Billy Smith Update

[fletch]

The NRL Physio has a Billy Smith update which sounds a bit ominous has had 30% of the cartilage removed from the injured ankle and when he ramps up his running it continues to swell up, could be weeks/months or even the rest of the season before it settles down.

https://x.com/nrlphysio/status/1802539087691485230

[Roosterfarian]

This kid has dead set run over a black cat or had some spell placed on him FFS. He needs some serious divine intervention or something.

[fletch]

Absolutely feel for Smith sucks to see athletes not given a fair shot at displaying their talents but serious questions need to be asked about the Roosters recruitment and retention handing Smith a 3yr extension knowing his injury history.

[gragra]

The roosters have kept a spot for him since round 23 ,2019. He has played 27 games out of a possible 123. To be unavailable the rest of the year, I really think the roosters should cut their losses and medically retire him. It really is a drain on a roster position and cap space

[Carlos Parra]

The roosters have kept a spot for him since round 23 ,2019. He has played 27 games out of a possible 123. To be unavailable the rest of the year, I really think the roosters should cut their losses and medically retire him. It really is a drain on a roster position and cap space

Absolutely agree.

[Nicola Tesla]

The roosters have kept a spot for him since round 23 ,2019. He has played 27 games out of a possible 123. To be unavailable the rest of the year, I really think the roosters should cut their losses and medically retire him. It really is a drain on a roster position and cap space

It's only a drain if the salary is significant. Who knows what he is getting? Nobody here or anywhere outside of his close circle and roosters management.
Hopefully he has been using his recovery time to study and prepare for post footy life.
If it's only $150K or so, then it's a bet worth having, but it is starting to look ominous for him.

[Spirit of 66]

The roosters have kept a spot for him since round 23 ,2019. He has played 27 games out of a possible 123. To be unavailable the rest of the year, I really think the roosters should cut their losses and medically retire him. It really is a drain on a roster position and cap space

I think the reality is if he comes back he’s one serious injury from medical retirement. So keep him. We won’t lose that much.

[HunchoRooster]

Billy Myth.

[Andrew Walker]

It’s time for Billy to step aside

[Waylander]

It’s time for Billy to step aside

Well he would, but he can't put wait on his ankle.

[HunchoRooster]

The way Robbo spoke in the presser when asked, I don’t think he expects Billy back this season. As said there comes a time when enough is enough. For all parties involved it’s got to be time to move on.

[Chook2]

Injuries are the cruellest thing about sport
shame as he is a $700k centre at his best on probs $200k a year but can’t stay on the field! No we are not paying him much so not taking up salary space but it must be getting to his head
the fact he was in front of suaali ($750K) all pre season it sucks that he got injured again as his defence and attack is good enough to help that left edge

[Billy Gunn]

The roosters have kept a spot for him since round 23 ,2019. He has played 27 games out of a possible 123. To be unavailable the rest of the year, I really think the roosters should cut their losses and medically retire him. It really is a drain on a roster position and cap space

Maybe his contract is incentive based and the number of games he plays.

I think one way or another his future will be decided by the end of the year.

[ConGa]

poor guy just can't catch a break. Better start planning his post footy career soon

[ism22]

I think the reality is if he comes back he’s one serious injury from medical retirement. So keep him. We won’t lose that much.

So is anybody though.

Teddy had a stack of injuries early on and now pretty much never gets injured.

If there was one thing Billy was struggling and it had complications then I'd agree with the calls for retirement. However it's been what... a shoulder, an ACL, a hammie, an ankle...etc.

Also he's an Easts junior who I believe does a fark load of work with our juniors/sponsors. IMO if he wasn't hired as a player, he'd be hired as some sorta assistant coach or ambassador (doing the same work but unavailable to play...ever). I like the utility that he adds. If we were Souffs then we'd be punting him ASAP because that's where their culture is at. IMO we can do better than Souffs!