How Joey helped luckless Roosters star survive ‘absolute carnage’
Of all the players featuring in this weekend’s NRL grand final, few have had to overcome more than Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith.
After making his debut towards the end of 2019, Smith has gone to hell and back on the injury front, limiting him to just 62 matches.
Billy Smith limps off the field in 2021. NRL Images
Smith was tipped to fill the void left by Latrell Mitchell in 2020, but suffered the second ACL rupture of his career, after previously suffering the same injury to his other knee during the 2018 NSW Cup grand final.
It was a bitter blow for the local eastern suburbs product, but nothing he couldn’t come back from. But jump to 2021 and Smith was out again, this time with a shoulder injury.
Once he got back on the field that year, it only took three matches before Smith was sidelined with a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury.
Smith rebounded and got back to the NRL in 2022, only to suffer a third ACL rupture, ending his season with just seven more appearances.
The rangy Scots College alumni made it back onto the field in 2023 and played in the side’s elimination final that year, but fractured his jaw in the match.
That wasn’t expected to be a long-term issue and all signs pointed towards Smith becoming a regular fixture for the Tricolours in the 2024 season.
Instead, the luckless Smith spent that whole year on the sidelines due to ankle and hip injuries, placing serious doubt over his NRL future.
At that point, few could have blamed Smith for throwing in the towel, nor would anyone have batted an eyelid if the Roosters and Trent Robinson gave up on him.
Fast-forward and Smith has finally found consistency, playing 18 games last year and 17 this season, brushing off an E-bike crash and locking down the left centre role, making it to the first grand final of his career against the Knights this weekend.
It’s an incredible story of perseverance, even if Smith admits there were times it felt like competing for the NRL’s biggest prize wasn’t on the cards.
“I’d be lying to you if I said there weren’t so many times of doubt,” a reflective yet jovial Smith told nine.com.au earlier this week.
“It was like four or five years of just absolute carnage for me, where I was on the operating table multiple times each year – but you know what, I’ve always dared to dream and that’s what I’ve had to keep doing over the years.
“I’ve worked my backside off just get myself on the field. For me to be here grand final week is pretty surreal, to be honest ... I’m pinching myself a little bit.
“The challenge for me has always just been playing consistent footy and that’s been something I’ve obviously struggled with. Once I’m on the field consistently, I’m pretty confident in my ability and I know Robbo is confident in what I can do.
Billy Smith celebrates after the preliminary final. NRL Images
“I’m grateful for Robbo for having my back and sticking by me and this is what it’s all about – repaying the faith and helping us win a comp.”
Smith has proven to be an asset on both sides of the ball, crossing for 12 tries and making 17 linebreaks, while operating at over 88 per cent tackle efficiency.
But his journey back from the darkest periods imaginable to an NRL decider took more than just his internal beliefs and dreams.
Smith said it “takes a village” to support an NRL player and heaped praise on those closest to him, especially during the times things looked bleak.
“I’m lucky that I’ve got such a rock solid family and group of mates around me as well, they’ve stuck by me through thick and thin,” the 26-year-old said.
“It’s special to be in a situation like this, because although it’s special for me, it’s special for all them as well. They’ve ridden the wave with me from the start and been there at the lowest of times, but now the highest times on Sunday.”
While family and friends are obvious pillars of support for all athletes, Smith had a surprising figure in his corner throughout his rollercoaster journey.
Andrew Johns, arguably the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of boots and kick a Steeden, has been a mentor for Smith over the years.
Andrew Johns. Getty
While the eighth Immortal will no doubt be cheering his beloved Knights to victory on Sunday night, there would be a soft spot for Smith at the same time.
“He’s a good man Joey – we live around the corner from each other and I always see him down at the beach,” the Roosters star said.
“He’s lived a very rugby league life, probably a bit more extreme than me, but he’s lived a similar life and knows all the ins and outs. He understands the game and the injuries that come with it, and he understands the off-field stuff too.
“It’s been great having Joey in my corner as a non-biased person to lean on at times when things were quite touch. He knows my story, he knows what I’ve been through and he’s been a great mentor for me during my journey.”
Smith is one of 14 players in the Roosters’ team this weekend without grand final experience and said he would lean on James Tedesco, Victor Radley, Nat Butcher, Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton throughout the emotionally-charged week.
Victor Radley celebrates the 2019 premiership. Getty
“Experience at this time of year is very important and we’re so lucky that we have a fair few individuals who’ve been around at this time of year,” he said.
“I’m a little bit older now, but I’m new to all of this and I’ll definitely be leaning on those guys. It’s 80 minutes of footy at the end of the day, but you’ve got to enjoy it as well, because we don’t get this feeling very often.
“This week’s about doing what I usually do to prepare for a game, but at the same time soaking it all in, because it’s really special.”
