Billy Smith Update

[The Brain]

Billy Smith is on.. he is at the Paralympics! Forget Raygun.

[Mickie Lane]

With 4 rounds to go plus the finl series anything is possible for Billy boy.
How good would it be to see JWH, Keary, Suaalii, Manu, Sitilli go out GF winners with Billy back in the side also.

[Team Evil]

The only way Billy Smith gets a run this year is if we have injuries.
I hope to see him in the side next year, he is a gun.

[Archelon]

The only way Billy Smith gets a run this year is if we have injuries.
I hope to see him in the side next year, he is a gun.

He's a write off this year, injury or not. He'll need to play NSW cup first before jumping back to first grade.... and somehow come out unscathed!

Such a shame, he was quickly becoming one of our bests on the park when he's fit and firing.

[DP1990]

I think overall Suaalii is a better and more well-rounded winger compared to Dom and in the speed/pace department this is the stat (from 2023) between them two:

Dominic Young (Knights) 36.828km/h
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters) 35.784km/h


Not too far off and at full-tilt, Dom may nudge ahead but Suaalii on-paper is no snail.


PS: I'd rather let Billy get a good, solid head start with training and prep for next season but act as depth cover should we need him at some point. The last thing we need is to risk Smith with another injury and side-line him for 2025.

[Inflictor]

I think overall Suaalii is a better and more well-rounded winger compared to Dom and in the speed/pace department this is the stat (from 2023) between them two:

Dominic Young (Knights) 36.828km/h
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters) 35.784km/h


Not too far off and at full-tilt, Dom may nudge ahead but Suaalii on-paper is no snail.


PS: I'd rather let Billy get a good, solid head start with training and prep for next season but act as depth cover should we need him at some point. The last thing we need is to risk Smith with another injury and side-line him for 2025.

In the last couple of years how many times have you seen Suaallii run around the opposition from inside our 20M and outrun everyone? Seen Dom do that a few times.
Even if Suaalii made a break with nobody in front of him 80M out he would be odds on to get run down.
They are chalk and cheese when it comes to speed.

[fletch]

PS: I'd rather let Billy get a good, solid head start with training and prep for next season but act as depth cover should we need him at some point. The last thing we need is to risk Smith with another injury and side-line him for 2025.

According to Alan Katzmann this seems to be the way the team is leaning.

[Mickie Lane]

I think overall Suaalii is a better and more well-rounded winger compared to Dom and in the speed/pace department this is the stat (from 2023) between them two:

Dominic Young (Knights) 36.828km/h
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters) 35.784km/h


Not too far off and at full-tilt, Dom may nudge ahead but Suaalii on-paper is no snail.


PS: I'd rather let Billy get a good, solid head start with training and prep for next season but act as depth cover should we need him at some point. The last thing we need is to risk Smith with another injury and side-line him for 2025.

How devastating would that be & if that happened I would say his football career would be over.

[milanja]

I think overall Suaalii is a better and more well-rounded winger compared to Dom and in the speed/pace department this is the stat (from 2023) between them two:

Dominic Young (Knights) 36.828km/h
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters) 35.784km/h


Not too far off and at full-tilt, Dom may nudge ahead but Suaalii on-paper is no snail.


PS: I'd rather let Billy get a good, solid head start with training and prep for next season but act as depth cover should we need him at some point. The last thing we need is to risk Smith with another injury and side-line him for 2025.

I’d rather see him tested this year if fit, if he is going to break down, no time is a good time, but at least we can prepare for next year.

[Vasco]

I’d rather see him tested this year if fit, if he is going to break down, no time is a good time, but at least we can prepare for next year.

I agree. I hink he's a better left centre than Suaalii.

[DP1990]

In the last couple of years how many times have you seen Suaallii run around the opposition from inside our 20M and outrun everyone? Seen Dom do that a few times.
Even if Suaalii made a break with nobody in front of him 80M out he would be odds on to get run down.
They are chalk and cheese when it comes to speed.

Fair point. Dom has the speed advantage but when it comes to carrying the ball from our end and making metres, Suaalii has Dom covered. It seems like Dom can't go through the opposition line but would rather go around.

I'm not complaining especially if it leads to points on the board or better field positioning but speed is the only attribute Dom has to offer ... every other aspect needs more attention and development.

[FlamingRooster]

In the last couple of years how many times have you seen Suaallii run around the opposition from inside our 20M and outrun everyone? Seen Dom do that a few times.
Even if Suaalii made a break with nobody in front of him 80M out he would be odds on to get run down.
They are chalk and cheese when it comes to speed.

Agree, Dom is by far faster. But how many times have u seen him attempt to run around the defence only for the second rower or centre to jam, giving him a whack and losing out on 10 m of territory.

[TumutChook]

I think the discussion on him is a waste to f time, especially preference of him or Young come finals. Smith may be an option with JS at centre & Young out as mentioned, but ids there anyone stupid enough to select the most fragile man on earth ahead of another player ?
I mean dead set we’d drop Young & bring Quentin Keenihan in & then the bloke would break every bone in his body running through the banner so we’d be a man short all game.
Forget him & puss him off, if he hits 50 NRL games in his career I’d say that’s the greatest achievement of man kind.
Skill is one thing, but never showing it is another & the wasted experiment needs to have time called on it.
He’s pushed himself over & over to get back out there do has heart & courage, but there becomes a time & he’s too risky to take into any game.

[Mickie Lane]

Not Billy Smith related but relating maybe to signing a very good 5/8 or any position for that matter is Tyrone Wishart.
Man that guy is a top player & mark my words he will be bought by another club & be a starting half.

[Mickie Lane]

I agree. I hink he's a better left centre than Suaalii.

Do you think Smith would be considered for origin if he was fit?