Billy Smith

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Is Billy any relation to Brett Papworth ?

Poor pappy.

I think Billy has some great role models around him like Teddy and Mini for overcoming chronic injury runs.

Ted had ACLs, ankle surgery and a knee reconstruction all in the space of 3 years. Goes ok now.

Its a mental game now for Billy.

[TumutChook]

Hate to say it but Billy Smith will more than likely never play 50 games for the club,or if he dfoes it wont be at the level expected.Most blokes dont come back from 2 x knee recos & at his age its mor ed than likely its not his last based on his record.Surely next year there is some recruitment in the outside backs department,even this year unless Suuali gets the nod it's looking very poor depth wise.
Ika is solid & the 2 x Morris bros are getting more injuries as time goes on,so looks like there will be a forward or utility played there at stages this year.

[Kelby]

Without sounding terrible..........
Is he worth it anymore? Limited window as a player and we're here to win, not a nursary

[The Skeez]

Cordner had serious knee injuries prior to making grade and he goes alright

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Without sounding terrible..........
Is he worth it anymore? Limited window as a player and we're here to win, not a nursary

It's a yes from me.

See Teddy comments above.

[Teddy]

Damn, that is tragic been looking forward to watching this kid play get well soon Billy.

[Salvatori Grubber]

Agree Jack - mental game only.

Another 12 weeks strengthening on the knee, it is then.

[King Salvo]

Was this Injury sustained in an "opposed" training session- again not to harp on it but get rid of these "opposed" training sessions - to be injured in these is ridiculous - I think he did his second ACL in an "opposed" training session last pre-season

[NorthChook]

It’s not ideal for his knee injury either - yes now he will have to rest it and can’t get it re-injure if he can’t play but he won’t be able to run for a while after his shoulder surgery, so may lose progress of the confidence/strength he built over his recovery last year

[NorthChook]

Was this Injury sustained in an "opposed" training session- again not to harp on it but get rid of these "opposed" training sessions - to be injured in these is ridiculous - I think he did his second ACL in an "opposed" training session last pre-season

It’s a contact sport, they need to practice contact. These injuries just happen, ACLs can just be a slip (I recall his second one being non contact).

Opposed sessions are fairly harmless - they are just practice game situations and aren’t playing 100%. If they didn’t do those these days to practice technique you’d be far behind competition standard

[Mickie Lane]

Thats a shame, I was looking forward to seeing him play.

[King Salvo]

It’s a contact sport, they need to practice contact. These injuries just happen, ACLs can just be a slip (I recall his second one being non contact).

Opposed sessions are fairly harmless - they are just practice game situations and aren’t playing 100%. If they didn’t do those these days to practice technique you’d be far behind competition standard

They can work on their defence techniques using tackle bags and simulations and create game like situations without any opposition though.

Not sure of the benefit when the "opposition" at these training sessions would know what attacking plays etc were being put on as they would practice these quite a few times one would say. And it's not 100% as you say and the "opposition" is supposedly only a token one unlike in a real game.so i don't see the benefit only down sides - injuries

They need to do extra work on fitness/stamina/agility because of the new rules as well as having an ex ref familiar with the new rules to work on reducing the 6 again's and penalties plus improving their individual skills as a player and for their role.

For an example are they working on improving the kicking game - short and long including kicking to the wingers - the last couple of games for instance the kicks for Toops were either too short or too long.

I'll be interested to know what training they are doing and what changes have been made as a result of the rule changes and different personal in key positions.

[Headless Chook]

They can work on their defence techniques using tackle bags and simulations and create game like situations without any opposition though.

Not sure of the benefit when the "opposition" at these training sessions would know what attacking plays etc were being put on as they would practice these quite a few times one would say. And it's not 100% as you say and the "opposition" is supposedly only a token one unlike in a real game.so i don't see the benefit only down sides - injuries

They need to do extra work on fitness/stamina/agility because of the new rules as well as having an ex ref familiar with the new rules to work on reducing the 6 again's and penalties plus improving their individual skills as a player and for their role.

For an example are they working on improving the kicking game - short and long including kicking to the wingers - the last couple of games for instance the kicks for Toops were either too short or too long.

I'll be interested to know what training they are doing and what changes have been made as a result of the rule changes and different personal in key positions.

Tackle bags teach poor technique, they don't really do anything other then help improve fitness. You seem to be anchored in the 70/80's King!

[Thirteen]

Was this Injury sustained in an "opposed" training session- again not to harp on it but get rid of these "opposed" training sessions - to be injured in these is ridiculous - I think he did his second ACL in an "opposed" training session last pre-season

Do you want to see them doing ballet at training?

[ism22]

It’s a contact sport, they need to practice contact. These injuries just happen, ACLs can just be a slip (I recall his second one being non contact).

Opposed sessions are fairly harmless - they are just practice game situations and aren’t playing 100%. If they didn’t do those these days to practice technique you’d be far behind competition standard

Agreed. It's unlucky but IMO highlighted an underlying weakness. Better that he's done it now rather than during his first game (probably for the bears).

Practicing touch footy won't prep you for copping Latrell Mitchell's palm in your face or a solid run into space from Taumalolo/Papalii. You've gotta practice taking those hits somehow, or teams will just run straight through the middle of us and we'll be watching replays of that bloody Souffs pre-finals game every week. I'd prefer a few unlucky injuries over that shyte...

Also as with Radley/Verrills... anything can break you. You can be in a situation where you're running straight, literally nobody touches you and then there goes your ACL. You're always running the calculated risk of hurting yourself when you exercise. Usually you don't (or it's nothing serious). S*x when you do though...