to watch.

“It is funny. One week, it is play Harry. Another week it is play Brandon as the starter, but one thing I know is that we are better together … It doesn’t really matter how we go about it.”

While both players want to start it hasn’t been an issue between them or a cause for division.

“We just respect each other. There is no turmoil between us two and that is the best thing,” Smith said.

“We are just fortunate we have a good relationship off the field. Before this whole ‘hooker spot’ thing he was one of my best mates. We have remained good friends and it hasn’t been competition for the spot. It has just been that whoever is in the spot has to do the job and Craig (Bellamy) respects that.”

Bellamy was stoked with the form of the pair against the Sharks, which was just what he wanted ahead of the finals.

“I thought Harry was tremendous off the bench and the way Brandon started as well was back to when we were playing our best footy, just with the way they interacted,” Bellamy said.

“We’ve seemed to get back to those guys working really well together.”

And Smith has no doubt the best from his 23-year-old hooking colleague is yet to come.

“He’s played Origin but just 30 NRL games, which is scary. Harry has still got a lot more to come,” Smith said.

“I see him every day at training and, respectfully, I know he is probably the best hooker in the comp. I am not ashamed to say that at all because he is the real deal.

“He’s two years younger than me as well. I know that is not all he has to give. He has got plenty more years to develop.”

The Storm are on a mission to make club history and go back-to-back for the first time.

“I am stoked that we are coming into finals,” Smith said.

“A lot of boys have been channelling in their focus and trying to make it more important to win this grand final.

“It was handy to win the minor premiership but hopefully we can take another step up in levels and really knock these finals on the head. It is an exciting time.”