Tim Smith return gives Broncos options - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tim Smith return gives Broncos options

By Laine Clark 08/12/2009 06:47:15 PM Comments (0)

His arrival at the Broncos has prompted speculation that arguably the world's best rugby league player - Darren Lockyer - may switch positions.

But Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak insists his NRL club "haven't got any huge expectations" of comeback kid Tim Smith.

Not that Smith hasn't made every post a winner since his surprise appearance at Broncos pre-season training.

Henjak on Tuesday only had good things to say about the once troubled Eel, who is training with the Broncos under an arrangement with their feeder club - Queensland Cup side Brisbane Easts.

The classy No.7 has been a model student under Henjak, adding further fuel to speculation that Australian captain Lockyer may be tempted to switch from the halves to fullback for Brisbane in 2010.

Indeed all eyes have been on Smith since his return from an English sojourn with Wigan following his much documented dramas at Parramatta.

Yet Henjak insists Smith is feeling no pressure at all.

"I think he doesn't have any pressure on him at all, I think it's the other way," Henjak told AAP.

"He's come in pretty low key. He's just doing the pre-season with us and if he goes well then who knows what can happen.

"He's just looking at getting back into the NRL.

"We certainly haven't got any huge expectations on him.

"I think he just wants to enjoy his footy, do the best he can and give it a good crack.

"We will see where we can go from there."

But Henjak confirmed Smith had only impressed since emerging in Broncos colours at training last week.

"I can't fault him at the moment," he said.

"He's been outstanding with his training. "He's very fit, he's skilful, he doesn't look out of place there, he feels comfortable with the other players.

"If he continues I am sure he will get an opportunity at some stage."

Henjak was clearly licking his lips at the prospect of having Smith up his sleeve, especially with Origin commitments again expected to drain his club in 2010.

"You can never have enough players with NRL experience and done quite well - and he has," he said of Smith.

"He has done very well in his career so far, he has matured with his stint overseas.

"I think he is ready to come back into the NRL.

"I am expecting he is quite determined to do well."

While positional changes at the Broncos will not be discussed until his representative players return from their off-season break, Henjak still sounded quietly confident about his options for 2010.

"With the fullback position, we have lost a really good player in Karmichael Hunt but there's five or six players who can play fullback at the moment," he said.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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