Raiders release Dobson, Sign N Smith

[dubby]

Not entirely happy with this, but we should get more game time from him than Nev "I miss QLD" Costigan.

Dobson released

CANBERRA has today signed hard-working Penrith lock Nathan Smith to a three-year deal.

An ACT junior, Smith began his career with the Raiders and will rejoin the Green Machine next season.

He left Canberra last year with coach Matthew Elliott, who tried desperately to keep the 25-year-old at the foot of the mountains. Smith has been Penrith’s most consistent player since he arrived, and has not missed game for the Panthers. He also won the club’s Best and Fairest Award last season.

The Daily Telegraph understands Smith was keen to remain a Panther, but could not afford to knock back Canberra’s handsome offer.

It is understood the Raiders have signed Smith as a replacement for Maroons back rower Neville Costigan, who is expected to join Gold Coast in 2009.

The Raiders have also agreed to immediately back-up half Michael Dobson to UK club Hull KR. Dobson will fly out on Monday

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23622417-5006066,00.html

 

[The Nature Boy]

I don't why Canberra signed him he is a small lock but you have a good one in Alan Tongue i can not see him being any use as a secondrower he is to small and does not take the line on much

 

[skeepe]

Why why why? Nathan Smith is rubbish.

 

[The Nature Boy]

correction 200k a season rubbish

 

[Charlie124]

I don't why Canberra signed him he is a small lock but you have a good one in Alan Tongue i can not see him being any use as a secondrower he is to small and does not take the line on much

Thats true, but at least they didnt pay much for him......oh wait..:sarcasm:

"Smith was keen to remain a Panther, but could not afford to knock back Canberra’s handsome offer"

 

[madunit]

damn, we were backing on Canberra to make a handsome offer to O'Hara

 

[Raider_69]

A-Ok with the release of dobson, he is an ESL specialist, his defense is just too bad for NRL footy

but i dont know where to begin with the signing of nathen smith... why canberra? why?

 

[Harold Bishop]

Geeze you would hope the "handsome offer" wasn't any more than 100k. Why sign him when you have Tongue, Tom LL, Picker and Joel Thompson?
About as effective as Luke Williamson and Daniel Wagon in attack.

 

[Raider_69]

Geeze you would hope the "handsome offer" wasn't any more than 100k. Why sign him when you have Tongue, Tom LL, Picker and Joel Thompson?
About as effective as Luke Williamson and Daniel Wagon in attack.

f**king good question... and may i add Nigel Plum to that list... along with Fensom and Kennedy who are in our U20's squad... along with M.Chalk who is a backrow option these days...Unless we are losing Ben Jones (I hope so), Glen Turner (i hope so) and Nevelle Costigan (50/50) then i cant see the logic in this signing... unless of course Souths Logan need a backrower

 

[julian87]

Makes no sense at all.

 

[macavity]

:lol:

I reckon Canberra were just shocked someone said yes...

 

[Raider_69]

:lol:

I reckon Canberra were just shocked someone said yes...

Stuey Flannagan said yes
and he did so after knocking back approches from the knights ;-)

 

[mxlegend99]

This is the best news of the season for the Panthers.

I was so worried we would lock him up and be stuck with him... i feel bad for the Raiders though. They don't deserve to be stuck with him.

 

[brooksy19]

Take O'Hara and we'll throw in Johnny Morris. We'll take Costigan.

 

[TeamSatan]

A coaches favourite gone from the panthers ....thats ok.

I just hope that they dont buy Luke Swain to replace him.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Ive always liked Nathan Smiths play at the panthers , he always gives his all even though he is not an attacking weapon.

Still im not that dissapointed to see him go.

Hopefully Shane Rodney can come back and play in the back row next season.

 

[Raider Azz]

This is the best news of the season for the Panthers.

I was so worried we would lock him up and be stuck with him... i feel bad for the Raiders though. They don't deserve to be stuck with him.

id rather be stuck with nathan smith than matt elliot...

i heard marshall chalk may be off to QLD next year. if that happens, then smith would be a decent replacement for chalk as a utility.

and the "handsome offer" is 200k over two seasons. hardly handsome, but it is the daily telecrap reporting - so what do you expect.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

I always thought Dobson went ok. Canberra always looked more of a threat with him at 7. Imo:

6. Carney
7. Dobson
13. Campese

was the best combo for the Raiders. Dobson has a much better kicking game than Campese and having Dobson at half allow's Campese to chime in and take on the line. Not the best defender in the world but what halfback is?

 

[raidersforme]

Telecrap revised version now online

CANBERRA has today signed hard-working Penrith lock Nathan Smith to a three-year deal. An ACT junior, Smith began his career with the Raiders and will rejoin the Green Machine next season.

He left Canberra last year with coach Matthew Elliott, who tried desperately to keep the 25-year-old at the foot of the mountains. Smith has been Penrith’s most consistent player since he arrived, and has not missed game for the Panthers. He also won the club’s Best and Fairest Award last season.

The Daily Telegraph understands Smith was keen to remain a Panther, but could not afford to knock back Canberra’s handsome offer.
Smith said he was excited to be returning to a side that was full of young talent. "Obviously guys like Todd Carney and Joel Monaghan are players that would slot into any side so I'm keen to play with them,'' said Smith.
"The Raiders are a club on the up and I think they can only improve in the years ahead.''
Raiders CEO Don Furner said the club was happy that Smith has agreed to return and was looking forward to having his impact in the side next year. "Nathan wanted to return home and we thought his form over the past two seasons has warranted his return to Canberra,'' Furner said.
"He's developed into a great player, and we're really excited that he's returning to Canberra.''

It is understood the Raiders have signed Smith as a replacement for Maroons back rower Neville Costigan, who is expected to join Gold Coast in 2009.

The Raiders have also agreed to immediately back-up half Michael Dobson to UK club Hull KR. Dobson will fly out on Monday.



http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006066,00.html



Don't the two bits in bold contradict each other, the telecrap just inject there own sh*te into story's

 

[raiders fan forever]

wow way to go canberra..