Overview

• Brandon Smith is due in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with unlawfully supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting, and he is expected to plead not guilty.
• Police say alleged text messages show Victor Radley asking Smith to help source an “8 ball” and Smith providing a dealer’s contact; Radley has not been charged and authorities make no allegation he took illegal drugs.
• A police brief cited by reports outlines group messages in which Smith told friends he would start against Manly before public confirmation, prompting bets that could have returned more than $20,000.
• Investigators seized an alleged dealer’s phone on July 18, which contained Radley’s number, and took Smith’s phone on August 9 after questioning him at Gold Coast airport.
• Club and league responses are escalating, with the Roosters examining an exit for Radley and urging his agent to test NRL and Super League interest, while the NRL has not applied a no‑fault stand‑down and South Sydney has continued to select Smith.