Phil Smith

[POBT]

Smith banking on rookie draft
By Lance Jenkinson


Tulla's own: If Phil Smith makes it to the AFL, he can thank the junior coaches and people involved at his junior club at Tullamarine. Picture: Lucy Aulich


PHIL Smith endured a hellish season with the Calder Cannons due to injuries.


Osteitis pubis, a strained calf, a broken hand and torn cartilage in the knee limited him to six games in the TAC Cup and resulted in him missing out on the Cannons' premiership team.


The 18-year-old has since undertaken a course at the Caterpillar Institute in Tullamarine and part-time work with his dad delivering meat.


Last week, his football year showed improvement when the Hawthorn Football Club contacted him to start training at 7.30am on Monday at the club's home base at Waverley Park.


Smith, who has grown up across the road from Tullamarine Reserve, was stunned and delighted.


"I was just rapt with the opportunity they gave me," he said.


"I want to get as much out of it as I can. You get blown away by the stars down there.


"It's pretty exciting."


The aim is for Smith to earn a position on the Hawks' rookie list. Next Tuesday's rookie draft is a second chance for the players who missed out on selection at the national draft.


Smith, a member of the Cannons' 2006 grand final loss to the Oakleigh Chargers, spent most of his Cannons career in the defensive 50-metre zone.


He described himself as a hard-running defender.


The Tullamarine junior, who also played one under-18 game at Oak Park, spoke to the Hawks at state screening this year.


Smith's season went on a downward spiral as injuries took their toll and his pre-season aim to make the Vic Metro team for the under-18 national carnival did not come to fruition.


"It was pretty frustrating," he said.


"I try not to dwell on what I can't control.


"I stayed as positive as I could."


Smith is one of thousands of players who were neglected at the November 24 draft, but who are hoping their ID number will be read out at the rookie draft.


The draft starts at 10.30am.

[POBT]

Phil Smith
DOB 15.04.89
Ht: 187
Wt: 73

[foj1]

Deserves luck. If his knee stays healthy could carve himself a good AFL career. I wish him all the luck in the world.

[POBT]

He was on Hawthorn's permission to train list this year....along with about 20 others.

[Grimreepah]

Lions bio (http://www.lions.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=5085&newsId=53704)

NAB AFL Rookie Draft round-one selection
Name: Phil Smith
Recruited from: CALDER CANNONS
DOB: 15/04/1989
Position: Medium defender
Height: 187.3cmWeight: 73.2kg
Bio: Medium defender who has had an injury interrupted 2007 season. Has the ability to play tall and has good leg speed.

Pick 7 in the 2007 Rookie Draft (http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=54164)

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2639/smithel4.jpg

Smith is the 2nd player we have taken from the Calder Cannons, with James Polkinghorne also being taken at pick 41 in the national draft.

Other players drafted from the Calder Cannons this year are:
Addam Maric pick 21 ND
Darcy Daniher pick 39 ND (F/S)
Mitchell Farmer pick 49 ND
Dean Putt pick 51 ND
Aaron Kite pick 71 ND
Ashley Arrowsmith pick 28 RD
Jeremy Laidler pick 32 RD

Draft Camp Invitees (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8914233&highlight=Phil+Smith#post8914233)

Draft Camp Results (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9527902&postcount=1)


Height Weight 5m 20m Agility Shuttle VJ Repeat Sprints

Phil Smith
Pre Season 186.7 73.0
Screening 187.4 73.2 1.09 3.05 60



Smith and Laidler join their prides (http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/53001)

CALDER Cannons duo Phil Smith and Jeremy Laidler were rewarded for persistence when they were picked up by the Brisbane Lions and Geelong respectively last week in the AFL Rookie Draft.

Both players were thrown lifelines after initially being overlooked in the last month’s National Draft, and will begin training immediately at their respective AFL clubs.

Smith is a 187cm running tall from Tullamarine, and was somewhat of a surprise selection.

He was not invited to the AFL Draft Camp this year, but did attend a state screening where the Lions obviously liked what they saw.

Weaver's Midyear Leading Draft Prospects (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347430)

25. Phil Smith (HBF)

Smith is your classical Kris Massie style 'modern' 3rd defender. He plays tight, he has a nice leap and spoil which lets him play taller than listed. He also has a winger pedigree so once the ball has spilled to the deck he can get involved in clearing the 50 and turning defence into attack. Overshadowed a tad by teammates in a deep Calder outfit. Needs a good finals campaign and needs to be evern more prominent rebounding. More midfield work won't hurt either.

From calder. Phil Smith struggles. Where did him in the top 25 come from im interested? Will not be drafted ahead of Farmer/Polkinghorne/Maric and probably arrowsmith although i dont like him as a player. Not very physical and just pressure will catch him out.

I'm with Weaver in thinking that Phil Smith is a much better prospect than Ward. They were both in contention for the Metro half back line and Ward got the nod but it must have been close. Smith often sacrifices his own game to ensure his opponent doesn't get a sniff, unlike plenty of other TAC players who go kick chasing. But he's excellent with the ball in his hands he just need to get it more often, has good height and pace as well.

Smith is a year older than Ward and in his second TAC Cup season. This year, he is touching the ball about 10 times per game, and has taken 11 marks in total. Ward is averaging 20 touches per game, actually took 15 marks in one game alone. Ward has gone forward and kicked goals on a couple of occasions. Close for Vic Metro selection? Maybe, but preference is supposed to go to the top age player - so Smith should have had the advantage here.

You could also say that Ward is playing with two other players deemed worthy of representing his state, and Smith with about 10 - so it is pretty clear who has the more talented supporting cast. Basically, I would say Ward is in front of where he should be at this point in time as a first year TAC Cup player...I did say earlier this year that the critics would come for him though, and I guess this is the start of it.

All that said, Smith has missed a couple of weeks as well, so he might be carrying an injury of sorts as well.

On Phil Smith I reckon Weaver is on the money. I wonder how much TAC cup footy some people here actually watch. He was superb in last years final series. Actually playing on Kruezer in the preliminary and using his leap and speed to keep him quiet while Kruezer was forward. He was also good in the GF on the larger MCG

Couch Coach Phantom Draft (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9388693&highlight=Phil+Smith#post9388693)


"Draft Pick No 58 StKilda
Best Available IMO: Ashley Arrowsmith
Best Club Fit: Mid size defender Phil Smith
Possible Options: Billy Burstin or Dean Turlich
Outside Chances: Toby Thoolan
Hope to Slide: Joel Smouha
Selection: Phil Smith (HBF) - 15 April 1989, 187cm 73kg. Tullamarine
Reasons For: Plays tall and small and can push forward
Reasons Against: Injury has had him on the sideline
TAC Stats: 6 Games, 0 goals, 0 behinds, goal accuracy 0%, average possessions 11.3, kicking efficiency 74%, handball efficiency 77%, tackles per match 4.3 and 12 marks with 8% contested.

[campbell]

Deserves luck. If his knee stays healthy could carve himself a good AFL career. I wish him all the luck in the world.

plus OP.
He and us need luck.

he is only little.

[Warwick]

plus OP.
He and us need luck.

he is only little.
25% of the kids this year may suffer OP due to the hard grounds around Australia.

It's the rookie draft - if you get 50 games out of these kids you are doing well.

Good luck to him. :thumbsu:

[POBT]

he is only little.

He's about the same size as James Hawkesley.

[TheBrownDog]

He's about the same size as James Hawkesley.

And Hawksley has bulked up nicely already too.

187cm for a midfielder is a very good frame to be working with. :thumbsu:

[Sherminator.]

Looks good, nice size and mongrel. :)

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.lions.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=5085&newsId=53704)

18 year-old Smith is a 188cm quick and athletic wingman/half-back who endured an injury interrupted season with the Calder Cannons in 2007. A variety of injuries limited him to six matches in the TAC Cup and forced him to miss out on being part of the Cannons’ 2007 premiership winning side.
Smith already has some family living in Brisbane and is good friends with former Cannons team-mate James Polkinghorne, who was selected by the Lions in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft last month.

[Warwick]

Good to hear he has some family living in Brisbane. And if he helps Polkinghorne to settle - all the better.

He does sound like Jason Gillespie though:
Osteitis pubis, a strained calf, a broken hand and torn cartilage in the knee limited him to six games in the TAC Cup and resulted in him missing out on the Cannons' premiership team.

[notting18]

He does sound like Jason Gillespie though:

I'm expecting a slow accumulation of 200+ (games) and him to be dropped after being blamed for an unexpected loss then;)

[POBT]

I'm expecting a slow accumulation of 200+ (games) and him to be dropped after being blamed for an unexpected loss then;)
Will probably kick ten goals in his last senior game.

[Sherminator.]

I was told by the ruck coach of the Jets that he is a very skilled midfielder. Fixes his body worries, he could be a good player. :)

[Fairley]

I was told by the ruck coach of the Jets that he is a very skilled midfielder. Fixes his body worries, he could be a good player. :)

Damn we've been reading everywhere that he is a "medium defender".

[TheBrownDog]

Damn we've been reading everywhere that he is a "medium defender".

Is there a difference really?

[Fairley]

Is there a difference really?

haha i guess not, i hope he turns into a midfielder, we've got quite a few medium defenders.

[Grimreepah]

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9218/smithao7.jpg

Phil Smith training at Cooparoo 12/12/2007

[POBT]

Any word on a nickname? Have to be "Filthy" wouldn't it?

[Warwick]

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9218/smithao7.jpg

Phil Smith training at Cooparoo 12/12/2007
I like the cut of his jib.

I sense "cult hero" status with that hair.

Needs work on his name though. He sounds like an accountant.

[LIONOFZION]

How about Fabulous Phil (although I suspect that may be a bit too seventies?); Phil the Dill; PS; or (Phil)The Bong??

[danielcanberra]

Needs work on his name though. He sounds like an accountant.

Vote for Pedro

[POBT]

Anyone remember Lucky Phil from "Hey Hey It's Saturday"?

[Grimreepah]

Anyone remember Lucky Phil from "Hey Hey It's Saturday"?

I remember the voice (ie. Blackman's voice)

[xplo]

'Lucky Phil' was from one of the TAC ads of the time. But the floor manager or some similarly headphoned producer was a Phil, so Murray Tregonning(?) -- the sound effects guy -- would always play the 'This,... is Lucky Phil..." audio piece from the ad when they turned the camera on him.

[foj1]

His nickname is Filthy. Beat Matthew Kruezer in a prelim final in 06. Was very close to being drafted last year. Forget about OP if his knee is ok he could be a ripper.

[Grimreepah]

Beat Matthew Kruezer in a prelim final in 06.

What, playing in the ruck?

[TheBrownDog]

He and Polkinghorne arrived together at training today laughing like best mates.

Polkers has finally started smiling, so must be feeling less homesick now.

[Ruse]

His nickname is Filthy. Beat Matthew Kruezer in a prelim final in 06. Was very close to being drafted last year. Forget about OP if his knee is ok he could be a ripper.
White man can jump.

[POBT]

His nickname is Filthy.

Happy with that. Good footy nickname as it is very easy to remember. Also sounds good when you yell it out.

Thinking about putting 4 wheels and a couple of axles together and makin' me a bandwagon.


http://www.fallacyfiles.org/Bandwagon.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/tabid/5085/News/NewsArticle/Default.aspx?newsId=54516)

New Lion hoping for change of fortune
1:42 PM Fri 4 January, 2008
By Simon White
for lions.com.au

IT'S fair to say that a lot has happened in recent times for new Brisbane Lions rookie Phil Smith.
In the past month he has left the Tullamarine home he grew up in, boarded a plane for only the second time in his life, moved to Brisbane, started lodging with Jonathan Brown and begun an AFL career under the tutelage of Lions coach Leigh Matthews.
"I’d spent 18 years living in the same house in Melbourne so it’s all been a bit of a surprise," Smith told lions.com.au.
"I nominated for both [the NAB AFL and Rookie) drafts but I wasn’t too confident of being picked up because of all the injuries I’d had last year.
"I spoke to the Lions earlier in the year but not close to draft time so it was great to end up here – something I’d been hoping for."
Smith marks a rare venture outside Queensland for the Lions in the rookie draft, with the 187cm Calder product becoming the club’s first Victorian rookie since Travis Baird in 2004.
The 18-year-old defender had been training with Hawthorn in the lead-up to the rookie draft and will be hoping for better luck at the Gabba than he experienced during an injury-plagued 2007 TAC Cup campaign.
"I had a really frustrating year," Smith explained.
"First of all, in the pre-season, I had osteitis pubis and then once I’d got that right I came back and strained my calf.
"I recovered from the calf and came back and broke my hand and then, once that was right, I injured a knee.
"I’m not too sure how my injury history will affect my pre-season but I think I will be monitored a fair bit."
Smith admitted to some initial trepidation at lining up alongside the likes of Brown and Simon Black, while being coached by four-time premiership mentor Matthews.
But moving to Brisbane and sharing digs with Brown have eased those early nerves.
"The short time I’ve been living with Browny has already been a big learning experience for me – just watching the way he goes about things," Smith said.
"He’s looked after me really well."

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5971/smithyz5.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Date: 1/10/2006

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3774/smithrz9.jpg

Oakleigh Chargers' big man Todd Goldstein marks in front of Calder Cannons' Phil Smith.

[Lace Out]

He looks very sinewy in the mould of Darryl White and Dustin Fletcher.
I dont think he's going to pile on the kilos.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.leadernews.com.au/article/2007/12/17/27168_mrv_sports.html)

Outgoing Cannons regional manager Chris Gleeson struggled to contain his jubilation when speaking to the Leader last week.
``It's terrific having the 10 players taken,'' Gleeson said.
``Phil Smith is a really fantastic one for us. He was injured a lot for us last season and we would have had him as a (overage) 19-year-old no problem.
``But Brisbane has come along and snapped him up. He's very athletic with a good pair of hands.

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6710/smithuu4.jpg

Friendly rivalry (http://hume.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/afl/cannon-shows-his-true-calibre/1144068.html): Great mates Jeremy Laidler and Phil Smith will turn rivals from next season.

[Warwick]

How's Filthy Smith going in the ressies?

The club must have seen something in him considering he was picked ahead of the prospective Qld rookies.

[TheBrownDog]

How's Filthy Smith going in the ressies?

The club must have seen something in him considering he was picked ahead of the prospective Qld rookies.

Bit of an energiser bunny but his decision making is pretty ordinary at the moment.

[acuguy]

From what i have seen on Aflqtube i like the look of Smith, he looks strong in the body, has what looks to be a bit of explosive pace. I think they will retain him and i think we will see him in our seniors sometime next year. I like the kid:D