South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Brandon Smith was granted bail in a Queensland court on charges that he supplied a dangerous drug and disclosed inside information for betting, with conditions including a non-contact order against Roosters star Victor Radley.
Magistrate Deborah Mitchell granted bail at Southport Magistrates Court, with Smith's lawyer Paul McGirr saying his client will plead not guilty to both charges. The bail conditions include that Smith must not contact Radley or an accused drug dealer. The charges stem from a police investigation after officers seized Smith's phone at Gold Coast Airport on August 9. Smith arrived in Queensland ahead of South Sydney's August 10 clash with Gold Coast and was questioned by police at Coolangatta Airport, with authorities saying they had cause to speak to him.
He was released without charge after the interview, but police later confirmed on August 25 that Smith had been charged. The following day, the NRL allowed him to play in the final regular-season round for South Sydney, ruling out the prospect of an immediate ban.
The investigation also touched on text messages reportedly exchanged between Radley and Smith, though authorities say there is no indication Radley engaged in any wrongdoing and he has not been charged. Smith is due to appear in court again on October 9.