parra pete said:
I don't rate Ben Smith that highly either when it comes to that.... But I think he shows more POTENTIAL than Tim Smith..
I can't fathom how Tim Smith has the WOW factor on this forum. Didn't anyone else see how he performed in 2006? Did he live up to your expectations? Was he crook..is that the reason? Did he take responsibility for his actions on and off the paddock?
Is it his haircut, strange tattoo's or wobble head that makes him an UNTOUCHABLE...or is it his ability? I can't work it out. He was the messiah in 2005. In 2006 he was just a naughty boy.
I don't care if I am in the majority or the minority on how he is rated.
I am in the majority in my heart, and when I look in the mirror, the bloke looking back at me is the only person I have to convince. If that bloke is still my friend, I am happy.
Tim Smith has a lot of work to do before he'll convince me he is of NRL standard.
2007 will be the litmus test for him. Is he good enough to lead a first grade team around the paddock? or will he break supporters hearts again, as he did in 2006?
Time will tell......
Remember this, it is ONLY a game of football. Difference of opinions is what makes the world go around. It is difference of opinions that make horse racing so popular. It is difference of opinions that makes democracy such a great thing. Let's all have opinions..It is pretty boring if we all agree on everything.
Pete, you ask any forum member on this board and they'll tell you i can be pretty critical, sometimes even boardering on insane. Like you i have my opinions, fair enough, we are all entitled to them, however, the rationale you seem to be emphasising (Tim Smith in 2006) is just unfair, when you consider the series of circumstances this year which would've made it hard on any young half back.
For an example, our lack of go forward earlier was diabolical to say the least, how can you expect a half to produce miracles when he is constantly kicking from his 40 metre line. And when we did go on the attack, players outside him many a time didn't read his plays like 2005 or the support play was non-existent. I put it down to two factors earlier on, lack of motivation and team harmony.
We were in a situation earlier where the player swere uncertain and this obviously affected the team as a whole, and certain fundementals went out the window as a consequence. This then in turn affected Tim Smiths game, i won't patronise and say he had a great year, however, i won't say he had the year you percieve him to have had, definately mixed, but in reality, he was hardly given the options from his team mates which he had in 2005 which made him the NRL's top try assists player.
Players who top a category like top try assists obviously has genuine raw abilities, this cannot be ignored. But even players like Peter Sterling still needed players going forward, and the likes of Brett Kenny and Eric Grothe to finish the works. This year, earlier we had ther likes of Matt Petersen and a seriously out of form Ben Smith and to a lesser degree Eric Jr and John Morris.
Pete i noticed you mention Tims running game often, yeah it would be nice if he had one, just like it would be nice if Hindmarsh learnt to be a better attacking forward these days instead of emphasising on tackling or Eric Grothe to develop a better positional game and basis one on one tackles instead of getting caught out often. Players all have there individual strong and low points. I won't get up Tim as like Sterling, Stuart, Johns they tend to rely on kicking as there main weapons. He didn't need a runing game in 2005,i don't think he needs it now. What he does need however is better support play, another creative half as a contingency, and backs showing initiative to be in the right place at the right time eg 2005.
2006 was obviously tough for Tim Smith, he would've learnt alot, but his teammates more so, if they were to have given him the platform and support alas 2005, the talents would've come to fruition.
Tim Smith is NRL standard, just look at 2005, however before you lable him like this, just see if he's given the luxeries which i've discussed in 2007 like 2005 before you critisise him.
