NRL 2025: Sandon Smith unfazed by DCE chat as he stars on Anzac Day

Daily Telegraph

26-04-2025

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Sandon Smith has seen and heard all the rumours of playmakers being linked to the Roosters, but he's not worried about the innuendo as he showed that the future is already here with a career-best performance on Anzac Day.
The 22-year-old was simply superb in his first Anzac clash against the Dragons, with the five-eighth in complete control as he scored two tries, kicked seven goals and set up a try in the 46-18 win at Allianz Stadium.
His 22-point haul was two shy of Sam Walker's tally from last year's match, with Smith claiming man-of-the-match honours despite spending 10 minutes off the field for a high shot.
He's contracted until the end of 2026 but sees the club as 'home', with an extension on the cards even though the club has been linked with Daly Cherry-Evans.
Sandon Smith was a class above in his first Anzac Day match for the Roosters. Picture:'I try not to buy into it too much,' he replied when asked about the club being linked to rival playmakers.
'You see it all over social media and stuff these days, but I can only control what I can control, and that's playing good footy, training hard and working hard.
'I just try to control the controllables.
'I haven't thought about an (extension) but I know that this is my home.
'The people in the building – the belief they show me when things are up and down – they constantly tell me to back myself and go and play the game they know I can play.
'It's home.'
Smith ran past Clint Gutherson for the second of his two tries. Picture:Smith has had to step up and play a more dominant role after veteran Chad Townsend was dropped, with the five-eighth combining well with youngster Hugo Savala
It's been a tough couple of months to start the season with big wins over Penrith and the Broncos mixed in with disappointing losses where they seemed in control but couldn't execute on the scoreboard.
Smith described 2025 as a 'rollercoaster' but was grateful of the support he'd been shown by Trent Robinson, James Tedesco and the rest of his teammates.
'I've just got to keep believing in myself,' he said.
'Credit to Robbo and Teddy and the whole playing group because they constantly show their faith and belief in me. That helps me to dig deep and keep working hard to be a good player.'
The big stage was no concern for Smith who looked like Walker at times with his short kicks and running game wreaking havoc against an exhausted Dragons side.
'I didn't realise until this morning how big of a day Anzac Day was,' he said, with Smith opening the scoring after just two minutes before he doubled his tally when he sped past Clint Gutherson.
'We were in a hotel in the city, and when I woke up there were people marching through the streets and at one point a jet came flying past and nearly blew my head off.
'It was such an awesome day. It's such an honour to play in.'
Originally published as 'This is my home': Sandon Smith not worried by Daly Cherry-Evans rumours after his stunning performance on Anzac Day