Retired # 5: Devon Smith - Hanging up the boots - Thanks for everything Devon! - 12/8

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2023
Last Game Played: Round 11, 2022 (inj)
Injury Status: Mid-season knee surgery no time frame yet - 15/6

My Boy Draft 2022: Claim here

 

[yodellinhank]

He's a shiny new thing.

We need more shiny new things. I respect your point about somebody gets the numbers, but i feel Smith is a better and more youthful player than a fair few on our list. Surely that's the type of player you improve a list with?

 

[pepsi]

Is pressure acts the stat that converts a total inability to impact the contest into a meaningful contribution?

Pressure acts are vital. Look at last year's premiers. Pressure on the opposition was an important aspect of their success.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

I like the Dev.

 

[eth-dog]

Not a fan of pressure acts as a stat but he was good.

 

[Lore]

Works hard, reasonably quick, footy smart from what I saw tonight. Looking forward to watching the replay but I think he's a new favourite.

 

[ScrappyCoCo]

Already a leader..he was having crack at the boys when things were going bad in the 3rd about the lack of talk..raising standards...love it.

 

[Bombermania]

Already a leader..he was having crack at the boys when things were going bad in the 3rd about the lack of talk..raising standards...love it.

I noticed at 3QT that he was about the only one trying to pump his team mates up.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Already a leader..he was having crack at the boys when things were going bad in the 3rd about the lack of talk..raising standards...love it.

Will be in the leadership group soon

 

[Wangawuti]

Love the way he plays. Has an intensity around the ball and the man which can really lift the team.

 

[Ambrosia]

Is pressure acts the stat that converts a total inability to impact the contest into a meaningful contribution?


Edit: it was like round 1 brought the heat and little Dev had no answer. We'll see how this plays out.

Think your preconceived ideas are clouding your judgement here . Smith wasnt dominant but to get 23 touches and the most clearances of any Essendon player suggests he was far from poor .

 

[nonamehack]

Of a player that was played predominately in the forward line last year I think he's picked up quicker than my expectations. You cannot expect a person with prior injury concerns to be our best midfielder round 1.

People with expectations of him being Jobe in his first actual full time midfielder game for ages are delusional.

To me better half dozen players on the night gets a tick from me first up.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Is pressure acts the stat that converts a total inability to impact the contest into a meaningful contribution?


Edit: it was like round 1 brought the heat and little Dev had no answer. We'll see how this plays out.

holy s**t, guy doesn't absolutely star but is actually really quite good, in a brilliant win, and you're sitting there potting him, whilst no doubt rubbing one out to your Lavarde poster whilst crying and wailing that it just isn't fair

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I keep hearing how he's going to improve the midfield.

team high clearance winner?

8 contested possessions out of 23?

6 score involvements?

5 tackles?

You are kidding yourself

 

[nonamehack]

To me it seems like a your balls deep, now know you may have made the wrong call, but think stuff it I'm in too far already I may as well continue moment

 

[JayJ20]

I keep hearing how he's going to improve the midfield.

He brings so much to our midfield. Not only the attacking aspect of it, but the defensive aspect as well. Big reason why we can get those repeat entries inside 50s that would have other wise ended up in Adelaide's forwardline.

Defensive pressure in the midfield was one of our big problems last year. The pressure he brings is very valuable.

 

[Alfred E Neuman]

"Devon Smith was the best of the talented trio that joined Essendon during the trade period, playing as a mid-forward.

With his fitness back he has quickly slotted into the role that requires him to be clean in tight and his pressure was good."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...-to-come-from-behind-win-20180323-p4z607.html

 

[vast]

He was very good as pointed out his defensive effors stopped the crows just waltzing out of the midfield which was our biggest problem last year.

Can also spread and while not a damaging kick he used it well as I dont recall him having poor deisposal effeciency in the past.

 

[VelvetSledge]

Bloody impressed.

 

[BrunoV]

We need more shiny new things. I respect your point about somebody gets the numbers, but i feel Smith is a better and more youthful player than a fair few on our list. Surely that's the type of player you improve a list with?

Then why does Dodoro say that we're recruiting him to add to our midfield?

I don't like getting stuck with superfluous players because we trade them in for the sake of it.

What happens when Myers comes back and gets 30 contested possessions a week in the VFL? Do we drop Langford, the other inside mid we need? We'll make a decision that upsets the balance of the side.


As for his inside work being better than Zaharakis, that's a bold claim (which I know you didn't make).

 

[Alfred E Neuman]

"Saad kept Eddie Betts goalless, Stringer took a huge early intercept grab and had 10 of his 16 touches in the first half and Devon Smith (23) impressed with his defensive pressure."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-23/match-report-dons-steal-a-stunner-off-crows

Wasn't defensive pressure one of the areas in which we were severely lagging?

 

[eth-dog]

"Saad kept Eddie Betts goalless, Stringer took a huge early intercept grab and had 10 of his 16 touches in the first half and Devon Smith (23) impressed with his defensive pressure."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-23/match-report-dons-steal-a-stunner-off-crows

Wasn't defensive pressure one of the areas in which we were severely lagging?

Yep. Our defensive work at the stoppage was deplorable last year.

 

[Mercurial89]

Yep. Our defensive work at the stoppage was deplorable last year.

But its not the player i want to be doing it so nope get rid of him. Wasted trade.

 

[Alfred E Neuman]

Is pressure acts the stat that converts a total inability to impact the contest into a meaningful contribution?


Edit: it was like round 1 brought the heat and little Dev had no answer. We'll see how this plays out.

I don't understand what you're getting at here. Can you say what exactly he did or didn't do to make you come to this conclusion?

 

[yodellinhank]

Then why does Dodoro say that we're recruiting him to add to our midfield?

I don't like getting stuck with superfluous players because we trade them in for the sake of it.

What happens when Myers comes back and gets 30 contested possessions a week in the VFL? Do we drop Langford, the other inside mid we need? We'll make a decision that upsets the balance of the side.


As for his inside work being better than Zaharakis, that's a bold claim (which I know you didn't make).

I'm happy for Smith to keep taking Colyers spot. If you look at it that way is it any better?

 

[blitzer]

I love the addition of Smith. In fact our midfield really looks quite quick on the whole now. Only Heppell is slow. We don't have a Dangerfield explosive pace mid but we've got a lot of guys that are faster than average and can work both ways.

Smith is a good kick, gets plenty of the ball, helps out on the inside stuff and can play on the better mids of the opposition when required. This is stuff that we may not always want to throw onto McGrath and Parish just yet. I reckon over the course of the year he'll be our 3rd or 4th best midfielder. Pretty good for a second rounder in a weak draft.

Colyer is now probably only a depth option for forward or midfield. He'll still get games I'm sure during the year when fit because someone is always injured and he's a good runner but he's not first choice.