Sandon Smith bounces back from finals self doubt

Sandon Smith admits questioning himself following a tough NRL finals starting debut but has rediscovered his confidence after helping guide the Sydney Roosters to the last four.

The qualifying-final loss to Penrith gave Smith his first proper taste of the scrutiny that comes with being a starting halfback in the NRL, as he failed to fire in the role of Sam Walker's injury replacement in the 30-10 defeat.

Smith poked a kick dead to gift the Panthers the seven-tackle set that led to a first-half try, and put a foot into touch at dummy half as the Roosters tried to find their groove in the second half.

But it was quite a different story in Saturday night's 40-16 semi-final defeat of Manly.

Smith scored a pivotal try just before the half by dummying past Daly Cherry-Evans, and played through a cork in the second half as the Roosters booked a preliminary-final date with Melbourne.

He knew a strong performance against the Sea Eagles was the only way to silence his internal doubt.

"Is there another way? I'm not sure," Smith said.

"It was a tough ride down to Penrith last week.

"I wouldn't say I didn't let it get to me - there was questioning, there was stuff going up in my head.

"But I went to guys like Kez (Luke Keary), Cooper Cronk, Teddy (James Tedesco), those older guys and leant on them, as well as my family and the people that are close to me and mean a lot to me. They helped me through it."

Rated highly within the Roosters hierarchy, the Central Coast product is expected to succeed Keary in the halves next season after two years as bench utility and back-up playmaker.

He will have new recruit Chad Townsend to lean on, and could share halves duties with the premiership winner, but knows there will be plenty more scrutiny once he's a bona fide starting half.

"It's something you're going to have to get used to with the number seven on your back," Smith said.

"You sort of sit around all week and see things, and hear things (after the Panthers game).

"You just want to make it right, so to get out there (against Manly) and do that, it's a real confidence boost."

For now, Smith is focusing on Melbourne, having played from the bench as the Storm knocked Easts out of last year's finals by way of a late Will Warbrick try.

Smith says he's come a long way since that 18-13 semi-final loss.

"That first year in the NRL, it goes really quick. You're sort of just happy to be there," he said.

"Whereas second year now, there's that added pressure. You've been there and people expect more. I've definitely come a long way, for sure."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store