NRL-starved Smith `hungry`, says Lockyer

Brisbane captain Darren Lockyer has noticed the hunger driving Tim Smith's NRL
fightback.
While Peter Wallace has a stranglehold on the Broncos No.7 jumper, the versatile
Smith, who has impressed both Lockyer and coach Ivan Henjak with his discipline, is
pushing hard for a bench utility role for Brisbane's premiership opener against
North Queensland on March 12.
Wallace is currently battling hamstring tightness and while he is not considered in
doubt for the season opener at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos are happy a replacement
of Smith's calibre is available.
"There's no tear or anything, he's just having some tightness so we don't want to
push him," Henjak told AAP.
"He's felt some tightness and we've said `OK, let's not push it so it becomes a
drama at the beginning of the season' so we're managing it to make sure it isn't."
The 2005 Dally M rookie of the year, Smith walked away from the NRL three games into
the 2008 season citing personal health reasons and media harassment after being
involved in a string of off-field incidents.
He tried to escape the spotlight by heading to the UK and was playing some
impressive football before suffering a shoulder injury which forced him to return
home.
Starting out at Parramatta, the young No.7 had the blessing of none other than Eels
legend Peter Sterling when he started in the NRL but at 25, Smith is fighting to
establish himself again.
Smith, who can play for the Broncos after signing a contract with its Queensland
Cup feeder club Easts, has kept a low profile while training with Brisbane.
But there's every chance he could end up in Henjak's first 17-man squad.
"From what I've seen of him so far, he's really focused and very keen to do well, I
can see that," said Lockyer.
"A player of his talent with his hunger is going to be an asset."
Lockyer for one will sleep better knowing Smith is around after he was forced to
play halfback against Melbourne in last year's grand final qualifying loss to
Melbourne after Wallace broke his ankle a week earlier against the Dragons.
"Wal (Wallace) is obviously the starting halfback but I'm sure Tim along with young
Ben Hunt will get ample opportunities in the trials to stake a claim," he said.
"After what happened last year when we lost Wal, we found out how much he means to
the team when we played Melbourne.
"If there's an injury to Wal or myself I think Tim Smith is capable of doing a
really good job there."