THE SMITH FACTOR by Whispering Jack

There's a young kid who I've been watching closely on Foxtel's coverage of the AFL Under 18 Championships and who I think might have a role to play in changing Melbourne's future fortunes through this year's draft. However, if that happens, he won't end up as a Demon.

Smith was selected yesterday as a member of the All Australian team (on top of being named his state's MVP) but, because his birth date is 3rd February 1996, the Western Australian is not eligible to be drafted at November's AFL draft meeting.

Clem Smith was a member of an AFL indigenous player tour to South Africa last year - WA teens leap into the limelight following which he was named in the 2012/3 AIS/AFL Academy (Level 1). He was described in the Academy's profiles as follows:-

Clem SMITH 03 February 96 177cm 67kg Western Australia/Perth/Wesley College

Small defender/forward that uses the ball exceptionally well and makes very good decisions. His rebound from defence can break the game open at times through his excellent leg speed and attack on the ball. Also displays the ability to push forward and be dangerous around goals. Indigenous Player.

AIS/AFL ACADEMY PROFILES

A member of the Perth Colts (WAFL), Smith toured New Zealand with the Academy earlier this year and starred in their 16.5 (101) to 7.16 (58) win over a representative side, the NZ Hawks.

Smith displayed explosive pace, drive and skills in the Under 18 championships and, on what I saw, was well deserving of his AA honour as a bottom age player. He will no doubt be well sought after in the future by AFL clubs because players of his flair and ability to cause damage to the opposition are rare.

Which brings me to why he could play a role in Melbourne's future draft fortunes.

Smith's birth date puts him in the same range as Jaeger O'Meara, Brad Crouch, Jack Martin and Jesse Hogan - the four players selected over the past two years in the GWS Mini Drafts. The first two are already turning heads in the AFL and have received rising star nominations. If another mini draft was held later this year, Smith would be the #1 target of many AFL clubs, especially those that already have strong lists with very few immediate needs.

Such clubs would no doubt relish the thought of being able to stockpile a player of Clem Smith's talents while developing him further for a year at VFL or similar state level in 2014.

Many clubs have expressed opposition to the idea of simply giving Melbourne priority picks to get it out of its current playing list predicament but I sense that there would be less resistance if a prize like Clem Smith was on offer to them by way of trades for players and/or draft picks to the Demons.

And Smith is not the only young prospect in AIS/AFL Academy ranks who would attract attention and become available if the AFL decided to give Melbourne draft assistance through a GWS style mini draft. The following are among the Academy members who fit the bill for eligibility for such a draft and who also made their respective state squads for the recently completed championships:-

Jesse Watchman (West Adelaide) 196cm, 91kg

Peter Spurling (Glenelg) 199cm, 85kg

Bohdi Walker (Gippsland) 182cm, 82kg

Jake Lever (Calder) 190cm, 82kg

Ryan Lim (Claremont) 186cm, 75kg

Warrick Wilson (Swan Districts) 187cm, 72kg

Liam Griffiths (Ainslie) 183cm, 78kg

Lachlan Weller (Broadbeach) 179cm, 71kg

Liam Dawson (Aspley) 188cm, 78kg

Matthew Hammelmann (Morningside) 196cm, 84kg

Most of them would be unknowns at the moment except for the scouts at AFL clubs who would be smacking their lips if they knew there was a possibility of recruiting Clem Smith or one or two others on this list.

We need another wizard.

To avoid igniting any further discussion on player weights, I should add that the details given above for Smith are outdated and applied at the time of his induction to the AIS/AFL Academy. According to the Perth Football Club website he now weighs 74kg.

Clem Smith will be a STAR. I hope the AFL says "MFC" have access to the best player in 17y bracket not eligible for the draft. ie. either select or trade away for a pick in this draft. Eagles would jump at Smith and offer say pick 9. HMMM.