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Verrills vows to remain the big cheese at Bondi when Smith arricves

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  • Verrills vows to remain the big cheese at Bondi when Smith arricves

    From the SMH.

    Sam Verrills has declared his desire to be the Roosters’ main man at No.9 for the “next 10 years”, welcoming the challenge of beating star recruit Brandon Smith to the prized position in 2023.

    Trent Robinson, Nick Politis and the tricolours lured Smith north last summer, securing his services on a three-year deal.

    But Smith, who moved from the Storm in part due to the presence of Queensland star Harry Grant, is no certainty to be a walk-up starter for Robinson’s side.

    That’s how Verrills – who is contracted until the end of 2024 – views the situation, anyway.

    “I’m contracted here until the end of 2024. I don’t plan on leaving,” Verrills told the Herald.

    “It’s a definite challenge. Brandon Smith’s a really good player. He showcased that last year down in Melbourne. I’m not sure what role he’s going to have down there this year, in Melbourne, but he’s a really good player and whatever happens, happens.

    “This is 2022. My main goal is to be there on the first weekend of October with the boys, hoping to win another premiership with this club.”

    Verrills also revealed Robinson had guaranteed him the No. 9 jersey when he returns from suspension in round two.

    The 23-year-old hopes to avoid injuries and suspension – which have been littered through his first three seasons – and show Robinson he should stay the first-choice hooker when Smith arrives at Bondi.

    “Robbo’s assured me that the starting spot is mine this year and I want to go out there and just have the confidence, play good footy,” he said.

    “I want to be the No. 9 for the Roosters for the next 10 years. Whatever that looks like in 2023, I don’t know.

    “A year is a long time in NRL. We don’t know what’s going to happen next week, let alone in a year’s time. I’m hoping to have a nice, long year, like I said, and when 2023 rolls around, we can discuss this then.

    “What I’m focusing on now is playing really good footy for this year, and this team.”

    Verrills returned from a semi-detached retina to help guide an under-strength Roosters to a semi-final against Manly, but missed the 42-6 loss due to suspension.

    It capped a frustrating year for the Sea Eagles junior, who was a revelation in place of Jake Friend and won a premiership in his debut season three years ago.

    “Obviously, it was a good challenge, Robbo putting me in there (in 2019). The belief he had in me, straight away, to play the footy I know I can, was really good,” he said.

    “But the past few years have been pretty challenging, for myself. All of the stop, starting. Being injured, playing, suspensions now, it’s been tough to really get a rhythm.

    “That’s why I’m so happy with the pre-season I’ve had and the season ahead. I’m suspended for round one, but I’m hoping to play all other 25 games, plus finals.

    “That’s my goal this year – to play long footy, and to really enjoy my footy this year.”

  • #2
    Hopefully we see a big injury free year from Sammy. Will be interesting to see how the cards fall next year, if he kills it this year.
    Red, White and Bluesters!!!

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    • #3
      Smith isn’t coming here to play second fiddle to anyone. Great positive attitude by Sam. Nothing wrong with two hookers.

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      • #4
        Hope springs eternal, Sammy.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Bansai Pipeline View Post
          Hope springs eternal, Sammy.
          Smith by the looks of it is playing lock for the Storm this year so maybe Radley might have competition for his spot as well

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          • #6
            It’s a shame for Sam it really is, I believe he can be a really good starting 9 and thought he would be it for our club. I can’t see cheese coming here for anything else otherwise he would be at the dolphins .. Hope he kills it this year for us does sam

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Thirteen View Post
              Smith isn’t coming here to play second fiddle to anyone. Great positive attitude by Sam. Nothing wrong with two hookers.
              And that’s exactly what it will be. The #9 spot was moving in this direction even before the recent changes in speeding up the game but now that it has changed, 2 hookers are almost a necessity.
              FVCK CANCER

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              • #8
                If we win the comp this year and Sammy V at #9 is a big reason why.....will make it interesting next season trying to fit Rads, Cheese and Watson all in the same team.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Rooster90 View Post
                  If we win the comp this year and Sammy V at #9 is a big reason why.....will make it interesting next season trying to fit Rads, Cheese and Watson all in the same team.
                  I get the point but the Cheese is a marquee signing. While I'd love Verrills to be the form rake of the season & get picked as the Australian #9, I think we're in fantasy world there.

                  No doubt Verrills and Watson are solid players and I wanna see both of 'em carve up. But... right now Cheese is the standard and if Robbo can improve Verrills/Watson THAT much then imagine where Smiddy would be after an offseason with him.

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                  • #10
                    For those saying two hookers next season, are we then saying it will be two forwards on the bench + Watson and Verrills? Am I the only one, or is that fantasy land. Verrills will absolutely not be staying at the Roosters past this season, teams like Parramatta and Manly will pay good dollar for him to start at the 9, he won’t turn that down and Smith will absolutely not be coming off a bench, he was signed at top price for a reason.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Thirteen View Post
                      Smith isn’t coming here to play second fiddle to anyone. Great positive attitude by Sam. Nothing wrong with two hookers.
                      Look what happened when Hodgson goes down at the Raiders, daylight to their next best.

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                      • #12
                        Great attitude from Verrills, looked sharp in the trial match against Tigers. Hope he goes above and beyond this year and the next regardless of Brandon Smith
                        EASTS TO WIN!

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                        • #13
                          Great to see such a positive attitude from Sam. I hope he’ll still be around by the end of his contract too.

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                          • #14
                            I will be watching to see how his running game has developed this year. It may not be part of Trents plan but he has to take his opportunities.

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                            • #15
                              Sam is a first grade starting hooker at most clubs and I reckon a couple of them will throw big bucks at him especially if he has a good year ,see what happens but I don't think he is on huge money with us and football careers can be short. He has won a premiership with us given us good service id take the big bucks and go if I were Sammy.

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