Snake said:
I think he is the best hooker to ever play the game; future immortal (of which none of the others are hookers).
He single handedly transformed the position into what it is today. He is the ultimate competitor, has an unshakable temperament, and is tough to boot. I have noticed he is a notch off his former self the last year and a half, but after all the football he has played over the years (featuring in all the representative teams, playing in all the finals series, five grand finals) he is entitled to go off the boil a little.
I'm not as lavish in praise of a player front and centre in a deep and comprehensively corrupt club, clearly gaining great advantage (and grand final appearances) for at least 3 full seasons that were proven.
The single biggest proven case of systematic cheating in the game's history should always accompany his ''contribution'' to the game.
And I also contend that the quality of players around him have just as much to do with his successes as any natural ability.
I see him as a very conventional dummy-half, far from an innovator or reinventor of the role. No doubt about his toughness and intelligence but for more than just mistake-free and calm, clever direction around the field, I would look at guys like Luke, Farrah, even begrudgingly, Jake Friend for more than that.
He can kick goals and provide a kicking game from dummy half, but so can guys like Farrah and they offer more variety in attack than Smith now.
And historically even hookers like Benny Elias and Steve and Kerrod Walters, paved the way of the modern hooker/dummy half; at least the equal of Smith for mine.
(I'll avoid mentioning Manly hookers for obvious reasons, but we've had several outstanding rakes, too).
As you notice Snake, Smith hasn't been anything more than workmanlike in the last two years (when was the last time he was MOM?).
No denying his efforts over the years - qualified by those seriously corrupt circumstances I mentioned - and the one other thing I agree with is, he'll probably be an Immortal.
Being a QLDer, and because Joey Johns became an Immortal in recent times, you can bet Smith will be canonized sooner rather than later.