Can Smiddy get an early release?

[ism22]

I can think of a few players that Robbo has brought into the side that didn't quite work out. However, Robbo has a pretty good record when it comes to star players. In fact, the ones below that come to mind have all won a premiership. We shouldn't be questioning what value Robbo sees in Smith.

Jennings
Maloney
SBW
Fergo
Keary
Cronk
Teddy

Agreed... I don't think any of our marquee signings have turned south (except if you include UK international wingers that he's banked on).

IMO most of Robbo's failed signings/projects have been on low-value contracts and have either:
- Been sacked for serious misconduct that's outta our control (e.g. Meehan, Carter, Nikorima...etc).
- Been given a go, but lacked form/skills/confidence (e.g. Reece, Burgess, Hall, Casty, Garvey...etc).
- Been depth players who are stars in reserve-grade but unable to make the leap to 1st grade (e.g. Slime Ankle, Cornish...etc).

Robbo likes to think outside the box when it comes to signing players. Dunno about others but I quite enjoy looking through the above list and thinking about what coulda been.

I get the feeling Robbo does his homework, his 'losses' are always pretty insignificant (they also get moved on with a click of a finger) and his marquee signings are always right on the money (e.g. SBW, Jennings, Maloney, Keary, Cronk, Tedesco...etc). IMO Robbo's never wasted cash. Some of his bets go south (e.g. Carter - great form but a d!ckhead) but what did he lose? Some random, minimum-wage player who took up a spot that woulda been felled by a random nobody (who probably wouldn't have played first grade anyway).

[Headless Chook]

mmm didn't Verrills play in the 2019 GF that the Chooks won including scoring the first try - became the starting hooker as well for the last 9 games and throughout the finals series. Had a disrupted 2020 with the ACL and 2021 with the ACL requiring some further surgery and the detached retina.

There are a lot of players that have far far more influence in games than Smith though one has to say - The Storm for example - Hughes/Munster /Papenhuyzen /Olam/Welch and even Grant to name a few. Finucane now at the Sharks was also an influential player on and off the field.

I think people equating Smith's signing to a Premiership need to take stock - one player doesn't make you suddenly a premiership winning side. It takes a squad of players

Yet with all those 'more influential' players on the field, the Storm still could not overcome the loss of Smith in the prelim......

[King Salvo]

You really think Olam and Welch are more influential than Smith? Sounds to me like you don’t watch much footy. So Sam V scores a try in the GF. Does that mean we shouldn’t replace him with an established superstar? You need superstars to win comps.

Without Cronk and Sonny we don’t win those premierships. I’m not saying Smith is that level but you won’t win a comp without such talent.

I am sure the other 16 players each game and other squad members contributed to the success of the team in those premiership years.

It's a 17 player game and takes a squad of players to win comps with each player contributing to the success of the team - the superstar status is too often bandied about with many never fulfilling the superstar status hype.

Joey Johns often uses "he's a superstar tag" how many players are really this though - a hand full across the comp - As an example Tedesco/ Tom Trbojevic/Mitchell would be 3 you could tag as Superstars not that I like this terminology myself.

Smith is no way as influential as these 3 are to their teams or in fact others deemed as "superstars" too such as Fifita/ Taumalolo/Hass/Papenhuyzen/Munster/Walker/Cleary for an example.

He's a good player in a well drilled and coached team but not a "superstar" though.

As often said there is no I in Team

I think the Legendary George Herman "Babe" Ruth sums it up succinctly

[Kelby]

Yet with all those 'more influential' players on the field, the Storm still could not overcome the loss of Smith in the prelim......

Same with fatrell for the scum....

[King Salvo]

Yet with all those 'more influential' players on the field, the Storm still could not overcome the loss of Smith in the prelim......

Welch was off after 8 minutes after failing his HIA in the first half

Speaking on ABC, Cameron Munster didn’t hold back, saying: “It was one of the worst performances of the year, and unfortunately it was on the biggest stage.”

Storms completion rate killed them - 69% overall - 34 out of 49 sets- 15 errors as well- Munster had a poor game along with a few other Storm players one has to say

[mattyh]

I am sure the other 16 players each game and other squad members contributed to the success of the team in those premiership years.

It's a 17 player game and takes a squad of players to win comps with each player contributing to the success of the team - the superstar status is too often bandied about with many never fulfilling the superstar status hype.

Joey Johns often uses "he's a superstar tag" how many players are really this though - a hand full across the comp - As an example Tedesco/ Tom Trbojevic/Mitchell would be 3 you could tag as Superstars not that I like this terminology myself.

Smith is no way as influential as these 3 are to their teams or in fact others deemed as "superstars" too such as Fifita/ Taumalolo/Hass/Papenhuyzen/Munster/Walker/Cleary for an example.

He's a good player in a well drilled and coached team but not a "superstar" though.

As often said there is no I in Team

I think the Legendary George Herman "Babe" Ruth sums it up succinctly

id call nathan cleary a superstar these days, massively influential with his boot.

[roosterchook]

mmm didn't Verrills play in the 2019 GF that the Chooks won including scoring the first try - became the starting hooker as well for the last 9 games and throughout the finals series. Had a disrupted 2020 with the ACL and 2021 with the ACL requiring some further surgery and the detached retina.

There are a lot of players that have far far more influence in games than Smith though one has to say - The Storm for example - Hughes/Munster /Papenhuyzen /Olam/Welch and even Grant to name a few. Finucane now at the Sharks was also an influential player on and off the field.

I think people equating Smith's signing to a Premiership need to take stock - one player doesn't make you suddenly a premiership winning side. It takes a squad of players

Im all for Verrills and letting Smith stay at storm. He’s too big a risk. Our club is built on a good culture. Smith could ruin that. We don’t need or want anymore press regarding bad discipline and Smith already is bringing with him controversies such as white powder and trashing his club. We don’t need or want another Carney/Pearce/Latrell distracting us from our focus on good footy and Smith is all 3 bundled in one package. Not worth the risk. We’ve won premierships without him.

[Johnny Tobin]

Smith is a superstar Salvo. You are setting yourself up for some more Robbo-style embarrassment here.

[ism22]

Smith is a superstar Salvo. You are setting yourself up for some more Robbo-style embarrassment here.

I think he's an awesome player but SBW, Cronk, Teddy, Cords...etc are next level.

On a scale of 1-10 where Nathan Merritt's a 1 and Cronk's a 10 I'd say he's an 8 or a 9. From a physical and technical standpoint he's the best #9 in the game (although the Drizz would say Harry Grant's got the better tech skills). He doesn't have the same magical aura & leadership qualities of a SBW/Cronk though... yet.

[Bondicigar]

[QUOTE=ism22;n914579]

Agreed... I don't think any of our marquee signings have turned south (except if you include UK international wingers that he's banked on).

UK wingers are just guys who hang around average footballers

[Thirteen]

Salvo can you please list your top 10 players in the comp in order.

[Lydon]

Brandon Smith will be a superstar in the RWB, can’t wait for his arrival!

[Thirteen]

Brandon Smith will be a superstar in the RWB, can’t wait for his arrival!

Me too Mate. He’s already a superstar.

[The Brain]

Me too Mate. He’s already a superstar.

Coming into his peak now..premiership coming soon

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Me too Mate. He’s already a superstar.

Wow, the NRL's first superstar BENCH player ?