Storm more formidable following Smith rep retirement: Widdop
Dragons Den News
TOUGH FORECAST: Gareth Widdop at Dragons training. Picture: Adam McLean
DRAGONS skipper Gareth Widdop believes Melbourne have become an even bigger premiership threat following the surprise representative retirement of Queensland and Australian Test skipper Cameron Smith earlier this week.
Smith stunned the game on Tuesday with his stunning decision to quit representative scene just weeks out from this year's State of Origin series.
It leaves Maroons coach Kevin Walters scrambling to find a replacement before game one, but no doubt drew a smile form Storm coach Craig Bellamy having watched the perennial toll the rep season has taken on his skipper.
The Dragons firmed into premiership favouritism with their 34-14 win over the Storm two weeks ago at Kogarah, with Bellamy labeling them the benchmark in the aftermath.
Melbourne have since leapfrogged them back into top spot with the punters and Widdop, who won the 2012 premiership alongside Smith in Melbourne, was not surprised to hear they'd firmed on the back of Smith's decision.
"No doubt,” Widdop said when asked if Melbourne were a bigger premiership threat.
“You take Cameron Smith out of any team there's a big difference so to have him there week in, week out, is obviously a positive for Melbourne. I'm sure Cam will be better [at club level] for not playing [Origin] so they'll be happy and Craig will be happy.
“You could say [retirement] was a little bit of a shock. I'm just shocked as everyone else but, he's obviously got his reasons and he's made the right decision for his family.
"With what he's done in the game, and the character he is, he's got every right too make the decision when he feels most comfortable.
“It's disappointing because, as a spectator I like watching Origin and him go out there an play for Queensland but he's got his future to think about.”
Having spent the first four years of his career playing alongside Queensland's old firm of Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis, Widdop is well aware of the how tough navigating the rep season can be.
He'll get another crash course in 2018 with a host of his Dragons teammates in line for rep call-ups.
“I've seen it, especially down in Melbourne we had a lot of Queenslanders within the team,” Widdop said.
“It must be very difficult being away from family, in hotels week after week, playing on Wednesdays and not being able to train for six weeks. It certainly takes a toll on the body but, in saying that, it's Origin it's a great spectacle and no doubt the boys will be representing their state.
“When you're playing good people get rewarded but I like to think the boys are just worrying about the Dragons first and foremost and we'll deal with that who, if and when selected.
"We've got a squad of 35 that all live up to the same standards and know what we're doing. Whoever's in, or whoever's not there, we're expected to do a job. It's still a few weeks away yet so we'll wait and see.”
NSW forward Tyson Frizell was equally stunned by Smith's decision to hang up the rep boots, but he wasn't as disappointed as Widdop to see them go up, though he warned against Blues fans rejoicing.
“I wasn't stunned I was kind of glad,” Frizell joked.
“Obviously it came out of nowhere people might say but he's been in the game for so long and done great things for Queensland and Australia. He's had an enjoyable ride and obviously thought it was the right time to call it quits.
“Being a NSW fan you're glad to see a great player like that playing but they've got a good squad no matter who they bring in.
"That's why they've been dominant for so many years so I wouldn't be going off to early as a NSW fan. It's still a three-game series and it's going to be a tough test.”
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...ollowing-smith-rep-retirement-widdop/?cs=3713
