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Tim Smith (rugby league footballer)
Encyclopedia
Timothy Aiden Smith is an Australian professional rugby league
footballer for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
in Superleague. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL. He signed with the Brisbane Broncos
for the 2010 season but did not make an appearance, which led to his move to the Sharks. He previously played for the Wigan Warriors
of Super League
and before that in the NRL with the Parramatta Eels
. His usual position is in the halves.
and won the rookie of the year award at the 2005 Dally M Awards
after leading the competition in try assists. He also received much acclaim from Parramatta legend Peter Sterling
, who "handed over" the Eels #7 jersey in an episode of The NRL Footy Show
in the middle of 2005. With 40 try assists in his debut season Smith entered the NRL scene with a bang, he was labeled as the next 'Joey' and 'Sterlo'.
In December 2005, Tim Smith was allegedly involved in a street scuffle with a man in the inner-Sydney suburb of The Rocks
. He denied any such action and no charges were laid.
In December 2007, further allegations of public drunken behaviour were made against Smith.
Smith was suspended indefinitely by the Eels. He remained on contract with the club, and Parramatta stated the most important issue was his health. Smith booked himself into full-time rehabilitation interstate. On 8 January 2008 the Parramatta Club reviewed his behaviour at the rehabilitation clinic and lifted his suspension but he was subject to a number of sanctions which included a fine and charity work.
Early in the 2008 season, after just three games of football, Smith advised his club and team-mates that he was suffering from bipolar disorder. He then gave a statement to the media saying he had been given an indefinite leave from football, saying he was having trouble coping with the constant criticism from the media.
Tim returned to his family in the Gold Coast, with the aim to rest and recuperate with the aim of returning to professional rugby league in the future.
announced in June 2008 that they had signed Tim Smith for the remainder of the 2008 season and 2009.
Smith linked up with his new teammates in July once his work-permit has been approved, after weeks of visa complications. He played his professional debut for the club in a home loss to the Huddersfield Giants
, although the mental illness that had ended his season for the Parramatta Eels and lack of match fitness did produce some concern about his ability to play rugby league in Europe's top-flight competition, which was reflected in the terms of his contract to the Wigan Warriors, despite his claims that his bipolar condition was now under control:
Smith showed some excellent form in the first half of the 2009 season, putting together successive man of the match performances, but a shoulder injury ended his season early and he returned to Australia.
Rumours continue to revolve around Smith, with Cronulla looking the most likely home for the young, gifted playmaker. The star halfback recently declared he was hopeful of a return to the Eels and would take a $250,000 pay cut to make it happen, a signing which would no doubt add some more spark and flair to what is a potentially brilliant, young Eels side.
in a bid to win a return to the NRL through their Queensland Cup
feeder side Easts Tigers
. Months later, he signed with the Cronulla Sharks
. In his first match back in the NRL, he played his former club the Parramatta Eels
, and was influential in leading the Sharks to a 11–0 win, scoring a penalty goal and a field goal.
Since then however Smith has been inconsistent and subpar which has resulted in his axing to the NSW Cup.
It has been rumoured that Tim Smith will leave the Sharks to sign with Widnes Vikings
in 2012 following poor performances and the recent signing of Jeff Robson
and resigning of Albert Kelly
and Chad Townsend
by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
in Superleague. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL. He signed with the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
for the 2010 season but did not make an appearance, which led to his move to the Sharks. He previously played for the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
of Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
and before that in the NRL with the Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
. His usual position is in the halves.
Playing career
Smith started his NRL career with the Parramatta EelsParramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
and won the rookie of the year award at the 2005 Dally M Awards
2005 Dally M Awards
The 2005 Dally M Awards were presented on Tuesday 6 September 2005 at the Sydney Town Hall in Sydney and broadcast on Fox Sports. Warren Smith presided as Master of Ceremonies.-Dally M Player of the Year:Dally M Player of the Year...
after leading the competition in try assists. He also received much acclaim from Parramatta legend Peter Sterling
Peter Sterling
Peter Maxwell John "Sterlo" Sterling OAM is an Australian rugby league commentator and former player. He was one of the all-time great halfbacks and a major contributor to Parramatta Eels' dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in the 1980s. Sterling played nineteen Tests for...
, who "handed over" the Eels #7 jersey in an episode of The NRL Footy Show
The NRL Footy Show
The Footy Show is a Logie Award-winning Australian sports variety television programme, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates. Following the success of the AFL program of the same name, the Nine Network quickly developed a version for the rugby league market. The rugby league version has...
in the middle of 2005. With 40 try assists in his debut season Smith entered the NRL scene with a bang, he was labeled as the next 'Joey' and 'Sterlo'.
In December 2005, Tim Smith was allegedly involved in a street scuffle with a man in the inner-Sydney suburb of The Rocks
The Rocks, New South Wales
The Rocks is an urban locality, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney's city centre, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district...
. He denied any such action and no charges were laid.
In December 2007, further allegations of public drunken behaviour were made against Smith.
Smith was suspended indefinitely by the Eels. He remained on contract with the club, and Parramatta stated the most important issue was his health. Smith booked himself into full-time rehabilitation interstate. On 8 January 2008 the Parramatta Club reviewed his behaviour at the rehabilitation clinic and lifted his suspension but he was subject to a number of sanctions which included a fine and charity work.
Early in the 2008 season, after just three games of football, Smith advised his club and team-mates that he was suffering from bipolar disorder. He then gave a statement to the media saying he had been given an indefinite leave from football, saying he was having trouble coping with the constant criticism from the media.
Tim returned to his family in the Gold Coast, with the aim to rest and recuperate with the aim of returning to professional rugby league in the future.
Move to England
Wigan WarriorsWigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
announced in June 2008 that they had signed Tim Smith for the remainder of the 2008 season and 2009.
Smith linked up with his new teammates in July once his work-permit has been approved, after weeks of visa complications. He played his professional debut for the club in a home loss to the Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
, although the mental illness that had ended his season for the Parramatta Eels and lack of match fitness did produce some concern about his ability to play rugby league in Europe's top-flight competition, which was reflected in the terms of his contract to the Wigan Warriors, despite his claims that his bipolar condition was now under control:
Smith showed some excellent form in the first half of the 2009 season, putting together successive man of the match performances, but a shoulder injury ended his season early and he returned to Australia.
Rumours continue to revolve around Smith, with Cronulla looking the most likely home for the young, gifted playmaker. The star halfback recently declared he was hopeful of a return to the Eels and would take a $250,000 pay cut to make it happen, a signing which would no doubt add some more spark and flair to what is a potentially brilliant, young Eels side.
Return to the NRL (2010)
In late 2009, Smith began training with the Brisbane BroncosBrisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
in a bid to win a return to the NRL through their Queensland Cup
Queensland Cup
The Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the State of Queensland, Australia.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.The competition began in 1996 as a...
feeder side Easts Tigers
Easts Tigers
The Eastern Suburbs Tigers are a rugby league club based at Langlands Park, which is in the suburb of Coorparoo in Brisbane, Australia. They competed in the Brisbane Rugby League from 1934 to 1996. From 1996 they have competed in the Queensland Cup. Their jersey is traditionally an all gold jersey...
. Months later, he signed with the Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
. In his first match back in the NRL, he played his former club the Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
, and was influential in leading the Sharks to a 11–0 win, scoring a penalty goal and a field goal.
Since then however Smith has been inconsistent and subpar which has resulted in his axing to the NSW Cup.
It has been rumoured that Tim Smith will leave the Sharks to sign with Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
in 2012 following poor performances and the recent signing of Jeff Robson
Jeff Robson
Jeff Robson is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays at half-back but has also had successful stints playing at five-eighth and hooker...
and resigning of Albert Kelly
Albert Kelly
Albert Kelly is an Australian rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks in the NRL competition. He was educated at Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown. He plays as a . His cousin is Greg Inglis of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He previously played for the Parramatta Eels in the lower...
and Chad Townsend
Chad Townsend
Chad Townsend is a rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks.-Playing career:Chad Townsend, a local Cronulla junior, made his NRL debut for the Cronulla Sharks in round 13 of the 2011 NRL season...
by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Career highlights
- First-grade Debut: Parramatta v Wests Tigers, Telstra Stadium, 12 March 2005 (Rd 1)
- Awards: 2005 Dally M Rookie of the Year (Nominated: Greg Inglis, Leon Bott, Yileen Gordon)
- Parramatta Eels never missed a finals series with Smith at halfback for the entire season