Sydney Roosters rookie Billy Smith had a standout year in 2019 and if Latrell Mitchell leaves the club, he will definitely be targeting the vacant centre position for next year.
The 20-year-old overcame an ACL injury at the beginning of the season and made an impact in the Canterbury Cup North Sydney Bears side after scoring ten tries, three try assists and 38 tackle breaks in his seven appearances.
In Round 23, he made his debut against the Dragons and put in a full 80-minute performance - running 143 metres with 40 post-contact metres, making 17 tackles and scoring his maiden try, while topping it off with a 34-12 victory.
Round 25 Smith got more than he bargained for when Sam Burgess pulled his hair in a tackle and copped a week ban but it didn’t deter the youngster as he scored a try and made 171 metres from 18 runs at winger.
Smith has been part of the Rooster’s extended NRL squad for the past two seasons and has already begun forming a combination with star fullback James Tedesco.
You only need to look at his debut try, which came off the back an inside ball Luke Keary threw to Tedesco. He passed it onto Smith to score who was backing up in support and charged to the try line from the 20-metres out.
He didn’t get the chance to be part of the Rooster’s finals campaign but he will look to cement a spot in the starting squad in 2020 and is contracted until the end of 2021.
