Tyson Smoothy’s family, coaches and teachers reflect on NRL rise
Impactful coaches, teachers and family members have reflected on Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy’s journey to the NRL grand final, which has taken in Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast.
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As the Brisbane Broncos take on the Penrith Panthers in the 2023 NRL grand final many Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba residents will be cheering on one of their own who has overcome a series of hurdles and setbacks before breaking into the elite level.
Broncos hooker Tyson Smoothy honed his skills on the Sunshine Coast, representing the Kawana Dolphins, Mountain Creek State High School and the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
This masthead caught up with some of the 24-year-old’s most impactful coaches, teachers and family members as they reflect on his rugby league journey.
Family knows best
Born in Toowoomba as the middle child with four siblings, Tyson’s dad Steven said it only took him a few weeks to realise rugby league was the sport for his son.
“My dad, myself and my brothers grew up playing for the Gatton Hawks and then when we lived in Toowoomba I actually started Tyson in Aussie rules when he was eight,” he said.
“I just wanted to get him into a team sport but he just loved to tackle so he only lasted half-a-season before he took up playing rugby league.
“His first club was All Whites/Brothers where he played one or two years and then from under nines he played for the Kawana Dolphins.”
Steven said the backyard turned into Suncorp Stadium almost every day after school.
“Tyson and his brothers Jai and Hayden would always go out in the backyard, dressed up as their favourite players and run around in the mud for hours,” he said.
“On the days when it was raining or they were inside they would always be wrestling on the mat as well to see who was the best.”
Schoolboy heroics and the makings of a star
Mountain Creek State High School teacher Cameron Boaza said he had fond memories of a young schoolboy Smoothy.
“He was absolutely a determined kid and he acted like a professional from a very young age as he always knew what he wanted to do,” Boaza said.
“As a student and a player he had a great attitude, was a lovely character and was one of those students that his teachers wanted good things to happen for him because he was so nice.
“I remember one year I was coaching against him when I was at Tullawong in Caboolture and he was just outstanding.
“Everything that you see on TV at the moment as an excellent defender, crafty with the ball and just an overall competitor is how he’s always been.”
His former junior coach Mark Wright said he still remembers the moment he knew Tyson was better than the average footballer.
“I coached Tyson from under 9s to under 16s and I remember we had trials for all of the kids at Kawana to see what teams and divisions they would go into and Tyson just absolutely ironed this kid out with a textbook legs tackle,” Wright said.
“He smashed this opposition player and I turned around and said ‘who’s kid’s that?’ and his mum put her hand up so I said ‘I’ll have him thanks’.
“It was as easy as that, it took one tackle and we all thought wow, who’s this kid.”
Smoothy signed his first NRL Development contract with the Broncos when he was 12-years-old and helped his junior Kawana side to a number of junior premierships.
“He was always an unassuming kid and was never loud or a smartass on the field,” Wright said.
“He just knew how to play the game and was streets ahead of anyone else his age coming through.
“I remember he was kicking 40/20s in under 12s so his kicking game has always been great but his defence was his best attribute, even despite his size no one would ever run at him.”
The crafty hooker reached senior A-grade footy as a teenager while also playing in the junior divisions for the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
In 2015, Smoothy represented the Queensland under 16s in their win over New South Wales and in 2017, Smoothy played for the Brisbane Broncos under-20s side and captained the Queensland under 18s.
Flying with the Falcons
In 2018, Smoothy joined the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup, playing for their under-20 side and was named Man of the Match in their under-20 Grand Final win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2019.
He joined the Penrith Panthers pre-season squad in 2020 and was signed to the Melbourne Storm in 2021 where he made his NRL debut in round one.
He was released by Melbourne at the end of the season, having played four matches in 2021, returning to the Sunshine Coast Falcons under head coach Brad Henderson.
The 2022 Queensland Cup season saw Smoothy play 19 matches for the Falcons where he not only took out the Hostplus Cup hooker of the year, but also earned a development contract with the Brisbane Broncos.
He later debuted as Bronco 288 in round 15 against the Newcastle Knights and has since made 12 appearances this season.
Henderson said the opportunity to play in a grand final ‘couldn't come to a better person’.
“I’ve known Tyson since under 18s and even since then it always felt like it was inevitable for him, he just needed a club to give him an opportunity,” Henderson said.
“Obviously he got his start with the Storm but in the end it was a bit of a homecoming for him running out for the Broncos and getting those games at the next level.
“I don’t think he knows the limit to his potential and you can even see it now in the more games he plays the better he looks and the more at home he is.
“It gets thrown around a lot but you really couldn’t meet a better person as he really does deserve it because I don’t remember seeing many players work as hard as him.”
A dream come true
His father Steven said he was over the moon and excited for the coming days.
“He’s definitely had to work hard for it but it’s a dream come true,” Mr Smoothy said.
“He’s had a lot of setbacks in his football journey but his determination has kept him going and it’s a credit to him to have been able to reach the heights he has as he deserves everything he gets.
“He’s a very cool customer Tyson, I don’t know how he does it because my wife and I are both extremely nervous every time he plays and especially for Sunday.”
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