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Ben Smith (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Benjamin William Smith is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Parramatta Eels
in the National Rugby League
.
Smith's junior club was the Werris Creek Magpies. He made his first grade debut in Round 20 of the 2004 NRL season for Parramatta against Melbourne Storm
at Olympic Park in Melbourne. The man from Caroona established himself in the NRL in 2005, when he had a boom rookie season alongside club namesake, Tim Smith
. The monster centre of 102 kg, easily big enough to play in the forwards, damaged opposition teams out wide with his size and strength, scoring 14 tries in an outstanding rookie year. The 2006 season loomed as a learning curve season for Smith as after initially showing all the promise he had from the previous season, he sustained a serious leg injury against the North Queensland Cowboys
in round 4, and was sidelined for half the NRL season. He only managed 14 games for three tries, however, it provided the platform for him to return to his best in 2007.
Plagued by injuries, Smith's young career has been shortened by extended periods when he was not fit to play. Throughout the 2007 and 2008 seasons, he was in and out of the Parramatta backline. In the 2009 NRL season, Smith began playing in the forward pack. The decision by Eels coach Daniel Anderson
was not surprising, given Smith's 16 stone physique.
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...
in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
.
Smith's junior club was the Werris Creek Magpies. He made his first grade debut in Round 20 of the 2004 NRL season for Parramatta against Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
at Olympic Park in Melbourne. The man from Caroona established himself in the NRL in 2005, when he had a boom rookie season alongside club namesake, Tim Smith
Tim Smith (rugby league footballer)
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...
. The monster centre of 102 kg, easily big enough to play in the forwards, damaged opposition teams out wide with his size and strength, scoring 14 tries in an outstanding rookie year. The 2006 season loomed as a learning curve season for Smith as after initially showing all the promise he had from the previous season, he sustained a serious leg injury against the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
in round 4, and was sidelined for half the NRL season. He only managed 14 games for three tries, however, it provided the platform for him to return to his best in 2007.
Plagued by injuries, Smith's young career has been shortened by extended periods when he was not fit to play. Throughout the 2007 and 2008 seasons, he was in and out of the Parramatta backline. In the 2009 NRL season, Smith began playing in the forward pack. The decision by Eels coach Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson may refer to:* Daniel Anderson , American basketball player* Daniel Anderson , member of the band Idiot Pilot* Daniel Anderson , Australian rugby league coach...
was not surprising, given Smith's 16 stone physique.