11. Joel Smith (Retired player end 2007 season)

[philhawk]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like Pat Malone will be one of the posters responsible for looking after Smithy for us this season.

Take it away, Pat!

[Buddy Hero]

Did some good things today i thought.

[DannyJ]

Very underated player by Hawthorn supporters!

Did some very good things at telling times today:thumbsu:

Joel for 2008:thumbsu:

[jazz]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like Pat Malone will be one of the posters responsible for looking after Smithy for us this season.

Take it away, Pat!

Having a composed set of players around him in the backline does wonders for him.

He is looking relaxed again after a few seasons of the "Jonathon Hays".

[rumblah]

He along with Tim Clarke need to be removed from the team IMO. Smith just looks for the cheap kicks in the backline and yesterday was the first game i've seen him do ANYTHING good for us as a club. He wasnt looking for scum kicks and possessions and went forward a bit. Still i have a heavily brewed hatred toward him and the style he chooses to play.

Tim Clarke wont have a spot in our 22 with the emergence of Brad Sewell.

[OneEyedHawk]

His best is most probably behind him, but still has plenty to offer IMO.
Still a class act...

[cschreuder61]

Definately, with so many others stepping up will give Smithy freedom which will mean he'll be able to chip in when required. Think he'll still add a fair bit and consolidate the side.

[philhawk]

http://hawthornfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsId=44292

Smith champing at the bit

5:36 PM Wed 30 May, 2007 | Back

By Catherine Murphy

for hawthornfc.com.au

JOEL SMITH spends much of his spare time away from footy thinking about sport of a more equine variety.

The Hawthorn defender is the proud owner of a 1200-acre, family-run thoroughbred horse farm in the Hunter Valley and while he dreams of producing a Melbourne Cup winner, he’d take a premiership with Hawthorn over that any day.

“I’ve been working at this football game since I was 10 years old so it’s pretty much been all I’ve done and known and loved,” Smith says.

“I’ve probably spent two-thirds of my life striving towards winning a premiership. So if I had the choice, hands down I’d pick a premiership.”

However, Smith says he gains much enjoyment from what has now become a major preoccupation outside football.

“The good thing about horse racing is that it’s all about hopes and dreams. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at in the racing game, whether you buy the most expensive horse or you buy a horse worth a thousand dollars, they’ve all got a chance of winning,” Smith says.

While the main purpose of the business is to sell horses, Smith admits to holding on to a few so he can race them.

“It’s a pretty exciting industry. Once the racing bug gets into your system you can’t help but race a few horses so we’ve always got a few running,” Smith says.

And if you fancy placing a dollar or two on a Smith-owned horse, then the 30-year-old says one of his horses, called ‘Imagining’, is your best bet.

“Imagining is getting set for the Brisbane carnival at the moment. Hopefully he can win a few races up there,” Smith says.

The Hawk says that although his team mate Shane Crawford is heavily involved in the horse racing industry, he has yet to buy a horse from him.

“He wouldn’t have enough money for one of mine,” Smith jokes.

“But if he he wants to buy the next Melbourne Cup winner he should come and talk to me.”

While Smith is happy to talk tips on horse racing, he’s not as eager to give odds on whether Hawthorn will play finals footy this year, after their big win against the premiers last weekend.

“You can’t get too carried away over one win,” Smith says.

“The boys have taken it in their stride pretty well. The night after the game and the day after the boys were pretty excited but at the end of the day, it’s only round nine and there are still a lot of games to go.

“You play football to play in the finals so that’s what we’re striving to get to. I don’t think you speak about it on a weekly basis. You just go about the process and try and win as many games as possible.”

Smith, who returned from a pre-season knee injury in round eight, says there is a good buzz around the club at the moment.

“There’s definitely a different feel around the place this year. A lot of the younger boys have really improved. There is a lot of pressure for places which is a healthy thing for the club and the players,” he says.

“I think we’ve got the second youngest list so with a young list there’s always improvement. We’ve certainly improved from last year and we’re improving weekly.

“For the older guys - Shane Crawford, Ben Dixon, (Richard) Vandenberg and myself - it’s probably given us a new lease of life in a sense to know that there’s a bright future here and hopefully if all goes well, finals are only around the corner.”


Views: 1,439

Good stuff. :thumbsu:

[RustyHawk]

Smith retires
4:12 PM Tue 25 September, 2007 | Back

exclusive

for hawthornfc.com.au

News
Hawthorn veteran, Joel Smith, has called it a day on a career which has spanned 13 years, two clubs, and 221 games at the top level.

Smith informed the Club of his decision on Tuesday, having enjoyed several days to reflect on his decision with his family, before telling his teammates and the coaching staff of his decision.

“Retirement is one of the biggest decisions you can make, one that can’t be taken lightly and I thought the time was right – and it’s time to move on,” Smith told hawthronfc.com.au.

“It was a decision done in conjunction with several people. Over a 13 year footy career you have a lot of people that come along for the ride – like family – and there are a lot of people to consider. I’ve been discussing it with them for a little while.

“I’ve played 13 seasons – and I’m 30 now and we’ve got a great young list.”

The quality of player that Hawthorn has been able to develop over the past few seasons is in no small part due to the roll played by senior players like Smith and the similarly retiring Ben Dixon, who have brought maturity and stability to what has been recognised in 2007 as a robust and exciting brand of football.

However, Smith realises that it was time to hand over his mantle to aspiring youngsters, as he prepares for life after the AFL.

“Part of my decision was made up after going through the list and thinking about where that leaves me with my footy – knowing that there probably were only going to be limited opportunities for me next year.

“Finishing off this season in a final at the MCG in front of 75,000 people – even though we lost – it wasn’t a bad way to end my career – and all that went through my mind.”

Hawthorn Coach, Alastair Clarkson, reflected on Smith’s contribution to the Club, who, as a player gave the coach a valuable and versatile footballer with a mature head and the ability to play small or tall across the ground.

“Joel has been a tremendous contributor to the Club. He has been a strong role model for young men who want to battle to make it in football. He has played a significant part in getting this club back to competing in September and we wish him well with all of his future endeavours.

The versatile defender started his career with St Kilda, taken as their first round draft pick in the 1994 Nation Draft. However, following an horrific knee injury, it was the Hawks who showed faith in the running half-back, and gave him a life line that he feels he has in some part repaid with a decade of service at the top.

“Hawthorn took a punt on me 10 years ago when I had that train wreck of a knee and missed 20 months of footy. I am forever grateful for that,” said Smith.

Hawthorn Best and Fairest in 2001, vice-captain in 2005, All-Australian in 2001 and 2003 and St Kilda pre-season premiership in 1996 are amongst Smith’s personal achievements. However, it is two finals appearances with the Hawks that Smith rates as his greatest moments in AFL.

“My best memories are those that I’ve done with my team.

“My two highlights; the Port Adelaide 2001 semi-final win over there. The travel – going over on there in a cargo plane – the momentum - the amazing energy that we were playing on. And the second was the first final this season against Adelaide at the Telstra Dome. The spectators were amazing. The atmosphere was electric. Playing down the defensive end and what the young guys down he other end doing what they did to win the game – it was just an amazing thing to be part of.

“I’m a little bit nervous about what’s ahead – but that’s also exciting. There is life after footy and for me - that’s the next chapter. “


Joel Smith Fact File
Selected at No. 5 in 1994 National Draft
Selected at No.2 in 1998 Pre-season Draft

Recruited from: Yarrawonga / Murray U18 / St Kilda
AFL debut: Round 3, 1995
Hawthorn FC debut: Round 2, 1999
DOB: 03.05.1977
Height: 185cm
Weight: 87kg
Games: 221 (St Kilda 58)
Goals: 90 (St Kilda 51)

Player honours
Hawthorn: Club Champion 2001, Most Consistent 2003, 3rd Peter Crimmins Medal 2004, Hawthorn FC vice-captain 2005
St Kilda: Pre-season premiership 1996

AFL: All-Australian 2001, 2003, International Rules Series 2001, AFL Rising Star nominee 1995,

Draft history
1994 National AFL Draft 1st round selection (St Kilda) No. 5 overall traded by Sydney for Tony Lockett; 1998 Pre-Season Draft 1st round selection (Hawthorn) No. 2 overall

[RustyHawk]

Dixon and Smith face life after football
6:06 PM Tue 9 October, 2007 | Back

By Catherine Murphy,

for hawthornfc.com.au

News
WHILE the Hawthorn best and fairest was a night of joy for players and supporters after an exciting year for the club, it was tinged with sadness for the players who are hanging up their boots.
Retired captain Richie Vandenberg was absent due to his brother’s wedding, but fellow retirees Ben Dixon and Joel Smith spoke of their feelings about life after football.

Dixon, who has been suffering with an ongoing knee injury for the last four years, admitted that one of the most difficult things was telling his parents that his football days were coming to an end.

“I said to mum and dad ‘I might retire’,” he said.

“Dad, who played league level and knows what it’s like said, ‘Yes, it’s a good decision, your body’s not up to it’. Mum said, ‘Is there not some way you can just keep going?’ I said ‘No, not unless they put a wooden leg on me and it works pretty well’,” he laughed.

The 30-year-old said that he hopes to remain connected to the club, which he regards as “his second family”.

“Although I’m retiring I’m certainly not leaving, because I love the club and I still want to be involved. Whether that’s going to the footy and watching, but I want to be involved.”

Dixon also thanked former Hawks great Jason Dunstall for his support.

“Bung’s been a great sounding board for me whenever I’ve been in trouble or I’m a bit rattled and need advice. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad but I love the way he delivers it; he’s very honest.”

Hawks star Shane Crawford paid tribute to Dixon who said he was the ultimate “team man”.

“If you ask any of his teammates, he’s extremely highly respected and he’s going to be sorely missed. Hopefully we can get him involved in the club,” Crawford said.

Joel Smith, whose family is involved in the thoroughbred horse industry, admitted that retiring from the game wasn’t going to be easy.

“I suppose the hardest thing about retiring is the realisation that the dream is over,” he said.

“Life after football will be scary because it’s all I’ve ever done, but at the same time it’s exciting because at the end of the day there’s more to life than footy.”

[Hawkamania!]

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/08/09/5081_ntsport.html

NTFL club Waratahs is hopeful former Hawthorn and St Kilda utility Joel Smith will don the red and white jumper this season. Senior coach Rick Hall has spoken to the 31-year-old and hopes he can play some games in the NTFL.
"Joel is keen, but he has work commitments that may affect his availability," Hall said. "The same thing applies to Kris Barlowe, who is also keen to have a run with us at some stage this season."
Former West Coast Eagle Ben Cousins has dropped off the radar after early hopes he might play a handful of games at Gardens Oval. And Sydney ruckman Peter "Spida" Everitt is likely to play on with the Swans next season, short circuiting plans by last season's runner-up to lure him to the Top End.
Tahs train at Gardens Oval from 5.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

[hawks_time]

Lol Kris Barlowe, I actually just remembered him not long ago.