I believe in Billie Smedts

[Daniel McL]

I honestly do not get the hype around Smedts - when he wasn't injured (rare) he turned the ball over, got caught and displayed a complete lack of football intelligence. His disposal was ordinary, his marking is weak. His only strong point was speed - useless when he doesn't know when and how to use it, now he has had a broken leg we have no idea what effect that will have on him. Why do we continue with him - he has been on our list 4 years now for no contribution except taking up a list spot.

Doesn't help when they play him in the completely wrong position mate. His disposal became ordinary, he got caught & he displayed a lack of football intelligence after he got moved to the back line. In 2012 mostly when he was up forward he used the ball well, didn't get caught as much + kicked some goals out of nothing. When Smedts was forward he didn't think as much & worry about if he stuffed something up he would just do & played more off instinct, he can definitely read the play well look at that intercept & handball he did to Hawkins for a goal vs Hawks in 2012.

We need to move him back up forward in 2017 if fit. I wouldn't mind a forward line based around pressure of Hawkins, Menzel, Kersten/Caddy, McCarthy, Cockatoo & Gregson/Smedts. Would also need the midfielders to lower their eyes more though as it wouldn't be a tall forward line at all.

 

[ShaunWDT]

Smedts best VFL footy has always been as an on baller, why we * around with him in other roles is beyond me.

 

[Two Planks]

Smedts best VFL footy has always been as an on baller, why we **** around with him in other roles is beyond me.

Would love to see him play as an oballer in 2017 and find out once and for all whether he is good enough. Has some dash about him which would compliment our existing one paced midfield.

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

I honestly do not get the hype around Smedts - when he wasn't injured (rare) he turned the ball over, got caught and displayed a complete lack of football intelligence. His disposal was ordinary, his marking is weak. His only strong point was speed - useless when he doesn't know when and how to use it, now he has had a broken leg we have no idea what effect that will have on him. Why do we continue with him - he has been on our list 4 years now for no contribution except taking up a list spot.

Really? My lasting impression from the games I've seen Smedts play is that he has excellent hands for his size. His agility is also a massive strength; or at least it was - injuries may have curtailed that somewhat. In any case, as was mentioned earlier, Smedts' value (admittedly based largely on potential, though he hasn't ever really had a clear run to prove himself) is far higher than whatever pick we'd receive in a trade.

 

[bigblackboz]

Not worth trading. Just keep and let us hope his body is right this year. Thought his work ethic increased and then bang, injury. I personally thought he was going to arrive in 2016 but injury ****ed him.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I honestly do not get the hype around Smedts - when he wasn't injured (rare) he turned the ball over, got caught and displayed a complete lack of football intelligence. His disposal was ordinary, his marking is weak. His only strong point was speed - useless when he doesn't know when and how to use it, now he has had a broken leg we have no idea what effect that will have on him. Why do we continue with him - he has been on our list 4 years now for no contribution except taking up a list spot.

6 years actually. Although to be fair cowan has had 7.

 

[crocsta]

Smedts shoulders sit forward so always suspect to injury. He can't play in midfield as only a matter of time before the get reinjured.

Injuries aside, he does seem to be improving and has some traits the team is lacking. I actually hope he stays as it's too late to trade him.

I would give him another year although the most likely outcome is another injury.


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[Daniel McL]

Thought Billie's one game in seniors this year was pretty impressive considering how poor the rest of the team was vs Carlton.

Kicked 1 goal from set shot 45m out which previously Billie would've just sprayed it because he was too worried thinking about failing.

Also he clearly has good agility because in that game he ran straight at the ball & stepped inside a blues player before hand-balling it out to a teammate.

Didn't really deserve to be dropped on that performance then of course the week after in VFL got injured.

But clearly Billie has knuckled down the last couple pre-seasons & been training hard, now it's all about staying fit & healthy, hope he can surprise a few people in 2017 & cement a spot in the seniors while getting himself a new contract with the Cats.

 

[Partridge]

6 years actually. Although to be fair cowan has had 7.

Yep, Vardy and Menzel have had seven years too.

 

[catswhiskers]

Would love to see him play as an oballer in 2017 and find out once and for all whether he is good enough. Has some dash about him which would compliment our existing one paced midfield.

If he is with us he would have to start in the VFL and put together a good long block of games. I agree play on ball (inside / outside) and see what he has. Another I wouldn't offer up for a bag of chips.

 

[ryzza11]

His set shot in that game was a beauty Daniel McL
The best thing he did was swoop on a ball at full speed, I think in the last quarter, showed true desperation and class.

 

[OzeSparky]

Thought Billie's one game in seniors this year was pretty impressive considering how poor the rest of the team was vs Carlton.

Kicked 1 goal from set shot 45m out which previously Billie would've just sprayed it because he was too worried thinking about failing.

Also he clearly has good agility because in that game he ran straight at the ball & stepped inside a blues player before hand-balling it out to a teammate.

Didn't really deserve to be dropped on that performance then of course the week after in VFL got injured.

But clearly Billie has knuckled down the last couple pre-seasons & been training hard, now it's all about staying fit & healthy, hope he can surprise a few people in 2017 & cement a spot in the seniors while getting himself a new contract with the Cats.

Proves our coach had favourites

 

[Glassjaw]

Bin juice. Always has been. Too dumb for footy. Can't teach decision making (Tenace, lol)

 

[Cosmic Energy]

Bin juice. Always has been. Too dumb for footy. Can't teach decision making (Tenace, lol)

Can't agree.

Here is his work from 2012 & 2013. Not exactly One Special Season, but some nice forward work - marks, crumbs, goals on the run, set shots. If anyone takes the time to watch, have a listen to the commentary also.

 

[catempire]

Can't agree.

Here is his work from 2012 & 2013. Not exactly One Special Season, but some nice forward work - marks, crumbs, set shots. If anyone takes the time to watch, have a listen to the commentary also.

And we still lack a creative small forward and refuse to play Smedts there.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

And we still lack a creative small forward and refuse to play Smedts there.

That was one of the things I took out of this season. Absolutely need one. A specialist small forward.
Gregson and McCarthy are in the mould but as of yet haven't really set the world alight with goal tallies.
Smedts is one that should play there but at VFL plays on ball where he's never going to play for us at senior level.

Behind Guthrie, Duncan, Cockatoo and Motlop for that outside midfielder
Behind Caddy, Menegola, Selwood and Dangerwood for inside grunt.

Need to start playing players where they're likely to feature in the AFL side at reserve level to familiarise with roles, positioning and tactical nous.

 

[David the Cat]

To be fair, they may have played him midfield to get some K's into his legs. I do agree though, he has "forward" written all over him.

 

[Pivo]

And we still lack a creative small forward and refuse to play Smedts there.

The refusal, when he's been fit, to play Smedts more regularly in his natural position sits right up there on my "WTF Geelong" List.

It has pride of place alongside the recruitment of, and then subsequent reluctance to play, Sam Blease and our performances coming out of byes.

It is well documented that I have never held out much hope for the guy but, c'mon, at least give him a fighting chance by playing to his strengths a bit more.

 

[Partridge]

Can't agree.

Here is his work from 2012 & 2013. Not exactly One Special Season, but some nice forward work - marks, crumbs, goals on the run, set shots. If anyone takes the time to watch, have a listen to the commentary also.

It's worth watching a few times. More than enough forward potential there though.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Once again Billie the forward gets brought up. He's played as a defender for most of his career at Geelong and most of his time before coming to Geelong. If he makes it it'll be as a half-back or winger. Playing a guy permanently as a small forward really limits your options so they need to be superstars for it to work. Specialist small forwards have an awful record in finals in the past 10 years or so too. Smedts could play forward at times but playing hi there permanently would be asking for him to fail. He doesn't have the tricks to do that. But he does have the defensive judgement, marking ability, disposal and speed/acceleration to be a really good half-back flanker. He just needs to really build his confidence and get some continuity because he's got all the tools and he's been brilliant in the VFL in that role over the last couple of years.

Eastern Wood had played 47 games after 6 years due to injury and poor form. Billie has played 38 in the same time. There's no reason he can't do the same and become a quality defender in a similar style.

 

[Johanpetro]

We desperately need a crafty small forward. I used to believe he could be the one. Although he only averages 0.5 goals a game for his career, albeit in an injury plagued, out of position played career.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

And we still lack a creative small forward and refuse to play Smedts there.

SMEDTS ISN'T SMALL 189

 

[catempire]

SMEDTS ISN'T SMALL 189

WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING?

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

Eastern Wood had played 47 games after 6 years due to injury and poor form. Billie has played 38 in the same time. There's no reason he can't do the same and become a quality defender in a similar style.

The character of those 2 couldn't be more different though.

 

[Partridge]

The character of those 2 couldn't be more different though.

Unless you are at the club there's no way to know that.