tyniej said:
thats great news, i thought at the start of his contract he might still be a bit hot headed and cost a couple of games with silly penalties, but he's been really good, and will be again next season,with more time to rest.
As did I. He had a big problem with lifting his knees for a while there at St George, from memory. He was pretty much banished to England because of numerous run-ins with the judiciary. I think we're seeing a far better player now.
It was last night that convinced me that I respected Smith. I was already disappointed that we had heard talk he wouldn't be offered a contract. His form this year has been incredible. But on NBN News last night he said he was really enjoying himself, and you could see it in his eyes. He's ready for another year, and his body seems to agree. The man has tremendous pride in his new colours -- he strikes me as a passionate man... a real asset for the club if he signs up for another year.
You're right -- we'd have a pretty good engine room (with Buderus at Hooker and his understudy Quigley on stand-by if Danny is injured). My only concern is that all four players are injury-proned:
- Smith simply because he's getting on in years.
- Davico has had ongoing problems, hence the reason we picked him up... in the hope he would be a bargain like Smith.
- Perry can't manage to stay on the field for more than a few games (case in point his current injury -- just a few weeks after returning) and is suspended the rest of the time.
- Earlier in the year, Woolnough was ruled out of football indefinately. There was a time there when I didn't think he'd be back, certainly not in 2005. I think his neck/back problems still plague him... it's the sort of thing that might hang around.
We'll see how we go. I'm sure I can be forgiven for being a bit skeptical about our four props, especially after three seasons of injury.