This is Dave Smith, this is his leadership DAVE Smith says he can take criticism, which is a good thing given the events of the past few days. Smith has seemingly been walking around with a target on his back. He's been lambasted over his failure to publicly react to the dismal performance of this year's City-Country game. He has been confronted by suggestions he is losing the confidence of club chief executives. He has been vilified over the lack of access he gives to the media. Yesterday, he hit back. Smith acknowledged the City-Country game had been a disappointment, but he rightly pointed out many of the major decisions around the game were made before he started as NRL chief executive in February. He also reminded people he had only been in the job for 12 weeks and called on those sitting in judgment to give him at least 12 months to put his stamp on the position. "As I said, actions speak louder than words," Smith said. I am finding my way in this role a little bit as well. It's not being inactive. I am doing a lot. The fact is I am building into the future, this the first opportunity to set out what that future might look like. It's a very exciting time. The game has so much potential -- everybody says that. Realising that potential is the skill you need a senior figure like me to harness. That's not an easy thing to do. It's certainly not going to get done in three months. People should be looking at my tenure in 12 or 18 months. That's when people should be looking. Maybe they'll see I am the guy in the background who does a lot. Yesterday was a promising start. Smith's appointment of Canterbury chief executive Todd Greenberg and former New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Jim Doyle -- two of the most respected administrators in the sport -- adds gravitas to the NRL. Smith was quick to point out both appointments were his. Greenberg has been appointed head of football. Doyle's appointment as chief operating officer will be greeted warmly in clubland, particularly as his new role will include overseeing the salary cap and auditor Ian Schubert, whose relationship with clubs has been strained over the years. "I would be surprised if anybody could demonstrate a lack of confidence in 12 weeks," Smith said. I would be very surprised if that was the case. I think Todd (Greenberg) made a good point -- he has not heard it, I have not heard it. If anybody wants to have something to say, why don't they say it to my face or put their name to it. Every one of the (chief executives) I spoke to this morning are right behind this stuff. They think change is long overdue. I knew I would get strong support and I have. That's terrific. I feel really pleased with that. But I feel really pleased that I put my stamp on it. This is me, this is Dave Smith, this is his leadership structure. I think it will take the game to a completely different place. Every single appointment is my appointment -- full stop. These are completely my appointments and the board is entirely behind me. Smith also pointed out he had visited 11 clubs over the past 12 weeks and received unanimous support for yesterday's announcement. The latest changes have taken place against the backdrop of the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation. "I can take criticism," Smith said. I have no dramas with the criticism. I think it's part and parcel of the job. This is three months in. I have laid out the organisation for the future, I have been dealing with ASADA, I have been doing the strategic plan and we have been doing the stadium strategy.