Chance for turnaround after ‘scrappy’ year

• Published date: 24 June 2022
• Publication title: Sports Tab

Smith hopes a strong performance against Mate Ma’a Tonga tomorrow can kick-start his Melbourne Storm season and also put him in a good place for the Rugby League World Cup in England

Given the heights he has reached in recent years — recognised as the 2021 Dally M Hooker of the year — this season has been a dip.

Smith has been shuffled around, playing off the bench and at lock. And when he has played dummy half, it has often been after a week of training in the middle.

But Smith admits that his tumultuous off-season has played a part.

‘‘It’s been a scrappy year, probably 6 out of 10. I always knew it was going to be after everything that went down.

‘‘Hopefully I have a good game ... and build a bit of confidence going back to club land.’’

Last September Smith was one of three Storm players featured in a leaked video, alleged to be taking an illicit substance.

It led to a heavy fine and a one-game suspension, before candid comments in a November podcast interview about the Storm’s drinking culture and his dreams of premiership glory with the Roosters led to more intense scrutiny.

His extended transfer negotiations — pursued by several clubs — also kept him in the spotlight. He officially signed with the Bondi club in December.

Smith tried to disappear from sight.

‘‘I stayed around my family in Brisbane. I just stayed with them. They were my inner sanctum and didn’t really judge me as bad as everyone else did. At the end of the day, they love me and wanted me to be OK.’’

Smith also had to repair the relationship with Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

‘‘He said ‘I’m not going to hold any grudges against you ... I need you to play well’.

‘‘That is who he is; you want to play for him, you want to win...