Billy Smith's ceiling?

[ism22]

Curious, where do people reckon this guy's ceiling is at? Word about him has been quiet but he chained together a full season without any injuries and IMO wasn't far off various rep grade centres.

Centre seems to be one of those air traffic controller kinda roles as well, where you either possess the ability to read all the possible collisions at once or you don't. Few learn it through experience beyond a point.

How far's this guy going if he has a massive pre-season and puts together a big season in 2026?

[Mickie Lane]

I reckon he would have high ceilings in his house because he's a tall guy.

[Chook2]

2025 was his first full season and went well
reads the defence well
started really strong being talked about rep and maybe eased a little towards the end but first full season from his was good
should still get better and atm a cheaper centre

[Bates]

I reckon he would have high ceilings in his house because he's a tall guy.

Billy looks like a cathedral ceiling kinda guy.

[Bates]

I like the way the Broncos use their centres in the red zone. Walsh's ability to stand up the opposition D then hit his outside backs with a flat bullet pass is a thing of beauty. The boy's natural attacking instinct and timing is next level. Big powerful centres are key!

[Roosterfarian]

His form dropped towards the end of the season but I still rate him highly. Think we under utilised him in attack at times. Hopefully he can stay injury free and improve every year which is what you ask for as a coach.

[Chook2]

The two big games I remember was the dogs and broncos when he not only handled critchon and staggs in D but also got over top of them a few times in attack
really think he is in the top 10 or so centres which is exciting with toia coming on so fast as well
both outperformed Suaali and Manu from 2024

[Bates]

The two big games I remember was the dogs and broncos when he not only handled critchon and staggs in D but also got over top of them a few times in attack
really think he is in the top 10 or so centres which is exciting with toia coming on so fast as well
both outperformed Suaali and Manu from 2024

I reckon Toia was underutilized last season! He's a powerful ball-runner with a great step that needs more good ball.

[Mickie Lane]

I reckon Toia was underutilized last season! He's a powerful ball-runner with a great step that needs more good ball.

Tell me this guru
Who would be getting paid more B Smith or Toia & what do you think they'd be on?

[Thirteen]

Great season from Billy but he did slip a bit in the last six weeks or so. They weren’t up to his normal standard.

[caz]

probably played himself out of an england jersey in the last game but he wasn't the only one who didn't fire that night.
i guess not being picked for england gives him a chance to play for nsw. probably he sticks with england but if he creams it early next year and is in the conversation for origin he might have a change of mind

[Bates]

Tell me this guru
Who would be getting paid more B Smith or Toia & what do you think they'd be on?

Not sure. Hard to say!

[ism22]

Tell me this guru
Who would be getting paid more B Smith or Toia & what do you think they'd be on?

It's a fair question ay? Both were signed on potential (no proven NRL form/consistency) and were coming off serious injuries.

My assumption would be that both were on ~$350k as they're certain starters but (other than Toia being rushed into Origin & winning Dally M Rookie of the Year, which wouldn't have factored into his current contract) they don't have a lot of starpower. Also, we agreed to carry them on our books (as Easts junior) during hard times with injuries.

IDK what our books look like but IMO right now both would be on more than minimum wage for a top-30 player but not marquee money. Next round Toia will have some serious leverage but how much? IDK.

[bondi.boy]

I like the way the Broncos use their centres in the red zone. Walsh's ability to stand up the opposition D then hit his outside backs with a flat bullet pass is a thing of beauty. The boy's natural attacking instinct and timing is next level. Big powerful centres are key!

Ah yes, big powerful centres...and big powerful wingers, big powerful forwards, big powerful halves, big powerful FB...the key to success.
"Too big, too strong, too fast" wins every time in NRL and NRLW.

We're not there yet, and won't get there if our big powerful players coming thru are allowed to walk.
Oh well, guess we can always buy a team like everyone else is.

[Steakface]

With how often we were executing attacking plays out going to Marky Marks flank (especially second half of the season) I'm not sure Billy had enough of a chance to shine.

If there are stats anywhere on how many touches/involvements for Billy Smith v Toia, I reckon it would be night and day.

In the last month of our season, I'd wager Toia had the ball in hand double the time Billy Smith did.

All the attack was going over to that flank.

And a decent % that did drift over to the far left was bombs for Toops.