- Messages
- 76,539
End of drama for Smith
By David Riccio
November 11, 2006 12:00
PARRAMATTA halfback Tim Smith has vowed to put a drama-charged season behind him by accepting a leadership role at Parramatta next season.
A beefed-up Smith returned to pre-season training this week revealing his desire to distance himself from off-field controversy. "That's the end of all that stuff,'' Smith told The Sunday Telegraph.
"What's happened in the past stays in the past. I've moved on from all of that and I'm only thinking of how to have a big year for the Eels in 2007. We've lost a few experienced players and I'll be looked on to lead the boys around.''
Smith's drama-charged 2006 season included two separate incidents in a six-month period. In May, the 21-year-old and team-mate Mark Riddell missed an Eels recovery session because they were affected by alcohol. His latest misdemeanour, in June, involved a bar-room slanging match with Test cricketer Michael Clarke.
Smith's troubled year continued in July when a broken collarbone prevented him from playing any role in the Eels' charge to the finals, when they had nine straight victories. New Eels coach Michael Hagan said he had discussed fine-tuning Smith's game - both on and off the field.
"He's very keen to get back to the form that he showed and he probably didn't have that opportunity this year for a number of reasons,'' Hagan said. "He wants to be a dominant player and he's more than happy to accept the responsibility that goes with it.
"He's probably had a couple of years to get a feel of what's required to become a leader. With all the off-field stuff I'm sure he's well aware of the public's expectations of him also.''
Adding a further 3kg to his frame - he is just under 87kg - a rejuvenated Smith said he was confident of returning to the form that saw him crowned 2005 rookie of the year. "I'm feeling really good and just as excited about what's ahead,'' Smith said.
"We've lost a few players but there's a real confidence in the place about the players coming through. I think it can be a big year for us.'' Smith and former Roosters halfback Brett Finch will form a new-look halves pairing for the Eels. He claimed Finch would prove integral to his development and ability to steer the Eels to victory next season.
"It's too early to say how or if my game will change with Finch, but it's important we get a good combination,'' Smith said. "We have to get a few things sorted out on the training paddock first. Hopefully in these trial games coming up we can get a few combinations going.
"Being a halfback, you've got to be a leader on the field so I'll definitely be trying to do that. I expect Finchy to be helping me out with that as well.''
http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/story/0,22049,20740933-5006066,00.html