Rumour The curious case of Josh Smillie

[Aido97]

Tigers number 7 pick from last year has been through an “interesting” first season to say the least. Absolutely starred in preseason and intraclub work and the reports from track watchers were that this kid was the best since Dusty to walk into the club. Had a hammy issue preseason, missed a few games, played a few vfl games and was going ok. Then he has missed 18 weeks with the most vague excuses known to man.

Originally the club said a slight hammy. Then it went to “needs conditioning” then it’s been 1-2 weeks off for 12 weeks or so. Now it’s he was sick with the virus around the club and won’t play this year.

Has an incredible whiff of the Tanner Bruhn “finger” injury. Not 100% certain what the issue is but I am 100% certain that Richmond are lying about it

 

[Bostonian]

1+1 = 7896?

 

[MisterMarcus]

I've seen comments to the effect that he was lazy and slack about his training and fitness, hence not being considered for selection and/or being more prone to nagging niggling injuries.

So not a conspiracy, just hasn't got his head in the game yet about AFL level professionalism.

 

[BigPond101]

Have you heard any rumours? Drugs ? I don't care if it's unverified stuff you heard from a mate

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Richmond on Instagram: "Doing the right thing for Josh Smillie’s future."

5,698 likes, 71 comments - richmond_fc on August 5, 2025: "Doing the right thing for Josh Smillie’s future.".

www.instagram.com

2 weeks ago he was out with conditioning issues. And then this week he didnt pull up from training and then you have a video of him training in some weird PR stunt.

If we believe the Richmond injury reports basically he did his hamstring 4 times since he was drafted

IMO the sinister thing they are trying to protect is the woeful Richmond conditioning staff who seemingly cant get a young player to build without tearing a hamstring.

 

[GWT6]

Seems like one of those rare hammy-related poor trainer problems. Jordan Gysberts

Jordan Gysberts

Age

34

Ht

191cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.1

5star

K

8.9

3star

HB

10.2

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.8

5star

CL

3.5

5star

No current season stats available

D

21.2

5star

K

9.4

4star

HB

11.8

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

4.4

5star

suffered a similar affliction, can be career-ending.

 

[tiger_tough]

Tigers number 7 pick from last year has been through an “interesting” first season to say the least. Absolutely starred in preseason and intraclub work and the reports from track watchers were that this kid was the best since Dusty to walk into the club. Had a hammy issue preseason, missed a few games, played a few vfl games and was going ok. Then he has missed 18 weeks with the most vague excuses known to man.

Originally the club said a slight hammy. Then it went to “needs conditioning” then it’s been 1-2 weeks off for 12 weeks or so. Now it’s he was sick with the virus around the club and won’t play this year.

Has an incredible whiff of the Tanner Bruhn “finger” injury. Not 100% certain what the issue is but I am 100% certain that Richmond are lying about it

That is ****ing garbage posting. Pull your head in.

Whilst I don't think the club has been honest in the injury reports, I don't think it's got anything to do with off field issues. I just think they've completely mis managed him and tried to pull the wool over our eyes and have just used 'conditioning' as an easy out.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

You do realise they want to get it 100% right? Or do you want them to Sam Lalor another kid by tearing his hammy through negligence again?

Smilie came in with injuries, he was basically put on ice till mid year, sure fans would love to see him get a game or two but what is the rush, a full pre season and he is raring to go next season.

 

[Muddiemoose]

Bit of a leap made with this one, no doubt the club are being ambiguous about him but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything sinister either

Could just be mismanagement, lack of dedication and adjustment for an 18 year old 1st year player or just his relatively unique physical shape for a midfielder is taking some extra work to find that balance

The club is probably just trying to protect a kid from lunatic fans and afl media hyperbole

Bit of a non story for anyone except Tiger fans who want to see how our 2nd pick in last years draft performs

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Bit of a leap made with this one, no doubt the club are being ambiguous about him but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything sinister either

Could just be mismanagement, lack of dedication and adjustment for an 18 year old 1st year player or just his relatively unique physical shape for a midfielder is taking some extra work to find that balance

The club is probably just trying to protect a kid from lunatic fans and afl media hyperbole

Bit of a non story for anyone except Tiger fans who want to see how our 2nd pick in last years draft performs

Also they have been burnt bringing Lalor back, does it really matter if they are utra conservative, a few games here means no difference long term. Having him available day 1 of pre season with no issues is way more important.

 

[ferrisb]

He's a 19yo inside mid who is the size of a KPP.

Early on, there's going to be some growing pains (literal and metaphorical)

 

[Lia]

The reference to the finger injury of a Geelong player is a little out of order.

 

[Aido97]

Also they have been burnt bringing Lalor back, does it really matter if they are utra conservative, a few games here means no difference long term. Having him available day 1 of pre season with no issues is way more important.

This has been ongoing since way before Lalor reinjured his hammy.

 

[Aido97]

The reference to the finger injury of a Geelong player is a little out of order.

Certainly not saying he is a rapist. But he is also not “conditioning” or sick with the month long flu

 

[voorhees]

He's a 19yo inside mid who is the size of a KPP.

Early on, there's going to be some growing pains (literal and metaphorical)

yep..growing pains.
Not the ideal start to a career, but a career is far from a one year span.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

This has been ongoing since way before Lalor reinjured his hammy.

He was only ever playing a month at most the back end the club is handling this well

 

[Aido97]

He was only ever playing a month at most the back end the club is handling this well

After a "minor" hammy in round 5?

 

[GWT6]

Could you imagine all these Richmond White Knights if it was a Geelong Player?

Nuffies gonna Nuff

 

[LukeParkerno1]

After a "minor" hammy in round 5?

A minor one after having growing pains all pre season. It was never going to be just 4 weeks. It was always a lets re evaluate after the mid season bye. They are just being cautious that is all.

 

[matthew_s]

Certainly not saying he is a rapist. But he is also not “conditioning” or sick with the month long flu

AFL have bought this on themselves with their bullshit drugs policy. Doesn’t matter if the injury is legit anymore, there will be this kind of speculation.

 

[altf4]

The reference to the finger injury of a Geelong player is a little out of order.

I appreciate where you're coming from here - and I know nothing of the player being discussed.

On the other hand, unfortunately much like drug incidents/strikes, legitimately injured players or those with unusual circumstances will have assumptions made about them because of situations where players have had a drug or legal matter hidden under the excuse of an "injury".

 

[partycorolla]

After a "minor" hammy in round 5?

He did the hammy again in the vfl after playing round 6 against Box Hill (round 8 or 9 AFL depending on when he did it). As most people understand, a reoccurence of a hamstring usually equals 6 to 8 weeks, let alone for a young player. Then the conditioning phase. So was always going to be about a month of senior (AFL) footy at the most if all went well - which it obviously hasn't.

 

[Aido97]

Due to be called out on the incredible amount of bullshit the tigers have delivered fans they have issued a press release today stating he is now out with a Quad strain and will miss the rest of the year....

 

[WillHayward]

Could just be massive body not ready for rigours of AFL level training load.

It happens.

Might take a few years of conditioning.