Toast Smedts up forward

[tenderwarrior]

Really - so at 189 cm he is at least 6' 1 1/2" tall then ?

Thanks. Would be great then if he hit the 190 cm mark.

He is somewhere between 6'2" and 6'2.5"

1" = 2.54cm, so 6'1.5" = roughly 186.75cm!

 

[Cosmic Energy]

Looking forward to seeing how he goes tonight, just the right sort of game for our young guys to experience at this stage with what should be finals-like atmosphere and instensity. I doubt he's a player Hawthorn would have looked at too much, but as someone else said you'd suspect they'll try and crunch him at some stage.

 

[footscore]

must stay forward, watch his final 5 minutes of the game tonight...he was near everything and he was responsible for the goal that got us back within a goal.

His tackling pressure and one percenter efforts was sensational, haven't seen the stats but he must have had around 8 or so one percenters that resulted in scoreboard pressure.

Looks very, very promising

 

[David the Cat]

Yes bobbie....Smedts stood up....and so did a few others. He's going to be a player that kid.

 

[Turbocat]

Say again , put the time into preseason , put some time into the gym , time into setshot kicking but he is young. Time is on his side , yes it is , yes it is!

 

[jc37]

I was very curious to see what Cats fans thought of this guy and I like everything I have read being positive because while I think he makes quite a few errors by foot and hand, his pace and movement make him an excitement machine and one of my favorite non Collingwood players to watch. His handball to Hawkins was awesome in the last. He reminds me of a Rolls Royce version of the pies Sinclair with far more upside, in that probably everywhere else on the field he would be a liability at the moment but the forward line with his pace and manic pressure makes you a better side. The way he is improving each game this could change before too long as he has the look of a superstar about him. I hope Menzel beats his injury curse because him and Smedts I think will be great for the neutral supporter in the future in a similar way watching Stevie J is now with his weekly freaky football show. Three weeks ago I was hoping we played you in the finals now I am not so sure but I will be praying you knock out the hawks.

 

[Tulip]

Is his kicking any good? Or does he just lack confidence?

The amount of times he needed to boot it deep forward and instead looked for the non-existant look away handball was alarming.

He's going to be a real player though, very exciting talent.

 

[Senatorguesty]

Is his kicking any good? Or does he just lack confidence?

The amount of times he needed to boot it deep forward and instead looked for the non-existant look away handball was alarming.

He's going to be a real player though, very exciting talent.

his kicking is a little sus.
Now I dont know if thats an issue with him, if its technique or if its just experience/confidence but right now its a bit of an issue.
His handballs and movement through traffic is first rate, if he can fix his kicking (his only weakness IMO) then he could be something else the kid.... We got him from 1 of the Ablett compo picks if I'm correct? Reckon we are going to do ok out of him going north.....

 

[sexyhunk]

his kicking is a little sus.
Now I dont know if thats an issue with him, if its technique or if its just experience/confidence but right now its a bit of an issue.
His handballs and movement through traffic is first rate, if he can fix his kicking (his only weakness IMO) then he could be something else the kid.... We got him from 1 of the Ablett compo picks if I'm correct? Reckon we are going to do ok out of him going north.....

I agree his field kicking needs work, too much air when kicking to a leading target. But his goal kicking seems to be pretty spot on. However, doubt he be permanent forward for the next year or two anyway as blokes like johnson and chapman will go more deep as they get older. Also whem menzel comes back.

 

[Senatorguesty]

I agree his field kicking needs work, too much air when kicking to a leading target. But his goal kicking seems to be pretty spot on. However, doubt he be permanent forward for the next year or two anyway as blokes like johnson and chapman will go more deep as they get older. Also whem menzel comes back.

I tend to agree and your right his goal kicking is fantastic, which is a bit odd really considering his field kicking, as you say needs work (I doubt he will ever be an elite kicker of the ball, but thats ok we have PLENTY coming through who are in Duncan, Bundy etc).
I'm not sure about him NOT being a forward tho, I wouldnt mind seeing him on a flank when these guys come back, maybe a high winger?

Smedts Walker Motlop
Chappy Hawkins Menzel

Stevie will play midfield for many years yet and I now consider Varcoe a mid...
I'm sure I've changed that forward 6 dozens of times so far this year tho

 

[Grizzly_82]

Will be a great midfielder in a few pre seasons time, just need to gain more confidence in his kicking but he has all the tools.

**** I'm excited for next year with Varcoe, Menzel and Vardy comes back going to be a scary team.

 

[footscore]

Will be a great midfielder in a few pre seasons time, just need to gain more confidence in his kicking but he has all the tools.

**** I'm excited for next year with Varcoe, Menzel and Vardy comes back going to be a scary team.

he's definitely got something special about him doesn't he?

Just the way he seems to try things when most other newbies find it a little difficult to find the space.
Also doesn't mind putting the body on the line and as you said, a few preseasons and 10-15kg's later...he is going to be special

 

[DanA]

His combination of speed and lateral movement is astonishing and unique in the AFL. He's too light right now to fully utilize it but when he's strong enough to break tackles he's going to be a nightmare to play against. Billy has kicked 6.9 which isn't a good goal kicking record, love him, rate him highly but he has a funny almost double handed ball drop which needs to be fixed.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Needs to work on his kicking but his speed and pressure in our front half is exactly what we need right now. Kudos to the coaches for making the move. That steal to create the Hawkins goal was fantastic. He needs time in the gym and we need to keep putting games into him so he can learn when and how to use his pace and agility...right now he has such fantastic movement that will cut up sides, but he doesn't know how to use it. Once he gets to 50 or so games I think he will.....then look out.

 

[Copernicus]

The move for Smedts has been genius. Great closing speed, good pressure from a kid his size, and his decision making in tight (for instance, the smother, gather and handpass to Hawkins in the last q) has been excellent. So much upside for the kid.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Still a pup but he has the agility , smarts , courage and an x factor about him to be really special.
Agree with him needing to improve the kicking and really look forward to him gaining some weight and strength over the next few years. Did some sensational things in the second half last night , defenite star on the rise.

 

[SJ]

Surprised no one has mentioned the handball intercept and goal assist for Hawkins' second last goal. A moment of brilliance that helped us win the game. Got absolutely flattened a second later too.

 

[footscore]

Surprised no one has mentioned the handball intercept and goal assist for Hawkins' second last goal. A moment of brilliance that helped us win the game. Got absolutely flattened a second later too.

http://www.smartreplay.afl.com.au/?...01&eventType=Goal&seek=7447&videoQuality=high

was amazing reflexes and poise to find the man with Shoenmakers running full-tilt toward him.
You right, he got absolutely hammered
3 years in the gym and he'll just bounce off him and be able to get back into the contest again.

 

[David the Cat]

We must remember he's just a kid...ALL his skills need work but the signs are he is a real talent.

One thing he isnt short on is courage. I have seen an example in each of the last three weeks where he has had the opportunity to put his body on the line and he has taken it each time.

The running backwards overhead mark a week or two ago sticks in my mind.

The handball to Hawkins for the snap goal against the Hawks was Rolls Royce execution.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Totally agree with the consensus that Smedts' kicking has been a little suss at times this season, but I personally have no real long-term concerns; many of our flag-winning greats took a while to hone the radar; Enright is probably our most consistent ball-user along with Jimmy, Selwood and Scarlett, but he was horrible for a few years there.
Wojak was poor early on too; even GAJ had a couple of seasons of not making the most of his goal-kicking opportunities.

The ability to execute his kicks under pressure will come with increased fitness levels (which will buy him more time, as well as allow for a clearer head when making decisions - if you are exhausted on the field you will start to make more mistakes, and conversely, the fitter you are the more energy you can expend on the mental side of the game) & experience.

I also think he will be a very handy overhead mark in another 2 seasons.

 

[Belisarius]

Just rewatched the game and yes Smedts was good. Lots of running, providing pressure and some good tackles. Quite quick and so can run down a player. Not a bad mark.

Just does not have the body strength to out mark an opponent - so that may have to wait for a season or two.

But he definately adds to the forward line - and he does the odd really good thing as well. Just wish he had another pre-season and 20 games under his belt before this final series. He will only get better.

Will be handy right now (especially with Varco out), build thru 2013 and will start to peak in 2014.

 

[hbk_aus]

Hard to believe its his first year of any type of senior footy. Huge upside.

 

[meto]

Saw him take a front on assault while trying to mark, nearly took it, no free, couldn't believe it!

Kid's got great balance and is a strong mark but needs to build the core and legs then he'll be a super weapon.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Surprised no one has mentioned the handball intercept and goal assist for Hawkins' second last goal. A moment of brilliance that helped us win the game. Got absolutely flattened a second later too.

I did. It was brilliant.

It's good to see that despite still having a slight frame, he's going in at the contest a lot harder than he was earlier in the year, and taking the hits and getting back up. Should give him confidence.

 

[Claude Balls]

I'm not so worried about his kicking. You don't have to have a textbook action and all that to be a classy player (see James Hird), and I reckon as he develops and finds even more time and space than he already does (being a very elusive, quick player), he'll begin to hit targets the majority of the time.

Plus, his handballing is first rate, and with improved core and arm strength, I'd expect him to to be capable of paying his wage solely as an inside mid. Not that he'll be one but you know what I mean.