Talented young forward Tyson Smoothy feels as though he is ‘so close but so far’ to making the big time.
The tough No.9 is in the midst of a pre-season with Melbourne Storm, as one of four Sunshine Coast Falcons players to be invited to a six-week stint with the reigning NRL premiers.
It’s his second training stint with a professional team, after spending nine weeks at Penrith in the summer of 2019/2020.
Smoothy is cherishing the chance to train with some of the biggest names in the sport, under the gaze of leading coach Craig Bellamy.
But he said he still had plenty of work to do to feature in the NRL.
“That’s the dream. I’ve been chasing that since I was little kid, and it feels good to be in the system,” he said.
“I feel like I’m so close but so far. We’ll see what happens (in the future). I’ll keep trying my best.”
Chances to impress at training, possible trial
At 20 years old, Smoothy has time on his side but he’s eager to make every second count.
“I’m loving it (training with the Storm),” he said.
“It’s a great club so I’m pretty lucky to have the opportunity to train with these boys.
“I see how professional they are. Everything they do is perfect, and they have a high standard in everything they do.”
Smoothy has been training mostly at hooker during sessions.
“I’m just trying to enjoy myself while I’m here and take every opportunity I get,” he said.
Smoothy was expected to play in a trial against the New Zealand Warriors at Redcliffe on February 20, but that game’s now unlikely due to COVID-19 restrictions.
It’s not yet known if he will get another chance to play for them in the pre-season.
Smoothy said Penrith offered him a spot with their reserve grade side in the New South Wales Cup after training with the Panthers last pre-season but he declined, opting with the Falcons again in the Queensland Cup.
As it turned out, both competitions were cancelled in 2020, due to COVID-19.
So, like a lot of state league players, Smoothy hasn’t played for almost a year.
“It will be good to get out on the field and have a game,” he said.
“I don’t know (what to expect) to be honest. I’ve forgotten how to prepare for a game nearly,” he chuckled. “I’m keen.”
Plenty of promise
Smoothy is a Kawana Dolphins junior, who captained the Queensland under-18 team in 2017.
He played for the Falcons under-16s and under-18s team and he then starred in the Queensland under-20 competition for Redcliffe Dolphins (2018) and the Falcons (2019), snaring the man-of-the-match award for the latter in their grand final win.
Smoothy produced an eye-catching Queensland Cup debut in the opening round of 2019 but it proved to be his only state league game that season, largely due to the presence of Storm-contracted Harry Grant.
He played the opening round of 2020 before the season was cancelled.
“I love the club (Falcons). It’s so easy to connect with all the people there and it’s similar to the Storm, with how things work.”
