Robbie Farah vs Cameron Smith - Better Hooker?

[tiger_nick]

Smith has a team of superstars to help make him look great. Farah has a team of nevilles that he makes look half decent. Make no mistakes, if we don't have Farah last year we come last by a contry mile.

Farah out played Smith by a mile both times they faced off this year.

On a side note NSW will never win an origin series again whilst Buderus is there. He was a liability this year. Will never question his heart but his just not up to it anymore.

 

[macavity]

I will bookmark this thread for when the Tigpies play the Knights this year.

 

[fourxman]

Farah was in a premiership winning side only a couple of years ago and still hasn't represented NSW or QLD. So saying he plays with nevilles when quite a few of them have played in a GF is crap (I know winge winge we had injuries, so does everyone deal with it!). BTW as long as Buderus makes himself available for Origin, he will remain the Captain and starting hooker. Only chance Farah has is either Halfback or Bench and even then they didn't pick him this year when they were desperate for a halfback!

Smith is by far the best hooker in the league and one of the best players in the game. He got Dally M last year so the Dally M argument about Farah is crap too. Smith has one, Farah doesn't. I noticed that Smith was also nominated for Golden Boot Player this year as well.

Buderus is only ever been good with Joey outside him so he is a hack in my books. Met the guy, he is a good fella but i don't rate him as a player!

 

[Perth Red]

Smith can control the pace of the game and turn it on when his teams need it. Smith by a country mile for me.

 

[Azkatro]

There is about as much neutrality being displayed in this thread as there is in a Rebecca Wilson column. This argument will continue through the years no doubt. I believe the best way to approach it is to go on cold hard facts (and I've done this before so I'm just copying and pasting from another thread):

Cameron Smith
Ron McAuliffe Medal 2005
Dally M Player of the Year 2006
Dally M Hooker of the Year 2006
Wally Lewis Medal 2007
Dally M Representative Player of the Year 2007
Australian Captain 2007

Australia (2006-07); 6 app. (1 int.)
Queensland (2003-07); 13 app.; 1t, 14g, 32pts
Melbourne Storm (2002-07); 119 app. (2 int.); 20t, 244g, 568pts

Robbie Farah
Dally M Hooker of the Year 2007

Australia (PM's XIII 2006); 1 app.
NSW City Origin (2006-07); 2 app.; 1t, 4pts
Wests Tigers (2003-07); 65 app. (13 int.); 20t, 12g, 2fg, 106pts

Farah fans need to face the fact that the only way they can argue in Farah's favour is through opinion. Smith supporters can argue his merits based on fact.

 

[westie]

Lol, you're proving my point. Smith gets by on one of those unfounded reputations that pop up. Still nothing showing that he's a better player on the park. Can any one argue some actual playing capabilities?

 

[Foz]

Both great players.
Forced to choose I'd go for Farah because he has just a touch more of the unexpected in him.(not to say Smith doesnt have any)
Toss of the coin but I'm not a fence sitter so Farah.

 

[smeghead]

Smith has it over Farah at this stage on the statistics you have mentioned.

By your rationale Buderus is also a superior player to Farah. This is where the flaw comes with your reasoning.

As I have said I will reserve judgement until the two have faced off a few times in the rep arena

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

Smith > Daylight > Buderus > Farah

 

[brooksy19]

Cam Smith will keep you in games but he won't win you games by himself like Farah can, there were numerous games this year where if Farah doesn't play Wests don't win, same cannot be said about Smith.

Farah's attack > > > Smith and any hooker in the game.

 

[Mr Angry]

Curious that only Wests fans have voted Farah, Independents vote Smith.

Smith is a very solid defender. Farah is just OK
Smith reads the play much better in defence, makes important tackles quite often, particular in Origin.
Smith has a far superior long kicking. Farah has a better short kicking game.
Smith can be rested by playing 5/8 therefore has better versatility.
Smith can lead his team around the park no matter who the half is.

Farah is a better attacker.

I do rate Farah, but Smith is the best hooker in the game.

 

[fourxman]

I think Smith's kicking game is superior
Smiths defence is superior
Smiths leads a team better
Smith is a leader on the park
Smith is consistent
Smith is durable (ie hasn't been injured seriously, knock on wood)
I think Smith seems to make less errors
Smith doesn't pass the ball forward as much as Farah (despite Farah consistently getting away with it)
I think Farah and Smith are equal on the creating opportunities for line breaks/tries
Farah has a bit more of a x-factor (not often enough though)

 

[westie]

Some helpful stats according to Bigleague and Rleague stats. BTW, these are relevant unlike prizes.

Farah

Tries - 7 (4 more than Smith)

Field Goals - 4 (4 more than Smith)

Long Kicks - Total 112, Opposition 44, Open 68 (Smith fails to appear on the top kickers list)

Tackles - 754 (Smith fails to appear on top tacklers list)

Try Assists - 18 (Smith fails to appear on top assists list)

Smith

Smith dominates goal-kicking - however, Farah is obviously not a goal-kicker at this point in his career.

 

[westie]

Interesting that stats show many perceptions are incorrect.

 

[Mr Angry]

How so?
I bet Kimmorley is on those kicking list, volume does not equal quaility.

 

[kia ora storm]

Smith owns Farah big time...

 

[westie]

How so?
I bet Kimmorley is on those kicking list, volume does not equal quaility.

In order - Prince, Cronk, Smith, Farah, Gower, Monaghan, Orford, Thurston. All quality players and all halves with the exception of Farah. This shows his worth to the team.

In terms of the quality of the kicks.

Farah has the highest rating for hiting open space with kicks. He also kicked to the opposition less times than many of those who are above and below him in terms of numbers of kicks.

What more do you want?

 

[Mr Angry]

A link would be good.

Farah

Tries - 7 (4 more than Smith)

According to rleague Smith scored 4 tries that would be three less. FTR De Gois scored 7 tries too and mainly played off the bench.

Field Goals - 4 (4 more than Smith)

And Cameron had 88 goals, No one from Melbourne kicked a field goal, guess they did not need to, so hardly relevent.

Long Kicks - Total 112, Opposition 44, Open 68 (Smith fails to appear on the top kickers list)

This is where I would like to see the link. As you have quoted "Prince, Cronk, Smith, Farah, Gower, Monaghan, Orford, Thurston" Who is that Smith?

Tackles - 754 (Smith fails to appear on top tacklers list)

Quantity does not equal quality - do you have a stat for many tackles Wests V Melbourne over the season, I would suggest Wests having had a ordinary season defended much more than Melbourne, who dominatated the vast majority of there games by keeping ball in hand. So volume does not mean a lot, IMO.

Try Assists - 18 (Smith fails to appear on top assists list)

Yes see

Farah is a better attacker.

As I said I rate Farah, I just rate Cameron higher

 

[Paul Hewson]

Smith is a better player than Farah at this stage. Both are great players and it is just a shame that Farah has been behind both Buderus and Smith as he wouldn't look out of place in a representative jersey.

Another year like this year for Farah and you might see him in the Blues No.9 Jersey. Still has a bit to do to get Buderus out of there as not only is he the current Blues hooker, but also the captain.

 

[westie]

A link would be good.

According to rleague Smith scored 4 tries that would be three less. FTR De Gois scored 7 tries too and mainly played off the bench.

And Cameron had 88 goals, No one from Melbourne kicked a field goal, guess they did not need to, so hardly relevent.
This is where I would like to see the link. As you have quoted "Prince, Cronk, Smith, Farah, Gower, Monaghan, Orford, Thurston" Who is that Smith?

Quantity does not equal quality - do you have a stat for many tackles Wests V Melbourne over the season, I would suggest Wests having had a ordinary season defended much more than Melbourne, who dominatated the vast majority of there games by keeping ball in hand. So volume does not mean a lot, IMO.

Yes see

As I said I rate Farah, I just rate Cameron higher

Tim Smith.

Bigleague mag grandfinal edition.

I trusted bigleague more than the inconclusive rleague stats page.