Newly signed Gold Coast utility Will Smith has revealed why he signed for the club over staying with the Parramatta Eels.
Smith, 29, spent five years with the Eels, playing 54 games including 17 in 2021 but decided to move away from the club this off-season.
While he was happy to recommit to the club, Smith said a late pitched by the Titans that got him excited about playing with their building squad ultimately sealed his move north.
Speaking on SEN 1170 The Run Home, Smith explained that it was only an eleventh hour play that convinced him to switch clubs.
“I tell you what it had come a bit late,” Smith said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.
“The season had finished and I’d gone back to Newcastle in the off-season.
“I was in discussions to stay at Parra, I loved Parra, the coaching staff and all of the boys.
“But then the Titans came to the table, I spoke to my family and I thought it was time for a fresh start.
“I’d been with Parra for five seasons and I was ready to just challenge myself again.
“Seeing how good of a club and how strong Parramatta were while the Titans were in a building phase.
“I was excited to get amongst that.”
Smith will have an interesting opening game of the 2022 season, with his new club the Titans taking on his former club the Eels.
As Smith is known as an enforcer, SEN host Bryan Fletcher asked him whether there was one ex-teammate in particular that he’d like to get one-up on.
“If Reagan Campbell-Gillard has his arms up and his ribs open, I’m going for it,” Smith jokingly replied.
Smith will suit up for the Indigenous All Stars when they face the Maori All Stars in the showcase clash on Saturday at CommBank Stadium.