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I thought he'd be right up your alley Pops with Smith being an ex age grade Aussie cricketer.
Me I just love the guys effort and workrate I'm taking that over talent everyday of the week.Some players have it and some just don't.
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Your right about work rate, many players have that, but this kid is smart and co-incidently a very left handed player, he might not be a goal kicker of the GOAT quality yet, but he obviously know's something about kicking.
Finally you are right about his cricket background, Australian under 19 rep, opening batsman.....choosing Rugby League as a hooker in comparison to cricket makes me think and stop about what I said "intelligence wise" LOL
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Ryley is just a good bloke, as most if not all the squad are.
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Good blokes don't get my attention the way this one does LB.
Just a bit curious, I have noted you were not quite a fan as he came through, pushed TDS a bit harder, also noticed your coming around a bit more in another post.....but this post "just a good bloke" sounds like the obligatory kiss goodbye to mum when going to school! Hmmm do you know him?
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Told you before he played his first game for us for watch this kid .mate of my grandson and a good St Doms boy😁
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Bobby, if you know him and endorse him then he could be the second coming.....in Hector we trust!
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There are a couple of interesting points regarding Ryley's development as a player. The first is that he played hooker, lock and half in Penrith's lower grades. It's similar to Cam Smith's development as Smith came through as a half before Bellamy switched him to hooker.
The second is his experience as a high level cricketer. There is plenty of research that children who play multiple sports into adulthood develop a more well-rounded skillset.
Penrith's lower grade coaches regularly rated Smith highly in terms of footy smarts and toughness.
I hope we lock Smith down long term.
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He also has a fair goal kick on him too pops. He strikes them true. This time last year nobody had heard of Ryley.
I first laid my eyes on him at pre season training at Fairfield showground 2024. He carved everyone up on that day and won every fitness drill.
Went to Fairfield again in December and it was Lincoln fletcher carving everyone up and actually beating Ryley. Keep your eyes out for fletcher. A definite future star
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Mentioned that in my reply to Coryn Chief, yes I have been watching the rhetoric on Fletcher as well, specifically your commentary at that training session you refer to.... well spotted Chiefy, lets hope they both go through to the very top.
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More stuff to read
"Will we ever get a full season out of him?? "
"I am starting to think the same. Samrani and Papalii as 18th and 19th man with Tuilagi starting the year in NSW Cup."
"I don't understand why we went for such a long contract with TDS unless Ryles really wanted a 2 hooker rotation. With the 6 again and speed of the game I think a quick running dummy half is needed and that probably wasn't Ryley strongest area. At…"
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.