Quote: jonh "I think he would be very poorly advised to go before 2026/7.
I don’t see him having the physicality at the moment to cope with the NRL.
His ability to control and read the game is certainly good enough now but I think a few more years would work best for him.
The physical side of his game has improved massively but it’s still a long way off NRL standards yet in my opinion.'"
He's almost 24 now and 5'10 at best, he's fine defensively and he's never going to break tackles. What more physicality are you expecting from him at this stage? If he's not ready right now (and I'd dispute that) he certainly will be in another 12 months.
He's not particularly well paid and especially not now considering the year he's just had. Lifestyle benefits are endless and he's moving to a better competition and instantly trebling his money in a career which he can only expect to have another 10 good years. Not to mention every SL club with cap space would bend over backwards to have him sign if it didn't immediately work out. He would be very poorly advised if he didn't go.
Imagine if injury-prone Thompson being on marquee money for four years prevents Smith from signing a longer improved deal. Absolute madness.