Jeremiah
Sydney Roosters halfback Sandon Smith is set to inform a court about his decision regarding allegations that he failed to yield in his Audi, leading to serious foot injuries for a pedestrian in a recent accident.
The 21-year-old faces a charge of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm following an investigation into a three-car collision in Vaucluse, Sydney’s eastern suburbs, that occurred in March.
He did not attend the initial court hearing at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, but his lawyer, David Newham, indicated that Smith would enter a plea next month.
According to reports, Smith was driving an Audi sedan and allegedly did not give way while exiting a driveway, resulting in injuries to a male pedestrian.
Just four days after the incident, Smith played 40 minutes for the Roosters in a round-two NRL loss to the Manly Sea Eagles.
This charge marks his first offence, with potential penalties including up to nine months in prison, a $2,200 fine, and a 12-month suspension of his driver’s license. The charge does not involve allegations of speeding or intoxication.
Smith was charged in September, just before the Roosters’ qualifying-final loss to Penrith, but the NRL’s integrity unit was only notified of the incident the day before his court appearance. The Roosters were also aware of the situation but have not disclosed when they learned of the charge.
This case does not trigger the NRL’s automatic no-fault stand-down policy.
Looking ahead, Smith is expected to play a vital role for the Roosters in 2025, as he is set to take over the team’s attack following the retirement of veteran Luke Keary and the long-term injury to regular halfback Sam Walker.
With Keary retiring and Walker suffering a serious injury in August, Smith’s importance to the team has grown. He was the first player from the club’s Central Coast pathways program to make an NRL appearance for the Roosters, debuting in June 2023 and participating in 15 games that year, along with 14 more in 2024.
