LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Brisbane Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy has discussed his decision to leave the club at the end of the season, as he prepares to join Wakefield Trinity in the Super League.
Smoothy was part of the Broncos team that reached the 2023 NRL Grand Final, where they were narrowly defeated by the Penrith Panthers. Following the appointment of Michael Maguire as head coach, Smoothy was the first player to announce his departure, marking his final weeks with the Broncos.
As one of several dummy-halves at Red Hill, Smoothy has found himself lower in the ranks, competing with Ben Hunt, Billy Walters, and Cory Paix for playing time.
In addition, Blake Mozer and Cameron Bukowski have been identified as the club's future hookers, further complicating Smoothy's position within the team.
Clarifying that his departure was not forced, Smoothy described the three-year contract with Wakefield as a "good opportunity" for both himself and his family.
Although Brisbane was open to keeping him until the 2026 season, it would have been under a lower-tier contract, either a development or train-and-trial deal.
"It was just opportunity, really," Smoothy said, via News Corp, regarding his transition from the NRL to the Super League with Wakefield Trinity next season.