Player Watch #16 Josh Smillie - Updated TBC

[Lord of the Wings]

Reading between the lines, this sounds like a bit of an acceptance from the club that missing half the preseason is having an impact on his footy. In a way it's kind of a relief because it explains why he went from flying on the track and a near-certainty to debut early before Christmas to struggling to impact at VFL level.

Hopefully he has a bit of a mini-preseason and comes back fit and firing.

Tauru still on track to debut before Smillie

 

[voorhees]

Reading between the lines, this sounds like a bit of an acceptance from the club that missing half the preseason is having an impact on his footy. In a way it's kind of a relief because it explains why he went from flying on the track and a near-certainty to debut early before Christmas to struggling to impact at VFL level.

Hopefully he has a bit of a mini-preseason and comes back fit and firing.

sounds about right..
kids a asset, put him on ice and let the experts strategise a plan moving forward.

 

[THE_GUN]

Tauru still on track to debut before Smillie

That would have you excited

Go have a W***

 

[Lord of the Wings]

Year 1 is a bust now. Let’s hope this is not an ongoing issue but it’s a horrible start

 

[Truetiger]

Year 1 is a bust now. Let’s hope this is not an ongoing issue but it’s a horrible start

I wouldn’t look too much into it. Grimes, as a prime example, had ongoing injuries. I’ve said from the start that there’s no rush – get his body right and go from there. See what further testing does.

 

[Oh we're from..]

Good move to take some time out and get his body right.

 

[RJK Tiger]

I think the club taking the cautious route would be the best step unless he is 100% ready and earned it. Club should do what a lot of the rebuilding NBA teams do with injured young elite prospects, let them take a year to get right and give the minutes to a lesser prospect so you can come to a quicker conclusion on them (ie Dow )

 

[THE_GUN]

2025 means nothing anyway , We have already achieved more than anyone expected
Its all about 2027 and beyond

 

[Muddiemoose]

Year 1 is a bust now. Let’s hope this is not an ongoing issue but it’s a horrible start

It is what it is
Plenty of players have tore it apart in year one and amounted to nothing while plenty have barely played in the first few seasons and turned out to be guns

What’s important now is that we get him right

 

[Infamy]

Was always a concern of mine that it may take a couple of years for him to build up his body for AFL football, Cripps went through similar growing pains. There's no rush though, he still has a long career ahead of him and I'm glad we're taking the cautious approach.

 

[prodigy]

Shattered.
They need to sort this out. Everyone saying there is no rush but you need to get him in so everyone is developing at the same rate.

Positive is, we will likely get to see him and Hotton in the VFL midfield at the same time.

 

[THE_GUN]

Get on him for the Rising Star Award 2026

 

[copthat]

Shattered.
They need to sort this out. Everyone saying there is no rush but you need to get him in so everyone is developing at the same rate.

Positive is, we will likely get to see him and Hotton in the VFL midfield at the same time.

Why does that need to happen?

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Came in here expecting melts and you’re all mostly being reasonable, poor form.

Disappointing but rather they take the time to get his body right for the future, no need to rush him when we’re not competing for anything other than embarrassing Carlton.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

Good move to take some time out and get his body right.

Needs to go to Dr Mueller in Germany and gets some calf’s blood injected into it

 

[lalorGOAT]

Was always a concern of mine that it may take a couple of years for him to build up his body for AFL football, Cripps went through similar growing pains. There's no rush though, he still has a long career ahead of him and I'm glad we're taking the cautious approach.

Good parallel. Cripps was injured for most of his first season.

 

[Daka]

It's not looking good...

 

[Crumpet_avenger]

It's not looking good...

Bruised and swollen?

 

[RichoLedio]

 

[Bojangles17]

Reading between the lines, this sounds like a bit of an acceptance from the club that missing half the preseason is having an impact on his footy. In a way it's kind of a relief because it explains why he went from flying on the track and a near-certainty to debut early before Christmas to struggling to impact at VFL level.

Hopefully he has a bit of a mini-preseason and comes back fit and firing.

He honestly looked half fit , gassed after not very long and incapable of running into space to gather some easy ball . Don’t think he ll be out for long but might mean on managed minutes as he builds

 

[Daka]

I'm always worried about young players struggling with injuries early on as soon as they get to the club everyone brings up Grimes but those are rare cases, Gibcus, Smillie it's not looking good.

 

[prodigy]

Why does that need to happen?

The sooner the chemistry builds, the better no?

 

[Groupie_]

Back on the injury list unfortunately with a hamstring

arse too big

 

[Meteoric Rise]

arse too big

And I don't wish to be picky or gossip Gru, but did you see his back fat? Goodness gracious.

 

[Groupie_]

And I don't wish to be picky or gossip Gru, but did you see his back fat? Goodness gracious.

needs to stop hanging around kfc rioli