Latest news with #SandonSmith
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roosters half makes eye-opening call on future with DCE set to take his spot
Hugo Savala says he wants to be the long-term halfback at the Roosters, despite the expected arrival of Manly and Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans next season. Roosters coach Trent Robinson admits his side are interested in DCE and while a deal is yet to be signed, most expect the Sea Eagles skipper to end up in Bondi in 2026 after announcing this is his last season at Manly. Cherry-Evans will be 37 by the time the 2026 NRL season rolls around and the Roosters would likely have to at least match Manly's $750,000 per season salary that DCE turned down to have his deal registered by the league. But the impressive recent form of Roosters halves Savala and Sandon Smith, coupled with the fact first-choice playmaker Sam Walker is set to return from injury in the coming weeks, has left many good judges questioning whether the Tri Colours actually need DCE. League Immortal Andrew Johns suggested the arrival of DCE could be detrimental to the development of Savala and Smith, and that the Roosters could lose both young guns if the veteran joins. "The question for me is that you've got Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala, with how well they're playing, you've got Sam Walker coming back - do they want to buy DCE? Johns asked on Nine's Sunday Footy Show. "You've got these young blokes... They won't stay. Hugo Savala and Sandon Smith have made their debuts, they are NRL players now. They don't want to go to NSW Cup for two years, they will be moving on. I also don't see Sam Walker and DCE being that good a partnership. "DCE only plays on the right, you never see him on the left. Sammy Walker is a right-sided player and he's instinctive and just plays and DCE is similar. You need a steady hand and to me, Walker and Savala together would really go well." Smith has already been linked with a move to NRL rivals North Queensland and Parramatta for next season, with veteran league reporter Phil 'Buzz' Rothfield reporting that the 22-year-old is set to leave after this season, due to the expected arrival of Cherry-Evans. "He was strongly favouring the Cowboys. (However) I've since learned Parramatta - now they know that Galvin's not coming - will have a decent crack for Sandon Smith," Rothfield said about Smith on NRL 360. But Smith's halves partner Savala says he wants to stay at the club and continue playing halfback, despite suggestions the lanky playmaker could be suited to a switch to the centres or back-row. At 193cm tall, the switch would make sense for Savala but the 23-year-old insists halfback is where he wants to play after providing a diplomatic response to questions about DCE's expected arrival. It comes after Savala's agent previously indicated the youngster could explore a loan deal if DCE arrives next season. "I've always been a halfback since growing up," he said. "When I was 19, I probably started growing a lot taller. I'd always been a smaller sort of player which is why I was a halfback, but now I've grown taller, I've got that same skillset. "I love the Roosters, I want to stay here, I'm a halfback. I know I'm an NRL halfback. I haven't really thought too much about it (Cherry-Evans' potential arrival), I'm just trying to play the best football I can for the Sydney Roosters. I love this club." Savala was a standout for the severely-depleted Roosters as they thrashed an almost full-strength Cronulla 42-16 on Saturday night. He scored one try and set up three more, with his pin-point kicking a particular highlight in a huge win that proved Savala was an NRL-ready halfback and star of the future. RELATED: Crichton 'out' in Origin blow as NSW investigate leaked footage Big call made on Galvin's position as Bulldogs set to lose two stars NRL world saddened over new revelation about Steve Mortimer "I felt as if I was in control of the game and in control of the boys," Savala said. "We've had six months coming up to this point, and our kicking coaches are Nick Davis and Cooper Cronk. They're the best you can learn off. "I'm just all ears with them in training, learning every week off them. I did play a little bit of AFL when I was younger, which maybe helps. I was in the Swans academy until I was 14 or 15. I was ruck rover... picking up the scraps and playing a bit of rugby league in the AFL space." with AAP
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL news: Roosters half 'shopped to rival clubs' as Daly Cherry-Evans' switch to Bondi gathers steam
The Sydney Roosters appear willing to allow the young playmaker to leave the NRL club. Sandon Smith is reportedly being shopped to rival clubs by his agent in a key sign that Daly Cherry-Evans will end up at the Sydney Roosters. Cherry-Evans is leaving Manly at the end of the season, and rumours are rife that he's bound for Bondi. The Roosters have already parted ways with Terrell May, Dom Young and Brandon Smith, and have also told veteran hooker Zach Dockar-Clay he's free to seek a deal with a rival club. And on Wednesday, leading reporter James Hooper claimed Sandon Smith's agent is also shopping him to other clubs. Sandon Smith (far left) could leave the Roosters if Daly Cherry-Evans (R) joins. Image: Getty Hooper wrote for Fox Sports: "The Chooks are cleaning house for when the Cherry-Evans deal is eventually rubber-stamped and announced." ADVERTISEMENT Sandon Smith has been somewhat of a revelation for the Roosters this year, and enjoyed the best game of his young career against the Dragons on Anzac Day. The five-eighth scored two tries and had a try assist as the Roosters walloped the Dragons 46-18. Many experts tipped the Tricolours to be running near the bottom of the ladder in the early part of the season. But the form of Smith and a number of other unsung heroes has seen them start the year with a respectable 4-5 record to be 11th heading into Round 10. Sandon Smith has been a revelation for the Roosters in 2025. (Photo by) Daly Cherry-Evans move could force Sandon Smith out But if Cherry-Evans is heading to the Roosters in 2026, it leaves little room for Smith to remain in first-grade. Halfback Sam Walker is due back from an ACL injury in just over a month, and will likely partner Smith in the halves for the rest of the season. ADVERTISEMENT But Cherry-Evans' potential arrival would force Smith out, and his best option would be a bench-utility role. Reece Robson will be the Roosters' hooker in 2026, meaning Connor Watson will likely play No.13. RELATED: Smith is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2026, and reportedly rejected a contract extension at the start of 2025 worth $400,000 per season. The club has shown a willingness to allow players to move on early if they can secure their future elsewhere. If Smith can get a starting spot at a rival club, the Roosters would likely allow him to walk - just as they have done with May and Young. However it won't go down well with Roosters fans, with many questioning why they'd allow a talented youngster to leave for only two years of Cherry-Evans. But with 23-year-old Hugo Savala on the books, he might be the succession plan. If this is true and because of roosters wanting DCE, this could be one of the worst decisions from a club in a long time. Allowing a young half who has proven himself at the top level to leave your club so you can sign a 49 year old halfback with 1-2 years left. — Kriprz (@kriprz) May 7, 2025 His manager is shopping him around. Rejected an extension offer. Happy to let him go if that is true — Easts2026 (@Easts2024) May 7, 2025 Sam Walker would welcome Daly Cherry-Evans' arrival Speaking in April, Roosters coach Trent Robinson insisted Smith had a future at the club. "It's been pretty clear, our future with Sandon, and the conversations we've had with him over the years," Robinson said of the 22-year-old. ADVERTISEMENT "He's our starting 6 and we're going to keep developing him. There's some really good signs that we like. We're just going to keep forging forward and keep backing him to develop his game." Cherry-Evans' arrival would likely mean Walker moves from halfback to five-eighth, but he doesn't see a problem with it. Walker said he would welcome DCE 'with open arms' if the 36-year-old joins. 'He's done it all in the game and we'd love to have him at the Roosters, that's for sure,' Walker told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'You'd love to have someone of his calibre. I said the same thing when there was talk of Ben Hunt potentially coming here. Being a Queenslander, and having spent time with him in Origin camp, the way he carries himself, he's a professional. Daly would be welcomed here with open arms.'
Daily Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
NRL 2025: Sandon Smith unfazed by DCE chat as he stars on Anzac Day
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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
Herald Sun
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
NRL 2025: Sandon Smith unfazed by DCE chat as he stars on Anzac Day
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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. '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 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.'
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘This is my home': Sandon Smith not worried by Daly Cherry-Evans rumours after his stunning performance on Anzac Day
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. '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 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.' An ELITE pass from Tupou and Sandon Smith delivers the first try ðŸ'¥ ðŸ'° Watch #NRLRoostersDragons on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 25, 2025 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.'
