Jeremy Smith to return ?

[nrlnrl]

Telegraph reporting he's in talks with the Dragons for a return in 2016. I don't agree with everything in the article ( i.e. - Smith walking straight back into the pack, but a deal makes sense with the club looking for mostly bargains until 2017 )

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...by-league-career/story-fnp0lyn3-1227355578446

From Knights to Dragons, NRL veteran Jeremy Smith to extend his rugby league career
JAMES HOOPER THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MAY 15, 2015 12:00AM SHARE


THE planets are aligning for ex-Kiwi Test enforcer Jeremy Smith to return to St George Illawarra next season, the club with which he helped smash a 30-season premiership drought in 2010.

Sport Confidential can reveal Dragons coach Paul McGregor and Smith have spoken, with the club also discussing Nate Myles as a potential recruit prior to the Queensland forward signing with Manly.

Despite turning 35 last month, Smith remains one of the most hardened forwards in the NRL and could walk straight into the starting pack as a replacement for Trent Merrin. Merrin and Smith are completley different types of player, but the Dragons would still have ample creativity in Benji Marshall and Garreth Widdop.

More concerning is the void Smith’s departure would leave at the Newcastle Knights. Captain Kurt Gidley, Beau Scott and BJ Leilua are already confirmed departures from Steel City at the end of the season. Smith would mean a combined 719 NRL games walking away from the club.

The Dragons’ top priority remains the retention of club icons and local juniors Ben Creagh and Jason Nightingale

 

[dragonsman4eva]

I watch smith closely every week and I still think he is playing great football. Would take him back in a heartbeat

 

[lafai]

He could also help JDB as a mentor

 

[BennyV]

1 year tops, to help give JDB an extra edge. Be more interested in Leilua TBH.

 

[dungay dragon]

Been here ..done that
Age (35) , wear'n'tear and asking dollars the three major concerns..
No ... Unless a clean swap for D Hunt

 

[Jubileeboy]

No Thanks...rather keep Ben Creagh

 

[nrlnrl]

1 year tops, to help give JDB an extra edge. Be more interested in Leilua TBH.

Definitely good value as a mentor for DeBelin & other young forwards such as Tuimavave-Gerrard, Kavanagh & Sele

If you're talking about Joey Leilua, seems like he's heading to the Raiders but his brother ( Luciano ) is going ok & can play Holden Cup again next year

 

[Elias1983]

Your losing merrin...

I think signing Jeremy smith for one season at a good price would help at least steady the ship until 2017 when we can apparently begin to spend some dollars.

 

[Datramp]

I like the idea. Smith is a competitor. Our team needs (and thankfully is) signing guys that never give up and want to win. It drives that culture. Look at our team now and lots of people in it meet that description

Dugan
Nightengale
Aitken
Marshall
Widdop
Cooper
Rein
Thompson
Creagh
Frizzell

The above guys never seem to say die and just keep coming this year, even when out on their feet. Just watch any game and you see Thompson firing guys up, Nighty screaming at Farrell and The best was Creagh against brisbane screaming at the team Just 1 more set!

Smith is one of the same mould and if we can drive that culture and believe in it we will certainly win more than we lose.

 

[since77]

At the right price, yes.

 

[Country Dragon]

At the right price, yes.

X2

 

[Mr Red]

no thanks.
invest in a younger long term solution.
JDB is displaying very good form so he will move into staring lock position next year.. opportunity therefore to blood a youngster coming off the bench...

 

[Jubileeboy]

no thanks.
invest in a younger long term solution.
JDB is displaying very good form so he will move into staring lock position next year.. opportunity therefore to blood a youngster coming off the bench...

Spot on. Salary cap management is critical and Smith wouldn't be cheap. Secure JDB for a season longer than he's already signed for AND blood a youngster or two into the NRL squad.

 

[Rob Dragon]

Maybe we can resign Pat Jarvis as well!

Jeremy Smith is 35 years old. Aren't we trying to rebuild and align the roster? It would be a ridiculous signing.

 

[blacksafake]

X2

X3

 

[jenninga]

no thanks.
invest in a younger long term solution.
JDB is displaying very good form so he will move into staring lock position next year.. opportunity therefore to blood a youngster coming off the bench...

We have a young pack,nothing wrong with a great pro in Jezza being in our squad.

 

[Get2dachopper!]

As other have mentioned in another post, I'd be going for someone like Lewis Brown. Can play a bit of hooker as well as lock. Either that, or manufacture one in Garvey.

We really are missing a Dean Young type of player.

 

[God-King Dean]

Jizz jizz jizz

 

[tumbidragon]

Sorry. I can't make a rational decision with this much wood...

Yes please. The exp. He'll pass onto the young pigs would be invaluable imo.

 

[giboz71]

My first reaction would be no given his age, but there is such a dearth in talent in 20's and in the Cutters, it's probably not a bad idea.

Thankfully, De Belin is turning into the player we all hoped for so he looks likely to be Merrin's replacement. Smith may prove a valuable bench player for 2016.