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Link: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/stuart-w...721-22h8y.html
July 22, 2012
Danny Weidler
SBW a Smith fan
BRIAN SMITH has been staving off board members and players at the club who don't want him there but there is a fairly important faction at the Roosters which does want him there and I'm not referring to his strongest supporter, chairman Nick Politis. When Sonny Bill Williams looked to join the club, his agent Khoder Nasser was wary of who would be coaching the side - but he has never had a concern with Smith. Nasser and Smith go back a a long way - through Anthony Mundine. Smith always had a good relationship with Mundine - he has been a regular at his fights and Mundine always speaks highly of Smith. There is no doubt Smith knew how to handle his character. Nasser always respected that and has told SBW he has nothing to fear. There are still directors who don't want Smith - and Craig Bellamy's name keeps getting a mention. And yes, Bellamy would be a very good fit at the Roosters - however, his price tag would not please their powerbrokers. Bellamy would need a $1m package and the Roosters board would have to think twice before agreeing to that. Bellamy lost some bargaining power with the Broncos' decision to keep Anthony Griffin - it was always tipped that Bellamy would end up at the Broncos one day. If Smith has a poor 2013, the chequebook may loosen - but with SBW and James Maloney coming, it's hard to see the Roosters having another poor year. They will have added motivation farewelling their favourite son Anthony Minichiello.
July 22, 2012
Danny Weidler
SBW a Smith fan
BRIAN SMITH has been staving off board members and players at the club who don't want him there but there is a fairly important faction at the Roosters which does want him there and I'm not referring to his strongest supporter, chairman Nick Politis. When Sonny Bill Williams looked to join the club, his agent Khoder Nasser was wary of who would be coaching the side - but he has never had a concern with Smith. Nasser and Smith go back a a long way - through Anthony Mundine. Smith always had a good relationship with Mundine - he has been a regular at his fights and Mundine always speaks highly of Smith. There is no doubt Smith knew how to handle his character. Nasser always respected that and has told SBW he has nothing to fear. There are still directors who don't want Smith - and Craig Bellamy's name keeps getting a mention. And yes, Bellamy would be a very good fit at the Roosters - however, his price tag would not please their powerbrokers. Bellamy would need a $1m package and the Roosters board would have to think twice before agreeing to that. Bellamy lost some bargaining power with the Broncos' decision to keep Anthony Griffin - it was always tipped that Bellamy would end up at the Broncos one day. If Smith has a poor 2013, the chequebook may loosen - but with SBW and James Maloney coming, it's hard to see the Roosters having another poor year. They will have added motivation farewelling their favourite son Anthony Minichiello.
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