Smith dumped to park footy

parragirl · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject: Smith dumped to park footy

By James Phelps | March 10, 2008 12:00am

PARRAMATTA coach Michael Hagan is poised to drop a selection bombshell tomorrow by dumping star playmaker Tim Smith to park football.

A week after dropping Jarryd Hayne in the wake of a 4am shooting at Kings Cross, Hagan last night told The Daily Telegraph that his star No. 7 will play with Wentworthville on Saturday if passed fit.

The move has come about because of a shoulder injury, but the humbling experience could also serve to remind Smith of the consequences of more bad behaviour.

While his teammates take on the Bulldogs at an ANZ Stadium blockbuster, Smith will play at an empty Brookvale Oval.

"I can assure you that Tim Smith might have a game or two there before he comes back in," Hagan said. "I am thinking that's what we will do.

"It's more for his confidence than anything else with his shoulder.

"We need to make sure he is right. He will need to get his timing back."

The former NRL rookie of the year returned to contact training for the first time last week after undergoing a complete shoulder reconstruction.

Smith spent time at a Gold Coast rehabilitation clinic this year after being suspended for a series of alcohol-related incidents.

The troubled 23-year-old was expected to be rushed straight back into the NRL team but Hagan will tomorrow name Brett Finch and Feleti Mateo in the halves.

With Premier League scrapped this year, the Eels will send players who don't make first grade to Wentworthville.

"We have a dozen quality players turning out for Wentworthville," Hagan said.

"It is basically a reserve-grade competition. We have appointed the coach (Rip Taylor) and we have about 12 contracted players there."

Hagan admitted Smith could be targeted by part-time footballers looking for a big-name scalp.

"They come under the same guidelines as the NRL as far as refereeing goes," Hagan said.

"There is some element of risk though."

Junior Paulo, Weller Hauraki and Hayne will not play at all this weekend, Hagan taking a hard line after the trio were shot at while out on a boozy night in Kings Cross.

With Hayne already missing, fans might question Hagan's gamble on Smith, but for a club that has been branded the worst-behaved in the NRL it could play dividends.

While Smith has not been dropped for disciplinary reasons, it will not only give his shoulder a chance to recover but also serve as a warning of what lies ahead should he step out of line again.

"It won't do him any harm," Eels legend Brett Kenny said.

"Things like this have to happen with the way things have gone at the club in the past."

Kenny applauded Hagan's tough stance on the trio involved in the Kings Cross incident.

"Maybe they have finally woken up," Kenny said.

"Maybe they should have done it earlier but better late then never."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,26799,23347130-5006066,00.html

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