Nick Smith

[Get Smart 86]

A question for all you guys who regularly watch Swans reserves............... Young Nick Smith...retained for next year as a rookie.

What sort of player is he?
Is he good enough to be upgraded if the Swans get a long term injury in 2008?
What are his positives as a footballer?

Thanks in advance
Maxwell

 

[liz]

There's nothing that really stands out about Smith but he does most things pretty well. Early in the season he didn't see much of the ball but tended to use it well when he did get it. As the season went on he got more of the ball and so had more of an impact.

His main obstacle at the moment - other than the lack of a stand-out weapon - is his build. He's still pretty skinny. But if he can get a bit stronger as he matures he stands some chance of playing AFL footy in the future. If you look at Kirk you see that a player doesn't have to be that bulky to be effective, and I suspect that if he makes it at AFL level it will be as a Kirk-type player - fearless, hardworking, apparently innocuous but with an ability to make more of an impact that you'd think possible. (And his kicking skills are much better than Kirk's!)

He was super in the ACTAFL GF - maybe a tad unlucky not to get the Jesaulenko medal (though Brabazon played a very good game too).

In terms of next season, at this stage he looks to be behind a longish list of other players who are more physically ready. But it was probably his improvement over the second half of the season that got him the nod over O'Dwyer and if he continues on that path he may be capable of being next season's Kieran Jack.