Clydesdale turned Bulldog Bud Smith picked in 2024 Queensland under-19 Emerging Origin squad

The teenager now plays for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the Sydney SG Ball competition. His Queensland selection took him by surprise.

The burgeoning rugby league career of former Western Clydesdale Bud Smith has taken another leap forward with his selection in the 2024 Queensland under-19 Emerging Origin squad.

The son of former NRL and Queensland State of Origin great Jason Smith, the teenager is following in his father’s footsteps and has moved to Sydney to play with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs under-19s in the Sydney-based SG Ball competition.

Bud Smith for Clydesdales. Colts – Western Clydesdales vs Ipswich Jets, rugby league. Saturday, April 29, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Smith said he was surprised at his selection in the Queensland team.

“It’s definitely a privilege and I wasn’t expecting it,” he told The Chronicle from Sydney.

“I didn’t even know they were announcing the squad.”

Smith moved to Sydney in November for pre-season training with the Bulldogs which he said had been an eye opener in itself.

“The pre-season training was the toughest physically and mentally I’ve ever done,” he said.

“But it’s a bit easier now that we’re in the season and it’s more high performance work.

“We played our first round match last weekend against the Roosters.”

Smith lives in one of the Bulldogs club houses which he shares with other players his age.

Bud Smith for Clydesdales. Colts – Western Clydesdales vs Ipswich Jets, rugby league. Saturday, April 29, 2023. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“I’m at SG Ball House,” he explained.

“I’m enjoying living here, there’s a really good culture.

“There are a lot of good quality footballers down here who push me to keep improving.

“It’s good that we get to live, train and play together.”

The Bulldogs have a policy that all under-19 players must either be working or studying in order to play.

“I’ve been doing disability work and I’m looking to get into teacher’s aid work,” he said.

The Bulldogs under-19s this Saturday take on the Knights under-19s.