How highly do you rate Billie Smedts?

[geelong_crazy26]

for those of you who have seen him play, how highly do you rate him?

also where is he at this year with injuries?

 

[Just do something]

Today on GFC webpage it had Smedts was back into a running program and on track to be up and about for next pre season. the only highlights i saw were on You tube some action from a Geelong Grammar game and also action from Vic Country last year.

I'm sure i read or heard somewhere that Danny Frawley rates him as one of the best juniors he has seen. Don't know if Danny's word is much these days but lets hope we have a beauty

 

[CatTricks]

seen 1 TAC cup game. A Goddard type utility..

I heard he is only just back running..

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

The Cats were shocked that Smedts was not taken earlier in the draft and when we got the pick through the Gary Ablett trade, they quickly snapped him up at pick number 15. Gold Coast Suns were gonna take him. In his 1st two games playing out in the vic country for Geelong grammar they played him forward and he booted 11 goals in the 2 games before seeing what he was like in the backline.
He's the only player at the draft to crack 8 seconds on the agility run. Was top 10 in the 20metre sprints and also inside the top 10 for the standing vertical jump test along with his kicking efficiency tests.
His oldman played for St Kilda and the Bulldogs and at about 6ft 3 is going to be a very versatile player. Excellent hands and kicking could be a natural forward or another Enright

Some say he's the best of the lot....not bad considering Guthrie, Menzel, Christensen, Vardy etc are already looking future 200 gamers.

 

[AM]

I think we used one of the Ablett priority picks to grab him so Wellsy clearly rates him.

The mention of Menzel reminded me that his brother Troy played for Central Districts seniors at the weekend as a 16y.o. Youngest player to achieve that at Central. Hmm!

 

[Turbocat]

I think we used one of the Ablett priority picks to grab him so Wellsy clearly rates him.

The mention of Menzel reminded me that his brother Troy played for Central Districts seniors at the weekend as a 16y.o. Youngest player to achieve that at Central. Hmm!

So much in those 3 letters. By the way isn't there another Christensen coming thru. Hmm!! Im not saying we should go out of the way to get brothers but one could say you could do a lot worse. Scott Selwood looks handy to my eyes. Hmm.
You just can't deny genetics. Smedts, Christensen , Selwood brothers there just has to be something in it.

 

[catempire]

At this stage, I rate Smedts no higher than I rate David Ugrinic.

Too glib?

Yes, he sounds like a very handy type.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

So much in those 3 letters. By the way isn't there another Christensen coming thru. Hmm!! Im not saying we should go out of the way to get brothers but one could say you could do a lot worse. Scott Selwood looks handy to my eyes. Hmm.
You just can't deny genetics. Smedts, Christensen , Selwood brothers there just has to be something in it.

odds a pretty good for another Ablett to be running around in the year 2091

 

[meto]

seen 1 TAC cup game. A Goddard type utility..

I heard he is only just back running..

I wouldn't complain if so (Goddard type), we passed over Jack Darling for him, so yeah, hope we didn't waste it!

 

[Cats Eye]

Out of interest, anyone know what his latest recorded height and weight is?

 

[CatTricks]

I wouldn't complain if so (Goddard type), we passed over Jack Darling for him, so yeah, hope we didn't waste it!

I think Jack Darling stated recently that he wasnt going anywhere except WC or Freo. Glad we got Smedts instead if this is the case.

 

[David the Cat]

Difficult to rate any player when he hasnt pulled on the guernsey yet. Schoolboy football is hardly a yard stick.

But saying that, Simon Beasley rated him the best schoolboy footballer he had seen ( NOT Frawley ) so the kid has talent and good skills. It will be the mental side of the game that will make or break him I suspect.

 

[Lager]

I think Jack Darling stated recently that he wasnt going anywhere except WC or Freo. Glad we got Smedts instead if this is the case.

So what do you mean? If he was picked by another club, he would refuse to go?

 

[CatTricks]

So what do you mean? If he was picked by another club, he would refuse to go?

Apparently so.. or you would not see him doing aswell as he is at WC.
Probably just media bs, but I read it somewhere. I'll try and find the article at some stage.

 

[hamG]

Darling slipped because he was seen as a risk due to drinking problems and getting punched by people. Plus he's a little short for a legit key forward role and is already physically matured so not much upside.

Smedts looks like a Heppell or a more athletic Milburn type.

 

[Lager]

Darling slipped because he was seen as a risk due to drinking problems and getting punched by people. Plus he's a little short for a legit key forward role and is already physically matured so not much upside.

Smedts looks like a Heppell or a more athletic Milburn type.

If upside were based purely on physique then yes. Hard to say though.
I agree with your Heppell comparison, and I hope so.

I think that Smedts is likely to tick more boxes than Darling in the long run as he can fill a number of roles - especially in the back half were there will obviously be a number of retirements in the near future.

 

[meto]

If upside were based purely on physique then yes. Hard to say though.
I agree with your Heppell comparison, and I hope so.

I think that Smedts is likely to tick more boxes than Darling in the long run as he can fill a number of roles - especially in the back half were there will obviously be a number of retirements in the near future.

I think we picked one who was to physically imature in Brown, may never have the body, was suggested trading the Ablett pick for one like Sam Day back off the Suns.
Wouldn't hold my breath about it, went 3 in the draft, though they might have to many talls if anything ATM.
On Billie, was said by someone of note to be the best schoolboy footballer he'd ever seen, carn't remember who it was, he was 189cm on draft stats, probably already over the 190.

 

[Turbocat]

I think we picked one who was to physically imature in Brown, may never have the body, was suggested trading the Ablett pick for one like Sam Day back off the Suns.
Wouldn't hold my breath about it, went 3 in the draft, though they might have to many talls if anything ATM.
On Billie, was said by someone of note to be the best schoolboy footballer he'd ever seen, carn't remember who it was, he was 189cm on draft stats, probably already over the 190.

Simon Beasley said it , whether he was the only one I'm not sure.

 

[meto]

Beasley,........thanks Turbo,......gee! that's a big call, he must have something to recieve that kind of praise.
Pity though not playing this year, reminds me of the Brown start, hope no probs next season.

 

[krisholio14]

Will be a good player at worst.

He's versatile, has poise and a touch of class.

 

[Turbocat]

Beasley,........thanks Turbo,......gee! that's a big call, he must have something to recieve that kind of praise.
Pity though not playing this year, reminds me of the Brown start, hope no probs next season.

For me not so much the Brown start , more Varcoe. Both pick 15 too I think.

 

[Belisarius]

From reading of other posters and media I thought Smedts might have been a first year player that could play a few senior games and had might even had some impact. Was pretty highly rated by some in the draft discussions.

I trust he will play next season and gets his chance along with others like Guthrie, Drum and Simpson - who have yet to really have any serious chance to show their wares.

Normally pretty confident about Wells' first selections.

PS. Let's hope he grows another cm - 191 cm as this a very good ultility size - especially if they can run with some pace.

 

[year of the cat]

Reported in Inside Football today that Billie has recovered quicker than expected from hip surgery and is on track to play in the VFL soon. Great news.

 

[you pick one]

From reading of other posters and media I thought Smedts might have been a first year player that could play a few senior games and had might even had some impact. Was pretty highly rated by some in the draft discussions.

I trust he will play next season and gets his chance along with others like Guthrie, Drum and Simpson - who have yet to really have any serious chance to show their wares.

Normally pretty confident about Wells' first selections.

PS. Let's hope he grows another cm - 191 cm as this a very good ultility size - especially if they can run with some pace.

Then they will get him in the gym and build him up till he can't run out of sight on a dark night or jump over the garden hose.

 

[AM]

At this stage, I rate Smedts no higher than I rate David Ugrinic.

Too glib?

Geez 'empy, never noticed even a glimmer of humour before this. Love it!

Yep! He "sounds like" he'll be more than useful. However it's obviously way too early to say anymore. There have been countless players who have performed well at lesser levels but haven't cut it at the elite level. There's more than natural ability involved in making a successful transition - temperament being just one.

As I mentioned earlier, Wells used one of our 'Ablett' priority picks to nail him and his record for getting it right is better than good.