NRL star Brandon Smith's intimidation tactics revealed: How the Roosters star tries to throw his opponents off their game by sending them a simple photo

• e-mail

The intimidating pre-game tactics of Sydney Roosters star Brandon Smith have been revealed as he prepares to face his former teammates at the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night.

Smith, 26, will be the villain at AAMI Park and close mate turned rival Harry Grant won't be surprised if the Kiwi international resorts to more mind games ahead of kickoff.

In previous years, Smith looked to unsettle his opponents by texting a series of images featuring a rampaging Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

This time round Grant won't be surprised if his phone pings with pictures of another New Zealand enforcer.

'He might send me photos of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves instead,' Grant said.

The intimidating pre-game tactics of Sydney Roosters star Brandon Smith have been revealed as he prepares to face his former teammates at the Melbourne Storm

Storm hooker Harry Grant won't be surprised if his phone pings with pictures of Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (pictured) before he's due to face his ex-teammate

Storm legend Cameron Smith is looking forward to seeing the rival hookers going toe to toe.

The Immortal in waiting believes Grant 'probably has a few more tricks in his bag' than Smith - but acknowledged the 'Cheese' can change the outcome of a game.

'Brandon is almost like a front-rower running out of dummy-half because he attracts so much attention when he runs the football,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

 'And when he does need three or four men to bring him down, the guys who touch the ball on the back of his runs really benefit.'

Smith often sent his rivals images of Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona in a bid to unsettle them when he was with Melbourne

The Storm will welcome back halfback Jahrome Hughes while the Roosters have lost skipper James Tedesco to concussion.

Joey Manu is likely to play fullback for the Tricolours, with young gun Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii another option.

The Wallabies bound teenager was electric last start against the Eels in the centres, showcasing his versatility after cutting his teeth in the NRL on the wing.