Wayne Bennett has paid tribute to Brandon Smith for turning his life around as the South Sydney hooker gets ready to take the field for the first time since entering a rehab facility.
Smith, who missed the first five rounds of the Rabbitohs' season with a calf injury, is named to start in the No.9 jersey against reigning minor premiers Canberra at Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Smith has been working on more than just his recovery over recent months, revealing how he had entered a treatment facility to tackle issues relating to alcohol and gambling.
The New Zealand Test hooker realised he needed to make a change to his life after he was stopped at an airport and charged by Queensland Police last year over allegations he supplied dangerous drugs and disclosed inside knowledge for betting purposes.
Bennett said Smith would be far from the finished article against the underperforming Raiders, but praised the hooker for how he had got himself back on track.
"He won't be at his best tomorrow (Saturday), we're five weeks into the comp now and he hasn't played the game," Bennett said.
"But he'll be good and we just need to get him in the team and get him playing for us each week.
"It's a credit to him what he's done and how he's turned things around.
"I'm really proud of him. He's got a really great group of guys at the club and they've all been very supportive of him.
"He's in a good place and wanting to play footy again."
Smith's introduction will give the Rabbitohs a strong chance to improve on their 3-1 start against Canberra (1-4), who have struggled to replicate their 2025 form.
"He's not someone you really have to motivate or check up on," Bennett said of Smith.
"He'll just go and do his best and when he's got nothing left, he'll look towards the bench and give me the eye that he needs to come off.
"Players like that there's not enough of them."
Meanwhile, Bennett cleared Keaon Koloamatangi of a serious knee issue and said the prop would be fit to face the Raiders after aggravating an underlying injury in last week's win over Canterbury.
"He's great, he's flying, he's playing and says he's in no pain," Bennett said.
Canberra have beaten Souths in their last four meetings but risk losing five-straight games for the first time since 2022 if they cannot topple the Bunnies.
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