Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith in line to replace Latrell Mitchell

The Sydney Roosters are already prepared for life without Latrell Mitchell, and it will leave them with the salary cap space to go after off-contract stars like David Fifita.

Roosters' Billy Smith celebrates try with James Tedesco during NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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MEET the rising teenage prodigy ready to step in and replace Latrell Mitchell at the Sydney Roosters.

Exciting centre Billy Smith has been part of the Roosters’ extended NRL squad for the past two seasons, already striking up an impressive combination with superstar fullback James Tedesco.

The Roosters are likely to be on the lookout for a new centre after The Daily Telegraph revealed they had withdrawn an $800,000 offer to the Kangaroos centre for season 2021 and beyond following a meeting with coach Trent Robinson at the club’s Moore Park headquarters on Tuesday.

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Billy Smith and James Tedesco have already struck up a partnership. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s understood the Roosters were prepared to offer Mitchell an immediate release if he signed with another club before the start of next season.

Rather than delve into the free agency market, the Roosters have an emerging replacement coming through the ranks in Smith — at a bargain basement price.

Given the retirement of $1 million-a-season halfback Cooper Cronk, Mitchell’s departure would leave them in a strong salary cap position to target the game’s premier 2021 free agents, headlined by Brisbane forward David Fifita.

The Roosters are believed to be keen to lure Fifita, 19, to Bondi, while rivals South Sydney would use the salary cap space created by the retirement of Sam Burgess to tempt him to Redfern.

Brisbane forward David Fifita will be on most team’s wish lists for 2021. Picture: AAP

At 191cm and 99kg, Smith is a similar size to Mitchell (193cm and 102kg) and could slot into that Roosters’ left edge including Luke Keary, captain Boyd Cordner and winger Daniel Tupou.

Smith, 19, made his NRL debut in the Roosters’ 34-12 win over St George Illawarra in round 23 in August, finishing off a scintillating try after Tedesco put him into the clear with a slick pass.

“It’s what dreams are made of. I’ve been thinking of that moment since I was a little boy,” he said of his debut, which came after he overcame a serious knee injury.

“It’s been a pretty long 11 months for me with the ACL injury.

James Tedesco with Lachlan Lam and Billy Smith at Roosters training.

“Robbo’s got so much confidence in me and I really feel that. The boys have a lot of faith in my ability. It’s easy for me, I just play off the back of those boys.”

Tedesco is definitely a fan of Smith. In August he revealed to The Daily Telegraph he had enlisted Smith and Lachlan Lam to help improve his catch and pass skills.

“Billy Smith and Lachie Lam are my guys, so I just grab those boys and we’ll work together because Latrell Mitchell is always working on his goal kicking.

Latrell Mitchell could be wearing a new jumper in 2020. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

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“Billy Smith is a centre and he’ll work on his quick hands and he’ll do some long passes with me. Lachie will do his catch and pass too. It’s a little crew we have and we always work together after most sessions.”

That assistance from the Roosters youngsters helped Tedesco reach the peak of his powers in 2019, where he won NSW’s Brad Fittler, the State of Origin Mal Meninga Medal, the RLPA’s Players Champion, Medallist, Dally M Fullback of the Year and Dally M Medallist.

The Roosters are mindful of the fact their Australian and NSW captain Cordner and champion fullback Tedesco need to be their highest paid players.

Smith was a standout for the Wyong Roos in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership in 2018 before suffering that ACL injury, which delayed his 2019 campaign.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith in line to replace Latrell Mitchell