A tough and talented young Sunshine Coast rugby league player is eager to fulfil his dream of playing for the Brisbane Broncos, after joining the elite club in the off-season.
Tyson Smoothy – a Kawana Dolphins and Mountain Creek State High product – linked with the National Rugby League juggernauts after impressing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland competition last year.
The 22-year-old signed a one-year contract, as a development player, and he’s determined to make the most of it.
“Hopefully, I can get to play a few games and enjoy it and earn another contract,” he said.
Smoothy has been linked to the Broncos in the past. He was in their development programs as a junior and donned the club’s colours in the now-defunct NRL Under-20s competition in 2017.
Now, he has the chance to play on the big stage for them.
“As a young kid who watched the Broncos play, it was always a dream to run on to the field at Suncorp Stadium, so hopefully I get to do that,” he said.
Smoothy was always destined for the NRL, after captaining the under-18 Queensland team.
He joined the Falcons in 2018 and was signed by the club’s NRL affiliate, the Melbourne Storm in 2021.
He made his big-time debut in the Storm’s season-opener against South Sydney and played four games that season, before being released.
A strong 2022 campaign for the Falcons followed and he was named in the Queensland Cup’s team of the year, earning a call-up to the Broncos.
“I started training with them in November,” he said.
“We’ve been training well, so hopefully we can have a good year.”
Smoothy has gained valuable time playing in pre-season games, including a 50-minute stint in the team’s first trial and a 40-minute stint in their second trial.
“I feel pretty good,” he said.
“I played under-20s for the Broncos, so it is good to be back.
“There are a lot of the same players and coaches. I know probably half of the boys, so it easier to get along with everyone.”
When he isn’t required by the Broncos on NRL game days, he will play for their feeder club Wynnum in the state competition.
He will probably have to play against the Sunshine Coast.
“I think that will be a bit weird,” he said.
“It’s going to be funny because I have never played against the Falcons before.”
Smoothy said his stint at the Storm held him in good stead to forge an NRL career.
“Being in Melbourne has given me a bit more confidence and I definitely feel like I’ve grown on and off the field since then,” he said.
He also said he was coming off the back of an invaluable season with the Falcons.
“It was a really good year and it brought out the best in everyone in the team,” he said.
“We had an enjoyable year and a bit of success.
“The Falcons have helped me to get where I am.
“I’m playing with more confidence and I had a pretty solid year, but there is still plenty I am working on.”
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