Joel Smith signs on for 2022

[Wilson7 2,538]

Happy about this -

Smith signs contract extension

[Ethan Tremblay 28,777]

An athlete but not an AFL footballer. Hope he proves me wrong but I doubt it. 

[Guest]

I hope he's given a chance to make it.

He has the requisite athleticism, but he's never really had an injury free run at things. 

[hardtack 10,186]

2 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I hope he's given a chance to make it.

I have a feeling that he might be the one getting the nod this Sunday.

 

[picket fence 15,735]

4 minutes ago, Ethan Trembley said:

An athlete but not an AFL footballer. Hope he proves me wrong but I doubt it. 

He would prove all wrong including the selectors if they put him wher he should be played

IN THE FORWARD LINE!

[hardtack 10,186]

2 minutes ago, picket fence said:

He would prove all wrong including the selectors if they put him wher he should be played

IN THE FORWARD LINE!

Further to my post just above yours, that is precisely where I think he will be named... filling in for TMac.

[WA Demon Boy 966]

would be stunned if he is playing 

[deanox 8,950]

Has never looked like making it for mine, and has been 6-7 years on the list for 18 games isn't a great outcome.

Best of luck of he plays, but I'm not convinced he is the best reserve option.

[hardtack 10,186]

4 minutes ago, WA Demon Boy said:

would be stunned if he is playing 

Why?  He's just been given a one year extension and possibly offers more than AVB who gota run last week.

[faultydet 7,593]

He must have a Jims mowing business and take care of the list managers yard for free.

Has shown absolutely nothing to suggest he will be even a regular fill-in for us.

Very surprising decision.

[Jaded No More 59,810]

I guess he’s good depth as he can play multiple position. 

[deelusions from afar 1,620]

Even if he doesn't get a game the rest of the year, I'd feel pretty confident in him slotting in and making a go of it (if he stays injury free) if we cop injuries next year.  Reckon he's better than most realise and certainly better than whoever we would replace him with on the list for the same position.

[Kent 2,673]

1 minute ago, Jaded said:

I guess he’s good depth as he can play multiple position. 

He has a bad injury record doesn't he?

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I’m a believer but he needs to be playing forward.

[Demonstone 19,988]

The club obviously sees something in him.  I'm happy to trust their judgement.

[Stiff Arm 4,419]

Perspective is important.

We've been relatively injury free this year, Thomo being the biggest loss. This hasn't always been the case in recent seasons.

If we lost a few players before finals, Smith would certainly get a game or 2

He's not a world beater, but he offers excellent depth in a variety of positions.

The Club has generally been good at drafting, recruiting and development since Goodwin took over. I trust their judgement.

Edited August 13, 2021 by Stiff Arm

[sydneydee 662]

Agree with Hardtack and I hope to see Joel named and played in the forward line this weekend 

[wizardinoz 2,159]

33 minutes ago, picket fence said:

He would prove all wrong including the selectors if they put him wher he should be played

IN THE FORWARD LINE!

Fence, if he is so good at playing forward why does he not line up there for Casey?

[old55 21,844]

30 minutes ago, hardtack said:

Further to my post just above yours, that is precisely where I think he will be named... filling in for TMac.

 

1 minute ago, sydneydee said:

Agree with Hardtack and I hope to see Joel named and played in the forward line this weekend 

There is no way he will play forward this week ahead of Weid, just no way.

[drdrake 3,059]

I can't remember a time when this guy was able to get a real go injury free run.  He is a bloke that can play mid size or tall forward or back.  Just hope he can get 18months injury free to show us if he can play.

[hardtack 10,186]

6 minutes ago, drdrake said:

I can't remember a time when this guy was able to get a real go injury free run.  He is a bloke that can play mid size or tall forward or back.  Just hope he can get 18months injury free to show us if he can play.

I'm hoping he can emulate Petty in redeeming himself.  Both were cruelled by injury early in their careers when both were starting to show some good form, but were unable to return with the same level of confidence; Petty has since shown himself to be the defender we all hoped he would be when first recruited. 

Smith, in his return from the broken collarbone, kicked 4 goals in a 2019 pre-season match but unfortunately suffered a groin strain that put an end to his return; let's hope that like Petty, he can rise from the ashes.

[Earl Hood 5,870]

41 minutes ago, hardtack said:

Further to my post just above yours, that is precisely where I think he will be named... filling in for TMac.

He has been playing backline when fit since before last season, why would they pick him as a forward now? if he does play forward this week that would indicate to me that the Weid’s cards are stamped and he is halfway out of the club. I can’t see it myself. 

[titan_uranus 23,138]

Interesting decision.

I'm all for depth. We haven't had injuries this year and if the club thinks Smith is capable of filling a gap in the forward line, or (shudder) the back line, then fair enough.

But I'm not a fan and I'm not convinced he's good enough to play AFL level football with any consistency. Certainly not in the backline, where his Frost-like unpredictability goes against everything we've strived for this year.

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

I have a feeling that he might be the one getting the nod this Sunday.

No dice. Emergency, along with Bedford, vandenBerg and Weideman.

[Fat Tony 4,575]

I still think Smith is capable of being a good AFL player, particularly in our system which is so defensive from the back half. He obviously has below average skills but he is absolutely elite athletically.

Given we have no draft picks and are in Premiership mode, we don't want massive turnover to the list. One year deals to players like Smith make more sense than two year deals to pick 99.

[dazzledavey36 49,739]

Catching up to Jake Spencer.