LONDON BRONCOS coach Jason Demetriou reckons Perth Bears have made a great signing in Luke Smith.
Along with his teammate Emarly Bitungane, the former North Queensland Cowboys forward, ex-Canterbury Bulldogs second rower Smith is joining the 2027 NRL newcomers.
He will play alongside such as Wakefield’s Tyson Smoothy and Leeds trio Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oldedzki and James McDonnell under legendary Australian coach Mal Meninga.
Demetriou believes the 23-year-old from the small country town of Denman in New South Wales who came through the Canterbury pathways system and made two appearances in the NRL for Canterbury, has further developed during his season in west London.
Smith has been a regular and helped the Broncos win the 1895 Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final treble, scoring 26 tries in 30 appearances.
“For a second rower, Luke is lightning quick. He’s easily one of the three fastest players in our squad,” said Demetriou.
“He backs himself every time, and when he gets in space, you back him every day of the week.
“I got a tip-off that Luke was signing with the Bears and might be open to coming here this year. I didn’t know much about him, so looked at him on film and thought it would be good if we could get him.
“He’s been great, off the pitch as well as on, because he has been at the forefront of creating the squad culture and connection which has underpinned everything we’ve done.”
Demetriou will lead Papua New Guinea in the forthcoming World Cup with a squad featuring a string of London players including freshly-crowned Championship Player of the Year Gairo Voro.
