“I didn’t have the highest opinion of him at the time. I just didn’t think that I meant anything to him at that point.

“And to be honest, there’s probably people that didn’t message me that I thought would. So for him to do such a thing, from there on, we’ve kept in contact, and we get along really well.

“It’s warming to be able to go to a club with that guy. I know someone in that club cares for me deeply, and Latrell’s one of them. That’s pretty cool to say.

“I think there’s a lot more to Latrell Mitchell than people think.

“That sideline ‘piss take’ … yeah he didn’t care, he shut me down pretty quickly. We’re all good.”

Bennett was more than backing himself to deal with another big personality under the Heffron Park roof.

“We have a few big personalities here, so he won’t be out of place,” Bennett said of Smith.

“I’m sure they’ll get along well. We’ll make that happen.

“Hopefully [the deal] will get sorted out over the weekend, and Brandon will know where he stands. Hopefully he will be here with us.

“He’ll be wanted here. We’ll welcome him with open arms.”

Mitchell returns from a one-match ban against the Broncos on Friday night, and has just two weeks to put his name back in the Origin centre conversation.

Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton, Manly’s Tom Trbojevic and Newcastle’s Bradman Best, along with Mitchell, are the four players vying for two spots ahead of the Origin opener on May 28.

Bennett is a proud Queenslander, but when asked about Mitchell seemingly dropping down the unofficial pecking order when it came to the Blues selection debate, said: “I can tell you that everyone in Queensland will be happy if he doesn’t play for NSW.

“They can make up their own minds. But if he was a Queenslander, he’d definitely be playing for Queensland.”

Mitchell thrives in big games, but Bennett was quick to point out: “He’s pretty good at club level, too. He’s really good at club level. He brings something most players don’t have.”

Loading

Halfback Jamie Humphreys returns from a hamstring injury against Brisbane, and Bennett loved the fact Humphreys, Jayden Sullivan and Mitchell’s booming left boot gave them options in attack at Accor Stadium as Souths look to avoid a fifth straight defeat.

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds won a premiership with Souths, and there is plenty of interest in what he does beyond this season, with Bennett hoping the little playmaker plays on if he feels like he can.

“You don’t want to have regrets in retirement,” Bennett said. “If he feels like he can play on, and he knows himself better than anyone, I’d encourage him to play.”