Alastair Clarkson - The Age 12.11.05

[Procrastinator35]

Yes, but when he is tagged he gets completely shut out of a game, unlike the other A graders you listed.

Until Smith learns how to handle a tag he will not be A grade in my mind.

The point being....The fact he has become the first player tagged in our team amongst a plethora of super-stars....Confirms he is A grade!

Your criticism is akin to saying Sam Mitchell is not elite because he has not dominated a Grand Final until 2014.....The reason being, that he was assigned a hard tag because of his elite A grade status!

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

I don't think Smith is A grade yet, B for mine. Hannerbury as a wingman is A grade. Causes more damage more often.

Surely if you've never ever made the AA squad list, it's hard for you to be considered A grade?

 

[Brishawk]

I don't think Smith is A grade yet, B for mine. Hannerbury as a wingman is A grade. Causes more damage more often.

Surely if you've never ever made the AA squad list, it's hard for you to be considered A grade?

For what it is worth I think Smith is the best wingman in the league and I expect an AA to come in the next 24 months so long as the team continues to win a large number of games. Such a damaging player both with the ball and just through the space his running creates.

 

[Rioli2Gunstall]

I don't think Smith is A grade yet, B for mine. Hannerbury as a wingman is A grade. Causes more damage more often.

Surely if you've never ever made the AA squad list, it's hard for you to be considered A grade?

AA is not really relevant considering the small number between Mitchell and Birchall. Its a bit of a medias favourite thing and thats it, Birch should have 3 min, and Mitch a few more than he does.

 

[tommyk72]

I would have smith further ahead than hill to be honest. A few more runs on the board. I think they are both excellent players, but solid B+ rather than A.

A couple more years of consistent performance and another 5-10% output and they're clearly a grade.

 

[Dewnior]

The point being....The fact he has become the first player tagged in our team amongst a plethora of super-stars....Confirms he is A grade!

Your criticism is akin to saying Sam Mitchell is not elite because he has not dominated a Grand Final until 2014.....The reason being, that he was assigned a hard tag because of his elite A grade status!

Following your line of thinking, if Smith is tagged out of every game because the opposition knows he is dangerous and can't handle tag, and as a result has minimal impact on a game, do you still consider him A grade?

Sam Mitchell learned how to deal with a tag a long time ago and nowadays most teams don't bother because it has little effect. Performance in a GF does not dictate A grade status. If so, prior to this year Roughie would not have been considered A grade.

I'm not doubting Smith's ability, but until he learns how to impact a game when being tagged I'll reserve my judgement on A grade status.

 

[MC_9]

Dunno, but no doubt it helps....Our current A graders I'd argue would be: Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Burgoyne, Roughead, Birchall, Gibson, Breust, Gunston, Smith, Hill, Rioli, That's the lazy dozen right there....I challenge anyone to argue the point with me on this!

B plus: McEvoy, Hale, Puopolo, Stratton, Frawley, Lake, Shiels..... B: Suckling, Whitex, Ceglar, Anderson.

I will.

Lake and Frawley are both A-Grade defenders. No question.

 

[nickrebellious]

According to the stats Puopolo is the best defensive forward in the league.

 

[Procrastinator35]

Following your line of thinking, if Smith is tagged out of every game because the opposition knows he is dangerous and can't handle tag, and as a result has minimal impact on a game, do you still consider him A grade?

Sam Mitchell learned how to deal with a tag a long time ago and nowadays most teams don't bother because it has little effect. Performance in a GF does not dictate A grade status. If so, prior to this year Roughie would not have been considered A grade.

I'm not doubting Smith's ability, but until he learns how to impact a game when being tagged I'll reserve my judgement on A grade status.

If Smith is not A grade, then there are no A grade wingman in the AFL!

 

[Hawkas1988]

For what it is worth I think Smith is the best wingman in the league and I expect an AA to come in the next 24 months so long as the team continues to win a large number of games. Such a damaging player both with the ball and just through the space his running creates.

Unfortunately this won't happen. The wings are filled for the best on ballers who don't make the initial 3 midfield spots. We have the best 2 wingmen in the comp however they won't be recognized as AA anytime soon due to the structure of the All Australian team.

So I think it's unfair for the poster to label Smith not an A grader because he hasn't been in the AA squad before. His chances are ridiculously slim due to the position he plays.

 

[Rioli2Gunstall]

If Smith is not A grade, then there are no A grade wingman in the AFL!

Absolutely!! He and Hill are the best i think, and as a combination are devastating. Smith vs Dangleberys in last year QF was an example of how he can do over an opponent. When he is tagged he can still outrun them, i think he is dealing with it well so far.

 

[Randy Campbell]

If you do the grade on the role they play. Then I would count the 22 premiership players as A grade.

 

[Dewnior]

If Smith is not A grade, then there are no A grade wingman in the AFL!

You may well be right.

Here's a list of wingmen most people would say are A grade. If you had to rank Smith against this list, where would he sit?

Dipper
Peter Matera
Michael Long
Robert Flower
Chris Mainwaring
Simon Goodwin
Wayne Schwass
Nigel Lappin
Doug Hawkins
Nicky Winmar

 

[Rushed_Behind]

Following your line of thinking, if Smith is tagged out of every game because the opposition knows he is dangerous and can't handle tag, and as a result has minimal impact on a game, do you still consider him A grade?

Sam Mitchell learned how to deal with a tag a long time ago and nowadays most teams don't bother because it has little effect. Performance in a GF does not dictate A grade status. If so, prior to this year Roughie would not have been considered A grade.

I'm not doubting Smith's ability, but until he learns how to impact a game when being tagged I'll reserve my judgement on A grade status.

In fairness to Smith, he is shut out of games early when a hard tag is being assigned. By half way through the 3rd he has run his opponent ragged and ends up with 15-20 touches and a goal.(approx.)

17 disposals was his lowest this year. Rd 2 vs EFC, Rd 16 vs North and the GF. No goals in each of those games.

 

[Cyril the Squirrel]

I don't think Smith is A grade yet, B for mine. Hannerbury as a wingman is A grade. Causes more damage more often.

Surely if you've never ever made the AA squad list, it's hard for you to be considered A grade?

Without looking, I doubt there are 12 AA players from each of the 30 past premiership sides Clarko highlighted to make his point.

I think A grade (as he intended) means rated among the best in the comp for their position.. Of which we have at least 12.

 

[Procrastinator35]

You may well be right.

Here's a list of wingmen most people would say are A grade. If you had to rank Smith against this list, where would he sit?

Dipper
Peter Matera
Michael Long
Robert Flower
Chris Mainwaring
Simon Goodwin
Wayne Schwass
Nigel Lappin
Doug Hawkins
Nicky Winmar

Interesting though subtle change of context/emphasis there.

Of course, the remark concerned Smith's standing in relation to & comparison with current players plying their trade in the AFL.....Your artifice here bespeaks of a sleight-of-hand in order to defend your initial premise/criticism of Smith's current status across the league!

Smith is A grade/Elite....So just accept it & eat your humble pie in quietude!

 

[Agent Smith]

I have no comment to make other than to say I'm sure I'm, I mean he's, doing the best he can. It ain't easy tryin to run around with ur opponent piggybacking all ova ya when you're just trying to get the footy. If only that Dermie fella was still around to help 'break the tag'...

 

[Davo23]

Interesting though subtle change of context/emphasis there.

Of course, the remark concerned Smith's standing in relation to & comparison with current players plying their trade in the AFL.....Your artifice here bespeaks of a sleight-of-hand in order to defend your initial premise/criticism of Smith's current status across the league!

Smith is A grade/Elite....So just accept it & eat your humble pie in quietude!

Is there a category for A Grade Jet?

In that case I nominate two players:

1. Isaac Smith
2. Brad Hill

 

[Hawkas1988]

Interesting though subtle change of context/emphasis there.

Of course, the remark concerned Smith's standing in relation to & comparison with current players plying their trade in the AFL.....Your artifice here bespeaks of a sleight-of-hand in order to defend your initial premise/criticism of Smith's current status across the league!

Smith is A grade/Elite....So just accept it & eat your humble pie in quietude!

The way you belittle and speak down to other posters on here at times is pretty poor to be honest.

The poster has their opinion on Smith, I for one think he is A grade in his position like you do. I just find sometimes you disrespect posters due to their opinion on matters which differ from you and I'll admit, it irks me.

 

[Procrastinator35]

The way you belittle and speak down to other posters on here at times is pretty poor to be honest.

The poster has their opinion on Smith, I for one think he is A grade in his position like you do. I just find sometimes you disrespect posters due to their opinion on matters which differ from you and I'll admit, it irks me.

O.K, Point taken....My sarcasm though I felt was warranted due to reasons given.....Felt it was clear that the context of the discussion was couched in terms of current players only....So yeah, probably reactive from that perspective!

My apologies Dewnior if I've offended your sensibilities.....I try to argue on points however & try not to get personal, so if I've crossed the line here then my bad!

 

[Dewnior]

O.K, Point taken....My sarcasm though I felt was warranted due to reasons given.....Felt it was clear that the context of the discussion was couched in terms of current players only....So yeah, probably reactive from that perspective!

My apologies Dewnior if I've offended your sensibilities.....I try to argue on points however & try not to get personal, so if I've crossed the line here then my bad!

No problem here P35, but thanks Hawkas just the same.

I think we will just have to agree to disagree.

Fwiw, I never questioned Smith's standing as a wingman in today's game. There just aren't that many good wingmen playing today, which may explain why they don't make AA squads and why they don't stack up against the really good ones I listed in my previous post.

And, a B+ is still a damn good grade.

 

[Thaihawk]

Smith has become our number 1 player tagged by opposition clubs!....His speed & endurance combo are both unmatched & elite across the league, not to mention his goal kicking ability with his raking left-foot....This focus upon him by opposition clubs not only confirms his elite status, but has allowed the free reign of Brad Hill to go unchecked as a consequence!

A lot of elite runners, like Smith and Hill, don't get recognized for a lot of their unrewarded running (eg. Chance Bateman in the 2008 Grand Final) that puts extra pressure on the opposition's defense, and often goes a long way to our forwards getting that little bit of extra space that can result in a goal. This is why these two now draw the best taggers.

 

[Procrastinator35]

A lot of elite runners, like Smith and Hill, don't get recognized for a lot of their unrewarded running (eg. Chance Bateman in the 2008 Grand Final) that puts extra pressure on the opposition's defense, and often goes a long way to our forwards getting that little bit of extra space that can result in a goal. This is why these two now draw the best taggers.

I don't think that it's going too far out on a limb Thaihawk, to say that without Hill & Smith, then we would have zero Premierships in the Trophy Cabinet from these past 2 seasons!....That is how important they are to us & why they are both Elite A graders in the modern game!

 

[B&GBlood]

Following your line of thinking, if Smith is tagged out of every game because the opposition knows he is dangerous and can't handle tag, and as a result has minimal impact on a game, do you still consider him A grade?

Sam Mitchell learned how to deal with a tag a long time ago and nowadays most teams don't bother because it has little effect. Performance in a GF does not dictate A grade status. If so, prior to this year Roughie would not have been considered A grade.

I'm not doubting Smith's ability, but until he learns how to impact a game when being tagged I'll reserve my judgement on A grade status.

Tell me how Smith went last year with Hannaberry hanging of his arse? That's right he ran him into the ground. Yes, Smith's output has been reduced when carrying a heavy tag, he doesn't however drop out of the game altogether. He still creates space and exhausts the two opponents they tag-team to slow him up.

Are Abblett, Boak and Selwood elite? Of course they are, were their respective outputs deminished when Langford kept them company, yes.

 

[Thaihawk]

I don't think that it's going too far out on a limb Thaihawk, to say that without Hill & Smith, then we would have zero Premierships in the Trophy Cabinet from these past 2 seasons!....That is how important they are to us & why they are both Elite A graders in the modern game!

Because this type of player is so prominent in the modern game, (thanks Clarko) could be a supporting factor in why we drafted Billy last yoer.