Tim Smith in another jersey

While I'm absolutely delighted for Tim Smith, I have to say I felt sick seeing him in another jersey tonight.

I hope whoever in the club's administration, that decided not to throw Tim a lifeline, despite the fact he was willing to come back on minimum wage has spent the night cleaning pie of their face.

First game back in the NRL and he kicked for 484 metres, as well as forcing a number of repeat sets. He led the Sharks superbly around the park and in short provided everything how halves have not been able to reproduce.

I have no doubt he would have been the perfect foil for Jarryd Hayne, had he joined us. He would have led us in general play, and Hayne would have had far less pressure on him to always be at the centre of our attack. Throw in a good all-round half like either Mortimer or Keating at five-eighth and you've got a perfect balanced line up. Listening to him talking after the match, I have no doubt he felt slighted that the Eels didn't give him a chance and I'm sure he would have taken a lot of satisfaction out of tonight and well he should.

I'm not the type of person who laments lost players, but Tim was special. I'm not happy with the way we played tonight, but I'm positively filfthy that we failed to bring Tim back home.\

*sigh*

"The eels have always been quite, there's been a response from Moses answering a question and Ryles answering a question there's been no noise from anyone. "

Replies

Camo73 April 4, 2010 at 6:36am

I think I was watching with very similar eyes.
Despite the rain and the loud voices singing the Sharks victory song around me I chose to stay and listen to his on field interview. He is still a very special player and for a first game in a new team (with less than a week's preparation) he did a fantastic job. He didn't over play his hand and he was quite cautious with his passing game. He only ran once or twice but he chose the right time to run and almost cut us open.
I'm sure he scored himself some Dally M points as well.

The better half back was not wearing the blue and gold.
GOlling April 4, 2010 at 6:49am

Tim has no running game. Robo has no running game.

Tim has one of the best kicking games in the NRL, we have no kicking game.

Id swap KK, Robo, Humble for Tim Smith and Joe G.

Which would be about the cap values.
Djl April 4, 2010 at 10:47am

Cant believe Tim smith had a chance to come back and osbourne said we dont him back because he is scum what a fucking joke. I Hate paul for that. Yer hes building a good culture at our club , free from all junkies and alchoholics, even if it means losing fuckin 20 games out of 26 he doesnt care about talent just as long as there past is clean.
David April 4, 2010 at 10:52am

You see I was the first one who called for him back on the old site. I said he would be a great signing for $150,000. Then the week later I posted the article on Ray Price wanting him back. When I watched his Wigan games, I knew he would be brilliant when he came back to the NRL. You actually agreed back on the old site about bringing him back but thought we had enough halves in Mortimer and Kelly and couldn't afford him.
qld eel April 4, 2010 at 10:52am

totally agree 1eyed, I was cursing the day we said no to Tim coming back, he was and still will be a great gamebreaking half and parra will rue their decision not to take him back....I wish him all the best for the future
tobiasfunke April 4, 2010 at 5:47pm

Hi 1Eyed Eel. Long time lurker but your post made me feel I should make an account to agree with your opening post. I am stunned that the Eels administration refused to take back Tim Smith on minimum wage. He is a geniune halfback and something we obviously lacked. At the moment I think there's too much pressure on Hayne because he's being forced to do everything. I still remember that game against the Broncos in 2007 where we won 68-22. Tim Smith and Jarryd Hayne performed such a perfect combination that day.

Watching Tim Smith lead a side around while we struggle with options in the halves after we had the chance to sign him at minimum wage makes it a very bitter pill to swallow.
jamesy April 4, 2010 at 6:20pm

when Tim can play well in more than 1 out of 5 games then we should look at trying to get him back. I still remember how inconsistant Tim was for us and we still started seasons slowly with him in our side. Tim isn't that great however he is better than Robson and Kris Keating.
eels_brad April 4, 2010 at 6:25pm

Whilst I see your point 1eyed, I can't help but disagree

Smith is inconsistent. He was always going to have a big game against us especially in his 1st game for a new club. See how he is going in a months time after 3 poor games!!

Yes, he has more talent than Robson, no one is taking that way from him, but Robson did what Tim couldn't, took us to a GF. Our 05 side with Smith was a stronger team than last years.

I wish Tim all the best at the Sharks, but I well and truely ain't losing sleep that he isn't with us, and neither will any of you once we click and start winning games
big black guy April 4, 2010 at 8:22pm

Meh, timmy smith only got me 12 points in my fantasy team the bastard.
timbodavo April 4, 2010 at 8:29pm

Yep my wife and i were both sittin there when he ran out in cronulla jersey just shaking our heads. NOT RIGHT!