GROUP NINE
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ALBURY are on the cusp of locking in sought-after NSW Country Bulls representative forward Andrew Smith, ending weeks of speculation linking him to Thunder.
Respected Albury stalwart Rick O'Connell yesterday confirmed Thunder are firming up discussions with the Group Two representative star, while revealing Smith will arrive in the border city today.
"He hasn't signed with us yet, but he arrives here tomorrow (today) so we should be right to get the paperwork finished," O'Connell said.
Smith, who captained Group Two powerhouse Coffs Harbour last year, was reportedly a much-wanted addition to rival Southcity's depleted ranks, but Thunder have successfully trumped the Wagga club.
Thunder captain-coach Ben Jeffery forged a friendship with Smith while playing for NSW Country, a factor which has proven key to Albury's acquisition of the creative forward.
Like the game-changing fullback, Smith is also a Group 20 prodigy, having previously played for his hometown Leeton and Yanco-Wamoon.
"Andrew is originally from Leeton, but he has been in Coffs Harbour playing up there for the last couple of years," O'Connell said.
"He is good mates with Ben (Jeffery). They played together for NSW Country Bulls.
"Ben is looking forward to playing with him again down here."
O'Connell believes Smith will add much-needed firepower to Albury's forward pack in the wake of the loss of Weissel Medal winner Lou Goodwin and star team mate Mitch Davis.
"I think Andrew can pretty much play anywhere in the forwards in any position," he said.
"Obviously that was important to us after Lou (Goodwin) left and quite a few of the other forwards moved on."
Smith will join recent recruits Alex Ronayne and Trenton King in bolstering Albury's player ranks, as well as former Kangaroos' fullback Daniel Hill and northern NSW second-rower Roy McMahon.
"Roy comes from a town north of Newcastle but he is down here for a couple of years," he said.
O'Connell declared, despite the heavy losses the defending premiers have suffered during the off-season, the club is determined to silence naysayers.
"Everything is bubbling along well and we are looking forward to the year ahead," he said.
"Ben is very excited about the opportunity to coach and he has been pleased with the good numbers at training.
"The core nucleus of last year's team remains and we have built around it."