POBT
Brownlow Medallist
Smith banking on rookie draft
By Lance Jenkinson
Tulla's own: If Phil Smith makes it to the AFL, he can thank the junior coaches and people involved at his junior club at Tullamarine. Picture: Lucy Aulich
PHIL Smith endured a hellish season with the Calder Cannons due to injuries.
Osteitis pubis, a strained calf, a broken hand and torn cartilage in the knee limited him to six games in the TAC Cup and resulted in him missing out on the Cannons' premiership team.
The 18-year-old has since undertaken a course at the Caterpillar Institute in Tullamarine and part-time work with his dad delivering meat.
Last week, his football year showed improvement when the Hawthorn Football Club contacted him to start training at 7.30am on Monday at the club's home base at Waverley Park.
Smith, who has grown up across the road from Tullamarine Reserve, was stunned and delighted.
"I was just rapt with the opportunity they gave me," he said.
"I want to get as much out of it as I can. You get blown away by the stars down there.
"It's pretty exciting."
The aim is for Smith to earn a position on the Hawks' rookie list. Next Tuesday's rookie draft is a second chance for the players who missed out on selection at the national draft.
Smith, a member of the Cannons' 2006 grand final loss to the Oakleigh Chargers, spent most of his Cannons career in the defensive 50-metre zone.
He described himself as a hard-running defender.
The Tullamarine junior, who also played one under-18 game at Oak Park, spoke to the Hawks at state screening this year.
Smith's season went on a downward spiral as injuries took their toll and his pre-season aim to make the Vic Metro team for the under-18 national carnival did not come to fruition.
"It was pretty frustrating," he said.
"I try not to dwell on what I can't control.
"I stayed as positive as I could."
Smith is one of thousands of players who were neglected at the November 24 draft, but who are hoping their ID number will be read out at the rookie draft.
The draft starts at 10.30am.
By Lance Jenkinson
Tulla's own: If Phil Smith makes it to the AFL, he can thank the junior coaches and people involved at his junior club at Tullamarine. Picture: Lucy Aulich
PHIL Smith endured a hellish season with the Calder Cannons due to injuries.
Osteitis pubis, a strained calf, a broken hand and torn cartilage in the knee limited him to six games in the TAC Cup and resulted in him missing out on the Cannons' premiership team.
The 18-year-old has since undertaken a course at the Caterpillar Institute in Tullamarine and part-time work with his dad delivering meat.
Last week, his football year showed improvement when the Hawthorn Football Club contacted him to start training at 7.30am on Monday at the club's home base at Waverley Park.
Smith, who has grown up across the road from Tullamarine Reserve, was stunned and delighted.
"I was just rapt with the opportunity they gave me," he said.
"I want to get as much out of it as I can. You get blown away by the stars down there.
"It's pretty exciting."
The aim is for Smith to earn a position on the Hawks' rookie list. Next Tuesday's rookie draft is a second chance for the players who missed out on selection at the national draft.
Smith, a member of the Cannons' 2006 grand final loss to the Oakleigh Chargers, spent most of his Cannons career in the defensive 50-metre zone.
He described himself as a hard-running defender.
The Tullamarine junior, who also played one under-18 game at Oak Park, spoke to the Hawks at state screening this year.
Smith's season went on a downward spiral as injuries took their toll and his pre-season aim to make the Vic Metro team for the under-18 national carnival did not come to fruition.
"It was pretty frustrating," he said.
"I try not to dwell on what I can't control.
"I stayed as positive as I could."
Smith is one of thousands of players who were neglected at the November 24 draft, but who are hoping their ID number will be read out at the rookie draft.
The draft starts at 10.30am.
