NRL General Discussion Thread

[broncsgoat]

Wow! Could he be prepping for a role though?

He played a fat fucker in a mini series, but I just googled pics of the real bloke he was portraying and it seems rusty took it a bit far

 

[Alec]

Well Souths now have the free Maccas cards apparently.

MAXIMUS Decimus Meridius.

 

[Super Freak]

He played a fat fucker in a mini series, but I just googled pics of the real bloke he was portraying and it seems rusty took it a bit far

I'm pretty sure he was wearing a fat suit for that production, though.

 

[broncsgoat]

I'm pretty sure he was wearing a fat suit for that production, though.

Grew to love it apparently

 

[Dexter]

I'd say he's asking for the honey roll over and lettuce on top.

 

[Sirlee oldman]

I'd say he's asking for the honey roll over and lettuce on top.

I don’t think he’s in good enough shape to hold that roll up. I reckon he’s asking her to get her eggs over easy.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Smith in line for shock switch to halfback for Storm
Adrian ProszenkoNovember 19, 2019 — 9.00pm

The Melbourne Storm are considering making one of the biggest positional shifts in NRL history by switching Cameron Smith to halfback.
Smith is widely acknowledged as the greatest hooker of all time - if nzot the greatest player ever - after revolutionising the way the game is played out of dummy half. However, the Herald can reveal the Storm could drop a bombshell by shifting the former Queensland and Australian captain to the No.7 jersey next year.

Cameron Smith will play on next year, but perhaps not in his customary No.9 jersey.Getty Images
The plan was discussed briefly at a meeting of Storm powerbrokers including Smith and coach Craig Bellamy last week. A final decision on whether to go ahead hasn’t been made, although all parties are open to the prospect of reconfiguring the Storm spine.
Under the proposal, Smith would partner Cameron Munster in the halves, Brandon Smith would become the new fulltime hooker and Ryan Papenhuyzen would remain at fullback.
Jahrome Hughes, who finished last season at halfback, would shift to the centres to cover for the expected departure of Curtis Scott to Canberra.
The move would make it even more difficult for Brodie Croft, already on the outer, to earn a halves spot in 2020.

Smith set to play on in 2020

Cameron Smith has indicated that he's set to continue his NRL career with the Melbourne Storm next season.
The Melbourne brains trust came up with the plan in a bid to maximise the talents on their roster after Smith confirmed he would be playing on in 2020. The 36-year-old had indicated he may have played his last game after his side’s preliminary final loss to the Roosters, but has now opted to see out the final year of his contract.
A shift into from hooker to halfback could have a number of benefits for Smith and the Storm. Smith made 1,059 tackles last season at an average of 39 per match, a load that would drop dramatically if he is no longer defending in the middle of the field. It could even prolong Smith’s career and tempt him to play on in 2021, giving him the chance to increase his games appearance record to a mark that will never be challenged.
Related Article

Another consideration is the fact that Smith often plays like a pseudo-halfback already. Not only does he already possess the kicking and passing games of the best No.7s, the two-time Dally M medalist could still manage a game just as effectively from first receiver.
The move would also allow provide an opportunity for Brandon Smith to become more involved while still learning from the game’s best hooker, assisting the transition to when Smith eventually retires.
Smith’s preference is to retain the No.9 jersey, although he didn’t rule out a shift altogether when Bellamy put the proposal to him. The pair will likely continue to go through the pros and cons before an ultimate call is made.
Smith indicated his was in the right headspace to play on for a 19th NRL season after enjoying a six-week break.
Related Article

"I haven't spoken to Craig officially about next year; we've had some discussions about the way I've pulled up from the season just gone and where I'm at, at the moment, with my thoughts on next year," Smith told AAP last week.
"I must say I feel a lot better than I did a week or two weeks after we finished up. It takes a little bit to get over that disappointment, I guess more so now being older and knowing that the chances are running out.
"But I feel a lot better now about playing on next year and this will be a good chance to see what his thoughts are.”
The Storm need to shed at least one player to be salary cap compliant next year. Scott’s move to the Raiders is expected to be finalised in coming days, while Croft may also exit despite initial talks with Brisbane breaking down.
Smith may not be the only dummy half experiencing a change in 2020. The Dragons confirmed the signing of Issac Luke on a one-year deal after the Warriors opted not to offer him an extension.
"To have a really established back-up player of his calibre is exciting,” said St George Illawarra’s list manager Ian Millward.
“Our coaching staff were keen to have him on our roster with plans in mind regarding how they'd like to play him, which have already been discussed with Issac as well as Cameron (McInnes).”
In other signing news, Wests Tigers' Alex Twal, Canberra’s Sam Williams and Gold Coast's Phillip Sami all recommitted to their clubs on new two-year deals.
Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita has also re-signed on a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2022.

Smith in line for shock switch to halfback for Storm

In one of the biggest positional gambles of them all, the Storm is considering switching the greatest hooker of all time into the No.7 jersey.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

 

[The Strapper]

I have also heard that it looks like valentine Holmes will be returning to the nrl next season to play for the cowboys. Still to be confirmed though.

 

[Super Freak]

Smith to halfback an option?

Maybe I was wrong about Bellamy. Maybe he has lost the fucking plot.

 

[broncsgoat]

Smith to halfback an option?

Maybe I was wrong about Bellamy. Maybe he has lost the fucking plot.

They really mustn't rate Croft.

Or really rate BSmith I guess..

 

[Kimlo]

Surely they'll budge on their asking price if Smith does go to halfback?

What's the point of burning 400k in reserves if you can get like 300k off the books.

 

[Battler]

They really mustn't rate Croft.

Or really rate BSmith I guess..

I feel like it's the latter. They have to also get Grant in the team somehow.

 

[Sproj]

If they don't see Croft as the future, fine, Smith is a good extremely short-term option.

 

[mitch222]

If they don't see Croft as the future, fine, Smith is a good extremely short-term option.

Who knows how long Smith will play on for. At halfback he could prolong his career for another 2-3 years at his rate.

 

[Fozz]

The year is 2030, Cam Smith is named Dally M half of the year for the ninth year in a row after every other half back suffers a knee injury while playing against the Storm.

The Titans have also won their eleventh wooden spoon in a row.

 

[The Strapper]

The year is 2030, Cam Smith is named Dally M half of the year for the ninth year in a row after every other half back suffers a knee injury while playing against the Storm.

The Titans have also won their eleventh wooden spoon in a row.

Any premierships for us during that time?

 

[broncos4life]

Any premierships for us during that time?

Not yet, but it looks like our premiership window is opening by 2035 following on from the retirements of Darius Boyd and Andrew McCullough at the end of 2030.

 

[Foordy]

Any premierships for us during that time?

we'll be going for our 9th ... beating the Storm in all GF's