The debate about draft smokies was supposed to have ended some time ago. Back in the early days of the draft some thirty plus years ago, it sometimes happened that players were hidden from the sight of other clubs enabling them to be snapped up deep into the draft — they were the smokeys who’s selection left club recruiting officers grinning with excitement. 

Some examples of smokies -

• Hawthorn recruiter John Turnbull used his close contacts in Western Australia to draft East Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin in the first round with pick number 10 in 1999. McPharlin had played only a handful of games with the Sharks’ Colts team. 

• Legendary St Kilda recruiting officer John Beveridge (father of Luke) was so desperate to draft Noble Park’s James Gwilt that he didn’t sleep the night before the 2004 National Draft out of concerns that other clubs might have been aware of him. Gwilt was taken with pick 63.

• Jayden Hunt was better known as a schoolboy sprinter than a footballer and had missed a great deal of football due to injuries while undergoing a growth spurt. When drafted by the Demons at 57 in the 2013 National Draft, he was the only player in the draft to not play any football at under 18 level. Herald Sun journalist, Sam Landsberger, labeled him a “draft smokey”, noting he was "plucked from relative obscurity".

Over time however, with more sophisticated recruiting methods and clubs throwing more money and staff into the arena, it became progressively much more difficult to hide away that special player from the rest of the world. 

About seven years ago, long-time AFL list manager Chris Pelchen declared that there was “no such thing as a draft smokey”.

“While players may sometimes slip under the radar of various clubs, the extensive recruiting networks operating in 2014 make it extremely unlikely that any player is known to only one team. Obviously, a player's ranking will vary from club-to-club in each year but the need for players to nominate for the draft, combined with full-time AFL staff managing the talent pathway throughout Australia, means that the likelihood of a "smokey" in the draft has all but disappeared. You just can't hide talented players any more!”

Thar was before Covid19 came along. Over the past two seasons, the entire football scene has been dumped on its head. While Western Australia and South Australia have been able to weather the storm, it’s been a different story in Victoria, the sport’s heartland which normally provides more than half of the nation’s draftees in the National Draft.

This year, we saw a limited number of games in the NAB Boys League level and a couple of practice matches at Country vs Metro level this year. There’s every chance that recruiting scouts might have missed on seeing some players with future AFL potential. 

I wonder whether we might see one or two of them picked as smokies that are truly rare hidden gems in a month or so’s time?

  On 22/10/2021 at 19:26, Whispering_Jack said:

The debate about draft smokeys was supposed to have ended some time ago. Back in the early days of the draft some thirty plus years ago, it sometimes happened that players were hidden from the sight of other clubs enabling them to be snapped up deep into the draft — they were the smokeys who’s selection left club recruiting officers grinning with excitement. 

Some examples of smokies -

• Hawthorn recruiter John Turnbull used his close contacts in Western Australia to draft East Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin in the first round with pick number 10 in 1999. McPharlin had played only a handful of games with the Sharks’ Colts team. 

• Legendary St Kilda recruiting officer John Beveridge (father of Luke) was so desperate to draft Noble Park’s James Gwilt that he didn’t sleep the night before the 2004 National Draft out of concerns that other clubs might have been aware of him. Gwilt was taken with pick 63.

• Jayden Hunt was better known as a schoolboy sprinter than a footballer and had missed a great deal of football due to injuries while undergoing a growth spurt. When drafted by the Demons at 57 in the 2013 National Draft, he was the only player in the draft to not play any football at under 18 level. Herald Sun journalist, Sam Landsberger, labeled him a “draft smokey”, noting he was "plucked from relative obscurity".

Over time however, with more sophisticated recruiting methods and clubs throwing more money and staff into the arena, it became progressively much more difficult to hide away that special player from the rest of the world. 

About seven years ago, long-time AFL list manager Chris Pelchen declared that there was “no such thing as a draft smokey”.

“While players may sometimes slip under the radar of various clubs, the extensive recruiting networks operating in 2014 make it extremely unlikely that any player is known to only one team. Obviously, a player's ranking will vary from club-to-club in each year but the need for players to nominate for the draft, combined with full-time AFL staff managing the talent pathway throughout Australia, means that the likelihood of a "smokey" in the draft has all but disappeared. You just can't hide talented players any more!”

Thar was before Covid19 came along. Over the past two seasons, the entire football scene has been dumped on its head. While Western Australia and South Australia have been able to weather the storm, it’s been a different story in Victoria, the sport’s heartland which normally provides more than half of the nation’s draftees in the National Draft.

This year, we saw a limited number of games in the NAB Boys League level and a couple of practice matches at Country vs Metro level this year. There’s every chance that recruiting scouts might have missed on seeing some players with future AFL potential. 

I wonder whether we might see one or two of them picked as smokeys that are truly rare hidden gems in a month or so’s time?

Jayden's uncle was Andy Moir #29 who was a leaping forward.

Whilst not exactly a “Smokey”, I’d like nominate Connor Macdonald as a player to note.  Played excellent schoolboy footy for Haileybury in the APS competition and in limited games also showed plenty for Dandenong Stingrays.  He’s the sort of midfielder that is really good at run and carry but also can win his own footy.  His versatility to play across midfield, half back or half forward presents as a good draft option. Probably our 2nd round pick could see him shoot up into contention to become a Demon. 

Brisbane bears had many smokeys....

I think Jake Bowey, if not a smokey was probably the steal of the draft.

He's been the best performed player from that draft to date.

Having AA teammates around hasn't hurt.

I would think if it wasn't for COVID he would have gone a lot higher in the draft and we would have missed out on him.

Another one of these would be good.

  On 23/10/2021 at 05:11, rjay said:

I think Jake Bowey, if not a smokey was probably the steal of the draft.

He's been the best performed player from that draft to date.

Having AA teammates around hasn't hurt.

I would think if it wasn't for COVID he would have gone a lot higher in the draft and we would have missed out on him.

Another one of these would be good.

A 6ft 1 midfield version would be ideal

Mac Andrew would have been a smokey if not for the fact that everyone made a big deal about him. 😀

Craig Smoker

Is it too late for Damien Gaspar to make a comeback?

Max Gawn didn't mind a smokey.

I really think this draft is to our advantage. We draft competitive players and we know who they are without watching them play for the last 2 years.

Max was a smokie out of the draft... then Junior McDonald caught him whilst driving to training and it put a stop to that habit.

  On 23/10/2021 at 22:43, Wrecker46 said:

Max Gawn didn't mind a smokey.

I really think this draft is to our advantage. We draft competitive players and we know who they are without watching them play for the last 2 years.

Hahahaha. You literally beat me by 10sec I think.

Brett Heady (92) and Dean Kemp (119) in the days when WCE told their future prospects to keep a low profile.

Historically the ultimate smokey is James Hird, tucked away in Canberra and taken at woopwoop pick.

Unfortunately people are now aware of the existence of Canberra. Even Tuggeranong (Aaron Hamill) which is technically Canberra I suppose.

Now, to be 'invisible' you really have to be from woop woop and beyond.

It hurts a little to remember but, wow, what a thought it would be to have someone like Liam Jurrah arrive in the system and supports we have now.