Smith not looking for any charity

[JessEel]

Smith not looking for any charity

10/09/2007 1:37:34 PM
Adam Lucius

Sportal




Wounded Parramatta half-back Tim Smith will not seek extra protection - or be granted any - when the Eels meet old rivals Canterbury in Saturday night's elimination blockbuster at Telstra Stadium.
Smith has been carrying a suspect shoulder for several weeks and has been warned one more heavy knock could prematurely end his season.
The ruthless Bulldogs forward pack has signalled its intention to target the Parramatta playmaker, but he is unconcerned about the reception awaiting him.
"It hasn't played on my mind at all. I'll just keep playing like I have the last three weeks," Smith said on Monday.
"It's not painful at all. It's strong enough to keep going."
"You've got to expect a little bit every now and then."
"Footy's a physical game and obviously you're going to get knocked around a little bit."
"I'm not an altar boy…I can look after myself now."
"You've just got to get on with it."
Experienced Parramatta forward Nathan Hindmarsh laughed off suggestions Smith would be offered extra security.
"I don't think you can give any player protection these days," Hindmarsh said.
"If they're going to find him, they'll find him."
"Timmy's just going to have to cop it on the chin and play his best footy."
"(He shouldn't) worry about what they're going to do to him, just concentrate on what he's going to do to them."
"He's had a few years of first grade and I think he can handle it."
Parramatta coach Michael Hagan is also unfazed at the prospect of Smith being targeted.
He pointed out all No 7s cop their fair share of punishment.
"It's not a real big issue for us. We'll take our chances," Hagan declared.
"He's been really good, playing with a bit of pain and getting through games alright."
"He's defended really well in the last couple of games in spite of that."
"I don't think it will change how teams run people at him. That happens every week whether you've got a crook shoulder or not."


http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/league-news-display/smith-not-looking-for-any-charity-35329

 

[The Engineers Room]

Tim is one of the worst defenders but he always puts in the effort. I just wish that he would go low and not arm grab. With a backrower next to him he only needs to make sure he gets one man.

 

[Hellsy]

Tim hasnt been too bad, I can think of worse offenders

 

[Gronk]

I'm worried about Timmy. Like Benji, he seems destined to play out his career with shoulder issues. Has there been such a player who has had a couple of reconstructions yet come out the other side OK ? I'd be surprised.

 

[hineyrulz]

Timmy has shown he is tough enough to cut it at first grade level, all he needs now is improve his consistency. Go Timmy!!!!!

 

[jayman]

theres too much worry about timmy.. he will be fine..

he doesnt have a chronic shoulder problem like benji.. id be more worried if timmy already had an operation and he re-injured himself..

mullen also had a shoulder operation that ruled him out of the 2007 season..

its a common problem in football..chad robinson also had a dislocation.. i wouldnt be surprised if he had a 'precaution' operation at the end of the season too..

 

[parra pete]

Don't hide him on the wing. Let him guts it out..around the ruck. At least the forwards will know where he is...

 

[pazzaeel]

I'm worried about Timmy. Like Benji, he seems destined to play out his career with shoulder issues. Has there been such a player who has had a couple of reconstructions yet come out the other side OK ? I'd be surprised.

This is his first dislocation is it not? he broke is collarbone last year i beleive. however, shoulders are a worry. i do remember one other great parra half succumbing to a shoulder injury.

 

[xr62nv]

This article is probably similar so thought i'd just post it in here


No special treatment for Smith

TIM Smith was told in no uncertain terms that his Parramatta forwards cannot protect him or his suspect shoulder in Saturday's elimination final against the Bulldogs.

After Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Mason ran at Cowboys' halfback Johnathan Thuron the last two Saturday nights, knocking him off balance after a kick, Smith can expect the same attention at Telstra Stadium this weekend. He knows he will be targeted and so do his teammates and coach. But if the halfback was thinking they might be able to offer him some protection, given his right shoulder has popped out three times in the past five weeks, Smith can think again.

"I don't think you can give any player protection these days. If they're going to find him, they'll find him," second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh said. "Timmy is just going to have to cop it on the chin, try and play his best footy and not worry about what they are going to do to him - just concentrate on what he can do to them."
The 22-year-old dislocated the shoulder against the Sharks in round 22 and again in round 23 against the Storm. It popped out and back in against the Warriors in last Friday night's qualifying final in Auckland, which the Eels won 14-12.

Captain Nathan Cayless also thought Smith would have to look after himself, adding that when it popped out for the second time against the Storm, it did not affect his play. The Eels lost a close battle 14-10. "He's a tough kid Tim," Cayless said. "He'll just keep going. As we saw on the weekend, he bounced back from it, laid on a few tries and did the same against Melbourne. The shoulder popped out and came back in and he played a big role in us almost winning that game.
"He can handle it. He'll be all right."

Coach Michael Hagan was philosophical about the prospect of his chief playmaker with a wonky shoulder taking on the aggressive Bulldogs pack. "He's defended really well in the last couple of games in spite of that," Hagan said. "I don't think it's going to change him or how teams run at him. That happens every week whether you've got a crook shoulder or not." Hagan agreed with Hindmarsh's assessment that the forwards could not really protect Smith. "He's confident enough in himself to work around that," Hagan said. As far as Smith is concerned, he does not feel abandoned.

"'Hindy' is probably spot on," Smith said. "Footy is a physical game and you're going to get knocked around a little bit. I'm an older boy now. I can look after myself. You've just got to get on with it." But Smith does think the rulemakers could look at ways to protect the game's kickers. Although Smith maintained he was not playing in pain, Hagan said he was and paid tribute to him for it. "We'll take our chances - he's been really good too, playing with a bit of pain but getting through games all right," Hagan said.

Smith said he did not feel tentative at all about his shoulder and worked hard each week in the gym and with the club's physios to strengthen the muscles around the joint. End-of-season surgery awaits him. Cayless said the team had no fears about Smith being unable to finish the game. He also said he expected the Bulldogs to target his halfback. "They'd be silly not to because he's our kicker," Cayless said. "Every team puts pressure on each kicker and Brent Sherwin will get his fair share."

link : http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22397877-23214,00.html