Nathan Smith

[Bob]

According to the SMH Nathan Smith has agreed to terms with Penrith for 2 years

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/tigers-and-souths-join-myles-race/2006/07/17/1152988472159.html?page=2

"What happens in the NRL is mirrored across club games and country games," Finch said. "Week-in, week-out, I've said to referees and touch judges, they just can't put up with it. The course of action was correct. No doubt Joey was emotive about it, but maybe it was better directed at the player rather than the referee."
Finch's comments came as the NRL announced its intention to release weekly reports on contentious refereeing decisions to "provide greater transparency and accountability".
The first report yesterday admitted video referee Bill Harrigan's decision to award a Brent Sherwin try last Friday night despite obstruction from Mark O'Meley against the Dragons was incorrect. However, it defended other controversial decisions from the weekend, including Rooster Chris Flannery's grounding against Cronulla.
Finch also said he was happy to again debate the stripping rule with coaches after renewed criticism over the weekend. "We looked at this at the start of the year," said Finch. "I reckon it's been looked at more than any rule in the game. I'm quite happy to look at it again, but all 15 coaches were happy to leave it where it was."
In other NRL news, Manly's Michael Monaghan said yesterday he was likely to stay at the club next season despite being offered a release. "I'm at Manly," Monaghan said. "I'm signed here. I'd imagine that's where I'm going to be."
The Bulldogs have been awarded their first home Friday night game since their clash with Wests Tigers in round two, which was marred by crowd violence at Telstra Stadium.
Centre Clinton Toopi was yesterday released from the Warriors and will join English Super League club Leeds. And second-rower Awen Guttenbeil has signed a two-year deal with Castleford.
Canberra have lost another outside back in the wake of fullback Clinton Schifcofske's defection to rugby, with winger Nathan Smith agreeing to a two-year deal with Penrith.
The Knights have hired former Roosters, Balmain and Parramatta player Trent Robinson, currently head coach of French club Toulouse Olympique, as Premier League coach for next season.

 

[aussies1st]

Hes a handy enough player. Not the flash type player just a guy that gives it his all.

 

[skeepe]

Thank God someone else took him. Now we won't be left with him stinking up our team with his terrible attitude. It just gets worse for the Panthers in 2007.

 

[Big Mick]

umm Skeepe....you've lost your best player, your best hooker, your most influential player on the field, your only Origin rep and it just gets worse for Penrith by signing someone for Premier League when others signings are on the way.....yeah...really bad for us. Take a look in your own backyard son.

 

[skeepe]

I was referring to the fact that you have Elliott coming in as coach, and have just signed a player with a poisonous attitude.

He may have the Raiders playing well, but with the talent at his disposal we should be playing much better.

The future is looking bright over here.

 

[Big Mick]

thats fair enough...but honestly....its gonna take more than 1 year to recover from losing Schif and Jason Smith.

I'd imagine Withers would slot into his best position of hooker...but who will be fullback? Chalk or Zillman.

If Zillman doesn't play five-eight he will be carved up, like he was during the knights game earlier in the year when he missed 6 tackles which led to tries.

Who will be the halves...the over hyped Carney and Michael Dobson...or will Marc Herbert finally rise up and take over...which imo he should.

Will Michael Weyman last a whole season without breaking a nail and being out for 8 weeks?

I will admit I like the look of your team for next year, but Elliot has developed them to a point where Henry can take advantage of the junior's structure that was implemented down there.

We've got some very promising juniors that will get their shot at first grade, now that we've missed our marquee signing, as you did. The Future out here is not as bleak as you'd imagine.

Matt Elliot is a forwards coach and knows how to get the best out of his forwards. Right now I think as a collective unit, our forwards are only playing to 75% of their true potential...maybe since the last two weeks it's risen to 80%...but they are not consistent. Elliot will know how to get the best out of these forwards and on a consistent basis. This will put us in good sted for a premiership assault.

The future may be bright for Canberra, but the fact remains that next year you'll have a collective match experience of around 350 matches in your entire first grade team. That could help some teams, but could also harm them. I have no doubt Canberra juniors have the talent and that if you keep your forwards on the field you will succeed, but to say Matt Elliot hasn't influenced the likes of Troy Thompson, Thom Learoyd Lars and Alan Tongue to performing to the best of their abilities while in Canberra, is a ridiculous notion.

 

[choc_soldier]

The question is whether Smith will be in our 25 man squad next year? Maybe, but he'll find it hard to crack into first grade (unless he's being groomed as our "saviour" in the centres).

 

[Raider_69]

"Lock up your daughters, lock up your wives, lock up the back door and run for your life... Smithy is back in town!"

Im keen as to run into him at the penrith night spots and having a yarn, awesome bloke, loves a late night on the piss! Sadly thats why he isnt much of a player, i rate him talent wise, good footwork and very strong, solid under the high ball... but as skeepe suggested his attitude to his footy sucks