Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith had a superb year in 2019 and everything was in place for him to take 2020 by the horns in first grade.
When Latrell Mitchell signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Smith was in line to be the starting left centre for the Roosters in 2020. Unfortunately, he sustained an ACL injury in pre-season training and played no part in the season.
The Roosters ended up signing experienced campaigner Josh Morris to fill the position when Smith went down and the former Shark had a very good year. Morris is signed on to play in 2021 meaning Smith has this pre-season to prove he deserves a spot in the starting team.
He made his NRL debut at the backend of the 2019 season against the Dragons in the left centre role, where he ran for 143 metres with 40 post-contact metres, made 18 tackles and scored his first try.
The next week he had his hair pulled in a tackle by Sam Burgess, but he didn’t let that get to him as he made 171 metres from 18 runs that day.
Earlier in the year, the Kensington Saints junior represented the NSW Blues Under-20s team where he gained plenty of knowledge and experience from being a part of the NSWRL Pathways Program.
Fingers crossed for Smith that 2021 can be a successful, injury-free season for him.
