@Russell said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1280974) said:@JC99 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1280919) said:@avocadoontoast said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1280914) said:@JC99 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1280890) said:@Tiger5150 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1280876) said:Im going to put forward an unpopular opinion. I think Brandon Smith would be bad for the Tigers.
He is a great footballer, but as a hooker, I dont seem him as a technician, he is kind of like the Josh Reynolds (except with ability and talent) of hookers in that everthing is about effort and energy, pace. IMO at our stage of play we need a technician at 9. Good service, fast service, run when needed, get players where they need to be.
As a lock/middle forward, again all he has is effort. He is small and will never be elite in this position.
And he would cost us a lot of $$$$
Love the bloke, great player. Not for us IMO.
He would be our best player or close to it. We had an energetic hooker in Grant and he absolutely carved up. It will all depend on how are halves are doing anyway, if they aren’t smashing it then having a hooker who can create opportunities and do a lot of work will improve us greatly. If they’re going well then smith is still a fantastic hooker who’s a great defender can run the ball well and is 100% energy, don’t see how that’s a downside at all. He would improve our team no matter what I feel
He’d be our best player.
People forget how good a hooker he is because he’s been playing as a forward and because Harry is so good as well. He’s got great service, strong defender strong runner of the ball and he’s a ball of energy, only thing I haven’t seen is a kicking game but that’s fine.
He’s a great character he’s someone players want to play with and he’s the perfect fit for us. We’ve got money to spend so money isn’t an issue he just ticks all the boxes
I haven't forgotten how good a hooker he is - I just don't think he is that good a hooker. Someone suggested that he was a Reynolds with more energy and talent - I think that is a good summation.
He is not a great hooker, certainly not in the class of Cam Smith, Grant, Hodgson or Koroisau. He is not a great lock, certainly not in the class of Murray, Radley, Trbojevic, Taumalolo, Tarpine, Finucane, Yeo or Brown.
So a lot of money to pay for a player that is "just a ball of energy" - do we really want another Reynolds - we just got rid of him. we have the best two young hookers in the NRL - that people want to replace.
For the money he expects and demands to play hooker - I would want a much better DH, one that can organise the attack (not sure he can do that) and has a really good kicking game.
I don't think he ticks all the boxes by a long shot.
If you want a better hooker you’ll be needing to sign Hodgson, Grant, Cook, Cam Smith or Korisau. He’s top class, once he’s back at hooker you’ll see it. Comparing him to Reynolds is laughable, the bloke has played for Melbourne and internationally at hooker and killed it. To say he is just an average dummy half is very questionable to say the least. I’m also keen to see how our young hookers go, both have plenty of potential