Poppa's Corner: A Very Special Young Man Who Just Happens to Be a Parramatta Player

In our well-justified praise of Ryley Smith, there is a big thing being missed: his ability to read the game and footy IQ.

He is a couple of plays ahead and anticipating every move both in defence, primarily at present, but also in setting up the attack.

He is remarkably intelligent as a footballer, and I suspect he is smart off field as well.

Just watch how he puts himself in position to harass the kicker when the opposition are on the 4th and 5th tackle.

Just watch the way he reads the fullback and wingers positioning to kick for field position and game management. He might not be nailing those 40-20s yet, but don't be surprised if he does soon enough.

His elite cricketing skills would help. It's not just about peripheral 360-degree vision on a cricket wagon wheel. It's about space.

When he is on-field we seem so much more organised.

I feel somewhat sorry for poor young TDS who is being compared to him, and whilst he is a handy and promising player, he is not in the same league as our Ryley.

Ryley is a born leader.

Now before I get more excited about what I am saying, stop, and think: Who does he remind you of?

No, not Reed Mahoney. He is "steam roller fodder" in comparison. This kid stands up to the biggest forwards and still downs them.

He is not particularly fast. He hardly misses a tackle. He can kick. And manages to find himself in the right place at the right time.

Any more guesses? That's right, Cameron Smith. The GOAT! He is exactly the same style of player.

We have something special with this young man.

Ryley Smith opens up in a broad-ranging interview with SEN Radio, 2 December 2025.

"Yes Poppa I think you are right, concede I may have to make allowances. Specially for guys I like, you just scrape in to that group Pops.....chuckle"

"I suspect your right Richard, unless we can back date his medical certificate to an old injury, I wonder why someone like PVL or Abdo may agree to it..... LOL"

"Michael W. Its a bit like "fattening" the calf, in around about sort of way, not disimilar to Pezit. We need a hooker for a year or two until the junior hookers come through. Whilst TDS is contracted to 2028 I am sure we would let him go to a club…"

Replies

- - TolEllts > Poppa February 23, 2026 at 5:24pm
    
    LOL!
Coryn Hughes February 23, 2026 at 3:52pm

Another Riff raid coming good.

Firstly Hopgood then Hands and now Smith hell wasn't Sivo in amongst the Riff setup at some point long May we keep raiding the farkers
- SuperEel 22 > Coryn Hughes February 23, 2026 at 3:54pm
  
  Maika was a Riff project that we pinched.
  - Poppa > SuperEel 22 February 23, 2026 at 3:57pm
    
    Yep and we gave them Talagi, I think we are in front by a country mile!
- EA > Coryn Hughes February 23, 2026 at 4:54pm
  
  Iongi
  - Coryn Hughes > EA February 23, 2026 at 5:27pm
    
    Probably will be the best of the lot.
    
    RCG Waqa Blake oh well can't win 'em all.
    - Richard Jackson > Coryn Hughes February 23, 2026 at 5:37pm
      
      I've always noticed that your footy Knowledge was unparralled Cory, but I'm surprised, if I've read it right, you didn't rate RCG
      - Poppa > Richard Jackson February 23, 2026 at 6:12pm
        
        Yeh! I agree Richard, I feel we got good value out of Reggie and it was only at the very end we lost him. Very comfortable him being pensioned off to the Titans just the same.
        
        I think Coryn just got RCG and Waqa caught up in the same sentence.
        
        Richard Jackson > Poppa February 23, 2026 at 6:42pm
        
        Yes Poppa I think you are right, concede I may have to make allowances. Specially for guys I like, you just scrape in to that group Pops.....chuckle
Parra_Greg February 23, 2026 at 5:29pm

Not often I agree with a poppa blog but I do this time...Nice blog sir....ha!