Player Watch #16 Josh Smillie - Surgery Needed Out Until January

[Tzatziki_Man]

When he played VFL - and I watched him very very closely, he would stand on the outside of packs waiting to be distributed the ball, which was odd, as I thought he was a ball winning midfielder.

Maybe this issue was why he played conservative? Purely speculative on my part.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

When he played VFL - and I watched him very very closely, he would stand on the outside of packs waiting to be distributed the ball, which was odd, as I thought he was a ball winning midfielder.

Maybe this issue was why he played conservative? Purely speculative on my part.

From highlights I have seen of Smillie I don't think he is the most vigorous contester of ground balls. I have posted before the impression I get is of a player a bit like David Mundy.

 

[Muddiemoose]

When he played VFL - and I watched him very very closely, he would stand on the outside of packs waiting to be distributed the ball, which was odd, as I thought he was a ball winning midfielder.

Maybe this issue was why he played conservative? Purely speculative on my part.

Was never really sold as a ball winning type, his bread and butter was always his outside work
It’s just more he uses his size to power through the contest once he has the ball

 

[Jammo1111]

When I was 15 I tore my right quad. Swelled up. Treated with stretching but despite that it healed short. Big lump. Mild calcification. Injected steroid. Never healed. I could kick left footed reasonably well. Thereafter within a week of restarting footy each year it tore again. Every kick hurt and I lost power. Fortunately the left side was good. Played A grade amateurs a long time. But never at possible peak. An operation might have worked? Perhaps this is Smillie’s story also??

 

[Tonythetiger]

I had this thought that if we drafted Robey, it was almost conceding that Smilie was up against it and we didn't have a heap of confidence in his body. Then we overlooked Robey and I thought "Ah, must be encouraging that we think Smilie is going to come good" but now that Robey has a back complaint, it could be indicative of players just growing so quickly and the body not being able to keep up. Will be interesting in 5 years to see if both are able to get to the required level without further setbacks.

 

[Infamy]

I had this thought that if we drafted Robey, it was almost conceding that Smilie was up against it and we didn't have a heap of confidence in his body. Then we overlooked Robey and I thought "Ah, must be encouraging that we think Smilie is going to come good" but now that Robey has a back complaint, it could be indicative of players just growing so quickly and the body not being able to keep up. Will be interesting in 5 years to see if both are able to get to the required level without further setbacks.

Given Essendon have said they view Robey as a forward at AFL level, with only the potential to play midfield, I don't think Smillie had anything to do with us taking him or not

 

[Cactus_]

Make me smile

 

[Madtiger2006]

He’ll be back for first day of training next year.

 

[HeadandShin]

Taking it at face value from the reports from the club recently and dont think they would be putting out false information now after the 12 months the kid has missed.

Im thinking he will be 8 - 9 weeks behind the rest of the players in terms of preseason training and the club will take it slow with him initially then ramp his training up mid-late april and will give him 2-3 VFL games
Most likely after the Bye in round 14 would be the aim.
anything earlier would be a bonus

2027 rising star??!! 8/9 games next year, followed by a full preseason….

 

[DickieKnee]

2027 rising star??!! 8/9 games next year, followed by a full preseason….

My monies on Patrick Dangerfield for next year's rising star.

 

[Karp3_dm]

My monies on Patrick Dangerfield for next year's rising star.

 

[lizard man]

I know some good herbal medicines to help with Josh’s recovery …. Just hope the club replies to my emails

 

[Karp3_dm]

I know some good herbal medicines to help with Josh’s recovery …. Just hope the club replies to my emails

Send me the email

Iliveforgreen@gmail.com

 

[lizard man]

Send me the email

Iliveforgreen@gmail.com

 

[1980GFVideo]

When I was 15 I tore my right quad. Swelled up. Treated with stretching but despite that it healed short. Big lump. Mild calcification. Injected steroid. Never healed. I could kick left footed reasonably well. Thereafter within a week of restarting footy each year it tore again. Every kick hurt and I lost power. Fortunately the left side was good. Played A grade amateurs a long time. But never at possible peak. An operation might have worked? Perhaps this is Smillie’s story also??

Thats rough mate. I wonder if you had access to the medical care that AFL players have access to that it could have turned out differently.

lets hope that they can sort Smillie out if he has something similar. Too many bombs in previous drafts to not get high returns from this years bounty. A good user of the football is something we are crying out for.

 

[SMILLIE]

He’s shaved the blonde locks off

 

[Broad Housewife]

He’s shaved the blonde locks off

 

[lizard man]

He’s shaved the blonde locks off

Big mistake imo