WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - JOEL SMITH

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Is he likely to be able to play football ?

Who knows? But as a rookie it seems like he is worth the punt.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,242]

Who knows? But as a rookie it seems like he is worth the punt.

OK. If he is with us - I am with him.

[daisycutter 29,622]

Is he likely to be able to play football ?

no he plays basketball

due to our failed tunnel-ball experiment we are embarking on a basketball experiment

ok?

[HulkHogan 69]

Howe's replacement

[Deecisive 1,709]

Who knows? But as a rookie it seems like he is worth the punt.

Article on the MFC website said he played as a junior and did very well, but moved to basketball. Now wants back into football.

Sounds like a great prospect as he obviously has played competitive sport. Has played football so knows the basic and is coming off an excellent base and has a great pedigree.

I look forward to hearing more about his progress.

[Cards13 9,117]

I wonder what his skills will be like.

Generally basketballer's are fairly skilled so hopefully he is a good set shot and possibly play in the forward line with Hoges.

Just like Jacky Watts, exciting!!

[Earl Hood 6,086]

And while we are talking Shaun Smith, I say he could play. One of Neale Daniher's biggest errors was moving this guy on when was it 1998?

Neale never got the obvious that Shaun had another 3 years in him as a key position backman but not as a high flying forward.

He had everything you needed as a key backman - that I remember.

[jayceebee31 761]

And while we are talking Shaun Smith, I say he could play. One of Neale Daniher's biggest errors was moving this guy on when was it 1998?

Neale never got the obvious that Shaun had another 3 years in him as a key position backman but not as a high flying forward.

He had everything you needed as a key backman - that I remember.

You are correct ... should have kept him for longer ...

[ILLDieADemon 804]

I will never forget the massive specky Shaun took in the goal square when he basically was standing on Garry Lyons shoulders and took mark of the century.

One of the biggest highlight I remember as a kid.

[ChaserJ 5,098]

So, what are the rules for a Category B Rookie? Does he need to be upgraded like any other rookie if he is to play? For the purpose of playing list numbers, does he take one of the rookie spots? How many years can he stay on the list as a Category B Rookie?

Needs to be upgraded I believe. We can have up to 6 cat A rookies & 3 additional Cat B rookies. Must have min 38 on primary list and 44 in total (prim & rookie), so a lot depends on whether we want to go with a primary list with as few as 38 (unlikely). Might see something like 40 + 4 again. Few more delistings to come I fancy.

[monoccular 17,438]

Needs to be upgraded I believe. We can have up to 6 cat A rookies & 3 additional Cat B rookies. Must have min 38 on primary list and 44 in total (prim & rookie), so a lot depends on whether we want to go with a primary list with as few as 38 (unlikely). Might see something like 40 + 4 again. Few more delistings to come I fancy.

Many thanks for clarifying.

[DeeMfc 621]

Someone here mentioned they went past goschs paddock and saw Viney, Petracca and someone who looked like Daniel Mcstay all having a kick.

I'll bet it was Joel Smith. Same height, weight and similar looks etc.

I wonder if they could shed some more light on the subject?

[Moonshadow 17,676]

FMD I'm so bloody glad my club doesn't leak like a sieve anymore. Look forward to seeing if this works out. Don't know anything about him but I like the outside the square thinking.

[CatFishPig 455]

Such a feel good story, I had a grin from ear to ear reading the article..

Smithy took the best grab I can remember.. I've many times seen him out having a beer and had a yarn to him. Is an absolute legend..

I hope his boy has a good crack at it, you never know do you..

Mark Blicavs anyone....

[Lucifers Hero 39,975]

Shaun Smith was just interviewed on SEN and his comments about Joel were:

- Played under 16's football;

- Dropped footy to focus on VCE and basketball;

- In the Dees' sights for nearly a year;

- Dees liked his athleticism;

- Last year he did some trials and kicking with the Dees;

- Being son of a former player appealed;

- MFC left it up to Joel to think about it for a year;

- with Jeremy Howe going, it provided an opportunity for someone like Joel ... he alluded to maybe taking high marks like Howe;

- Joel is 6'3" and Shaun sees him as a forward, has endurance and a tank.

Sounds very good ... I'm dreaming that he could be the forward buddy we are looking for Jesse.

Long way to go but he will be another Son of ... to enjoy watching in red and blue!

[Moonshadow 17,676]

Have we got any father/sons coming up in the next few years? Another Viney junior?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Someone here mentioned they went past goschs paddock and saw Viney, Petracca and someone who looked like Daniel Mcstay all having a kick.

I'll bet it was Joel Smith. Same height, weight and similar looks etc.

I wonder if they could shed some more light on the subject?

Good detective work.

[DeeZee 7,425]

Ha ha this is a beauty, he happens to be the boyfriend of one of my daughter's best mates.

Seen him play basketball quite a few times and he has won best a couple of best and fairest with one of our local footy clubs.

He is lightning quick for his size and has a huge leap on him, top kid too.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,816]

Just like Jacky Watts, exciting!!

If it makes you feel better, think of Scott Pendlebury.

[Cards13 9,117]

If it makes you feel better, think of Scott Pendlebury.

Oooohhhhhhh Scotty.....

And why wouldn't Jacky Watts make me feel good?!

[poita 3,902]

Shaun Smith looked 40 when he was 25, but he hasn't aged a day since. Good luck to Joel.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Geez, this pick-up sounds better and better all the time. Imagine if he proved as ingenious as the VDB recruitment.

[chook fowler 19,459]

Shaun needed Grecian 2000 when he was playing for us.

[nutbean 8,838]

I had dinner with Shaun Smith last year and on talking about his son he said he is a gun basketballer who played junior football but didn't have much interest now - things certainly change in a year.

[Daily Dose of Demons 155]

What I noticed when growing up was the elite players that played TAC cup and even made Vic Metro and then subsequently drafted, were absolute freaks at basketball. Take Petracca I've watched him play basketball and he is a much better basketball player than he is footballer. Basketball helps you develop so many skills that are crucial for AFL mainly calmness in traffic like Pendlebury who is able to weave in and out without being tackled (who was also a freak at basketball). Also another thing is clean hands, you move so fast in basketball you have to be ready to catch the ball in an instant. So I can't wait to how he develops.