TIM SMITH has finally spoken. But he didn't say much.
The troubled Parramatta halfback, who has battled depression, alcoholism and late-night-ism, says he will let his football do the talking after being promoted to first grade for Friday's night match.
But coach Michael Hagan, while confident about his team's performance on the field, was cautious about his players' behaviour off it.
Hagan admitted the club had already discussed what action would be taken if there are any more alcohol-related "incidents". Three Eels players were shot at in an incident at Kings Cross earlier this month, and there have been repeated early-morning drinking stints.
When asked whether the off-field dramas had been put to bed, Hagan replied: "We are working through most issues with Tim and the team, and I can't say categorically that is going to happen, I am not going to make any guarantees."
At a press conference in the bowels of the Parramatta Stadium, Smith stood before the cameras, at times shaking nervously. When the questions had finished, the 23-year-old bolted for the door. Eels fans will be hoping he shows as much speed and sidestepping dazzle against Newcastle on Friday.
On the tough questions, like his rehab stint, Smith fired back a curt: "I would rather not talk about that."
He evaded other questions, such as how did the mentoring of Andrew Johns, who has battled his demons over drug use, assist him not just on the field but off it?
"Obviously, Joey is a great player, anything he says to me I have got to listen to him," Smith said.
Smith said he was recalled to the top grade after a couple of weeks with Wentworthville because he had been getting back to form from off-season shoulder surgery. The story, according to Smith, is that he wasn't doing a penalty spell with the lower grades; rather, it was to recapture his match fitness.
Of reported sightings of him late at night at a hotel - after proclaiming he would not drink - Smith said: "Obviously there have been a few dramas. I keep working through that and I am looking forward to Friday."
On the wider issue of alcohol and footballers, Smith said: "Players have got to take on a bit of responsibility - I've learned that harder than most."
Hagan admitted that he fast-tracked Smith's recall to the top side after the Eels struggled with their kicking game last weekend. He said Smith added a layer of quality to the team, particularly through his organisational skills.
"Tim's an important part of the team going forward and he's worked really hard to get to this stage," Hagan said. "He's got confidence in his shoulder and has played some good footy for Wentworthville, which is what we had been hoping to happen.
"It's a credit to Tim and also to our medical, physiotherapy and conditioning staff that he's at this stage, which if anything came a bit earlier than originally expected.
"We're confident he'll slot straight back in alongside Brett Finch and also that his presence will allow Feleti Mateo a bit more room to attack."
The Eels have also named Nathan Hindmarsh, who had been hit by a virus, in the team.
