Player Watch #49 Kaleb Smith

[sregit]

Don't know about him seen him play. He doesn't have anything going for him, just another plodder on the list.

I’d like to see Kaleb have 5 or 6 games at half back. He’ll need to have a decent spell, deliver on the park. If not bye.

 

[wegetpumped]

I’d like to see Kaleb have 5 or 6 games at half back. He’ll need to have a decent spell, deliver on the park. If not bye.

Hard to disagree when my mate loves your comment. But he hasn't done it at the VFL level, how will he do it at AFL, and more importantly, who will you drop for him?

 

[sregit]

Hard to disagree when my mate loves your comment. But he hasn't done it at the VFL level, how will he do it at AFL, and more importantly, who will you drop for him?

If I had my choice I’d play him before Ralph-smith. Also if the club has kept him on the list we may as well find out if there is any chance he can make the grade. A reserves start, earn a spot in the senior side or you’re gone. Show consistent form in the senior side or your gone, that’s the ultimatum he should get.

 

[Coach_Required]

Hard to disagree when my mate loves your comment. But he hasn't done it at the VFL level, how will he do it at AFL, and more importantly, who will you drop for him?

Did you even watch his last month in the VFL?

 

[wegetpumped]

Did you even watch his last month in the VFL?

Yeah his just a plodder but you know best

 

[Coach_Required]

Yeah his just a plodder but you know best

Obviously you didn't, he was one of our better players in the finals, he still has a very long way to go and may not even make it but lay off the cracks at a 12 gamer FFS.
Maybe you can go outside and mow your lawns, do something constructive.

 

[TJTIGER]

It's interesting to me that Kaleb played as a mid at East Freemantle. Does anyone know if he's been tried there at VFL level?

 

[Grrr]

It's interesting to me that Kaleb played as a mid at East Freemantle. Does anyone know if he's been tried there at VFL level?

Played a quarter there 2024 season and was really good, his tackling in particular as he closed them down really quickly. Of course, never seen there again.

Would like to see him play wing this year in the VFL. There is a place above if good enough and at half back he floats around too much. On the wing there are no cheap possessions so might make him earn his possessions more and be more aggressive.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Got potential to be a baker type
Next year will be telling obviously

Has the goods

 

[tropicaltiger]

It's interesting to me that Kaleb played as a mid at East Freemantle. Does anyone know if he's been tried there at VFL level?

needs to play in the guts at vfl level and see if he can be tested and earmarkd to play multiple mid roles....like accumulator 40 touches, an attacking mid 30 touches and 2g and a defensive one on one mid 22p and beats/restricts a good opponent.

 

[Yze does it]

smithy was the poor campaigner who debuted at GBH stadium...
played 5 minutes,
thank christ the sub has gone.

Smith our only small defender depth.

liam baker

3

Liam Baker

Age

27

Ht

173cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.7

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

7.9

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.7

3star

D

14.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

7.9

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.8

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

14.4

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

CL

1.2

4star

he ain't.

played half back in the VFL better 2025.

that Hawks VFL game he got a bit of it.

injury replacement depth for Short & Banks

 

[TJTIGER]

smithy was the poor campaigner who debuted at GBH stadium...
played 5 minutes,
thank christ the sub has gone.

Smith our only small defender depth.

liam baker he ain't.

played half back in the VFL better 2025.

that Hawks VFL game he got a bit of it.

injury replacement depth for Short & Banks

I'd suggest maybe ultimately Shorty's replacement... but just guessing.

 

[Tiger1974]

Don't know about him seen him play. He doesn't have anything going for him, just another plodder on the list.

U seen him play and U allege he is a plodder. I call BS that U have seen him play. He has pace and run and carry as his strength. Hasn't shown it at AFL level (more intent on defending) but shown plenty in VFL.

 

[Hoos]

Played a quarter there 2024 season and was really good, his tackling in particular as he closed them down really quickly. Of course, never seen there again.

Yeah, sounds like he's probably not slow enough to play midfield.

 

[wegetpumped]

Obviously you didn't, he was one of our better players in the finals, he still has a very long way to go and may not even make it but lay off the cracks at a 12 gamer FFS.
Maybe you can go outside and mow your lawns, do something constructive.

F that i have a draft to get through and I'm doing something constructive as I'm replying to hate mail here.

 

[lizard man]

Was a big fan of his when we first recruited him, things haven’t worked out for him yet but I get the feeling he’s going to have a breakout year. I think we’ll see him running off the half back at afl level quite a few times this year

 

[Oldmanuncle]

Was a big fan of his when we first recruited him, things haven’t worked out for him yet but I get the feeling he’s going to have a breakout year. I think we’ll see him running off the half back at afl level quite a few times this year

I felt the same early days but he's very hesitant with ball in hand which doesn't fill me with hope that he's a long term player for us.
Hope he can turn it around but he's up against it with the addition of Grlj who takes the game on & can step straight into that position.

 

[Delorean]

Doesn't want the footy. Kept a close eye on him during the game against the Bulldogs (had a SGM on with him to get 15+) and I watched him run away from the contest a few times. Opportunities to lead into space and he just stood there out of harms way. Was dropped the following week I think.

Needs to get his knees dirty if he wants to make it.

 

[Grrr]

Doesn't want the footy. Kept a close eye on him during the game against the Bulldogs (had a SGM on with him to get 15+) and I watched him run away from the contest a few times. Opportunities to lead into space and he just stood there out of harms way. Was dropped the following week I think.

Needs to get his knees dirty if he wants to make it.

He has to up his run and receive ala Dan Rioli. He goes to empty spaces and waits for the sideways chip, ala Short (a bit).
I watched him play midfield one quarter a season or two ago and he was great. Hit hard, tackled and ran and received.

I would challenge him in the midfield in the VFL and see if it improves his game, but then I would do that with most players rather than use our VFL crew to do it always.

 

[THE_GUN]

He has to up his run and receive ala Dan Rioli. He goes to empty spaces and waits for the sideways chip, ala Short (a bit).
I watched him play midfield one quarter a season or two ago and he was great. Hit hard, tackled and ran and received.

I would challenge him in the midfield in the VFL and see if it improves his game, but then I would do that with most players rather than use our VFL crew to do it always.

He plays that role beautifully in the VFL

The kid just has not had the AFL exposure to date and not really had a clear shot with a combination of injuries and sub when played. Hope he gets some clear air and really makes the most of it this year and has really developed physically now

 

[Grrr]

He plays that role beautifully in the VFL

The kid just has not had the AFL exposure to date and not really had a clear shot with a combination of injuries and sub when played. Hope he gets some clear air and really makes the most of it this year and has really developed physically now

He does play it well, but needs to be more aggressive and run to more dangerous places ala Rioli and Houli. Seems to take the easy one two a bit to often. Maybe with some more muscle he will go harder.

 

[Madtiger2006]

He’s only played about 5 games. What we expecting lol? He’ll be a top player

 

[crackertiger]

Needs to stop the Cheap, time wasting sideways chips to an easy target to rack up possessions. Go forward man.. The goal posts are the other way.

 

[sregit]

Needs to stop the Cheap, time wasting sideways chips to an easy target to rack up possessions. Go forward man.. The goal posts are the other way.

He has to take the game on. He has far more athletic traits than many on our list but fails to use them. His career will be over at the end of 2026 if there is not clear improvement.

 

[Hoos]

Seems to take the easy one two a bit to often.

Has Short taken him under his wing or something?