Jump to content

The Josh Smillie Thread



Recommended Posts

I prefer Langford over Smillie, no doubt.  However some foreboding that Langford may be on the Eagles radar.  
If so and he’s gone, it’s then a choice of Smillie or Lalor, which I am more 50/50 on the choice.  

Smillie has excellent foot skills and can kick 50metres easily.  He wins the contested footy.  He can distribute.  All of these are demonstrated.  The challenge is his defensive skills. He has been so good at winning the footy through his junior years, the AFL challenge is how you manage against other stars and “defend the footy”.  Will he work hard without the ball.  That’s his unknown for me. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

He's got a lot going for him and really gets onto those kicks. I just don't buy into a lot of commentators saying he's a ready made AFL player, I don't know what it is because he has the size, maybe we'd just need to see him up against AFL sized bodies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


On 01/09/2024 at 16:55, Demon Dynasty said:

 

I’d kill for Smilie but hope seems lost as of right now — pick 2-4 seems the range for him now after a killer month, right when we landed pick 5 it was on cards but he’s dominated since and [censored] ahead of Langford, Reid.. Armstrong the one for me who now seems to sit right where we are in draft. Then a mid target if we get that other top 15 pick (14 the one we’re chasing atm)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 02/09/2024 at 01:15, John Demonic said:

He's a Facsmillie of Paddy Cripps?

MUCH better kick not even close in that area but has a similar look and attack on the footy for sure!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Tolstoys Nudge said:

MUCH better kick not even close in that area but has a similar look and attack on the footy for sure!

His talent is unquestionable. His grit and determination is the thing to assess. He’s dominated junior footy. His defensive side is the query.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

His talent is unquestionable. His grit and determination is the thing to assess. He’s dominated junior footy. His defensive side is the query.  

Yep — that can be developed where kicking is generally set bar 5-10% lifts in good programs 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Josh Smillie was probably in the top 3 most likely as the (available) number 1 pick for the 2024 draft … alongside Jagga Smith & Finn O’Sullivan.  At 194cms and an imposing midfielder, his ability to burst clear and kick it easily 50-55 metre was very appealing.  

He had an excellent year at Coates League level , with 12 games showing avg disposals 27, avg tackles 4, avg marks 5 and avg goals 1.33.   He’s was certainly impressive in 10 of the 12 being named either best or best 3 for Eastern.  

However, his star has waned as he under performed during the U18s national championships.  I think his defensive game was lacking as he battled against similar star midfielders and it showed that a dominant junior who wins the footy so much, does have it adjust given the competitive scenario against other talented players. 

No doubt in my mind that he is top 10 and will be seriously in JTs mind on draft night  

Interesting article from the Code sports

THE ‘BORN LEADER’ LEANING ON ADVICE FROM CRIPPS 

Big-bodied midfielder Josh Smillie has revealed he leant on advice from a two-time Brownlow Medal winner this year as he battled “some challenges” after entering the season as a highly-touted No. 1 draft pick contender.

Smillie met with Carlton star Patrick Cripps earlier in the year and made notes from the conversation, which he continually went back and reflected on. 

A 195cm onballer, the 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to Cripps and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green, two players who he watches closely. 

“I’d want to be half the player Patrick Cripps is now,” Smillie said.

“He’s the best player in the game at the moment. I really look up to those two (Cripps and Green) just because they’re big-bodied midfielders and I watch all the work that they do and try and implement it in my game.”

Smillie’s form was a little up and down at times this year, not helped by some minor injuries and illness.

He was required to spend significant time outside of the midfield during the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro, including roles in attack and defence.

“I’m very versatile so I can play any position and I grew up playing any position,” Smillie said.

“I can go forward or play across half back, but the midfield is my primarily position.

“The year’s done and you reflect on your year. You take out some negatives but you also want to look at the positives. If you said last year I’d be in the position I am now, I’d be pretty proud of this year so far.”

Smillie captained the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League this year as well as serving as skipper of the AFL Academy team in two exhibition matches earlier this season.

Alongside his power and ball-winning abilities, leadership is another key trait that he prides himself on.

“I was raised from my parents being a real leader and a careful person to others,” Smillie said.

“Leadership is something I take pretty seriously. I’m a very caring person that likes to put others before me and see them succeed. It’s just something I’ve grown up with and it just comes natural.”

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've dropped off him a little due to his poor second half of the year and lack lustre championship series against higher level peers. Perhaps he was carrying an injury of sorts as some players do after a long campaign.

Looked an absolute star in the making and top 3 lock at the start of the year. 

What I do like is his ability to hit targets by foot and lower his eyes out of stoppages. Sometimes gets too cute with it but looks to attack the game with his kicking.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

41 minutes ago, Nascent said:

I've dropped off him a little due to his poor second half of the year and lack lustre championship series against higher level peers. Perhaps he was carrying an injury of sorts as some players do after a long campaign.

Looked an absolute star in the making and top 3 lock at the start of the year. 

What I do like is his ability to hit targets by foot and lower his eyes out of stoppages. Sometimes gets too cute with it but looks to attack the game with his kicking.

Apparently was managing injury and illness at times through the year. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #22 Blake Howes

    After a bright start to the season, playing mostly in defence, Howes seemed to lose his way in midseason but fought back with some good performances at Casey and finished the year back at AFL level. One to watch in 2024. Date of Birth: 7 March 2003 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2024: 15 Career Total:  15 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total:  0 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #33 Tom Fullarton

    Originally an NBL basketballer with the Brisbane Bullets, he moved across town in 2019 to the AFL Lions where he played 19 games before crossing to Melbourne where he was expected to fill a role as a back up ruckman/key forward. Unfortunately, didn’t quite get there although he did finish equal sixth in Casey’s best and fairest award. Date of Birth: 23 February 1999 Height: 198cm Games CDFC: 14 Goals CDFL: 13

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #10 Angus Brayshaw

    Sadly, had to wrap up a great career in midstream on the back of multiple concussions which culminated in the Maynard hit in the 2023 Qualifying Final. His loss to the club was inestimable over and above his on field talent given his character and leadership qualities, all of which have been sorely missed. Date of Birth: 9 January 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 167 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 49

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 8

    2024 Player Reviews: #40 Taj Woewodin

    The son of former Demon Brownlow Medalist Shane, Taj added a further 16 games to his overall tally of games but a number were as substitute. He is slowly fitting into the team structure but without doing anything spectacular and needs to take further steps forward in 2025 for his career to progress. Date of Birth: 26 March 2003 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 16 Career Total: 20 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 3 Games CDFC 2024: 6 Goals CDFC 2024: 1

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #16 Bailey Laurie

    The clever small was unable to cement a place in the Melbourne midfield and spent most of his time this year with the Casey Demons where he finished equal fourth in its best & fairest. Date of Birth: 24 March 2002 Height: 179cm Games MFC 2024: 6 Career Total: 11 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total: 2 Games CDFC 2024: 12 Goals CDFC 2024: 7

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 23

    2024 Player Reviews: #17 Jake Bowey

    Bowey’s season was curtailed early when he sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery in the opening game against Sydney. As a consequence, he was never able to perform consistently or at anywhere near his previous levels.  Date of Birth: 12 September 2002 Height: 175cm Games MFC 2024: 14 Career Total: 61 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total: 6

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7

    SLIP SLIDING AWAY by Meggs

    It was a sweaty, slippery night at Cazalys Stadium, a tough slog with low scoring and missed opportunities.  The Hokball Hawks hung on to win by a goal and sit second on the ladder, relegating the disappointed Demons to, almost certainly, finals spectators.   We had to win this match. When news broke of late withdrawals of talisman Kate Hore and key back Gaby Colvin, expectations plummeted, and Demon fans despaired.  The bad news was the signature song of 2024, a season that’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons

    2024 Player Reviews: #27 Marty Hore

    The versatile defender who can play as a tall interceptor and also take on smaller opponents got his second chance this year but injuries prevented him from getting a regular place in the Melbourne team and managed to add only seven games to his AFL tally this year. Recently signed on for another year in 2025. Date of Birth: 5 March 1996 Height: 191cm Games MFC 2024: 7 Career Total: 20 Goals MFC 2024: 0 Career Total:  1 Games CDFC 2024: 7 Goals CDFC 2024: 0

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    THE HEAT IS ON by Meggs

    FNQ will be hot and sultry this Thursday night when the mighty Demons take on the highflying Hawks at up there Cazalys Stadium in Cairns.   The Demons once again rebrand for Indigenous Round as ‘Narrm’, the Woi Wurrung name for Melbourne in the language of the traditional owners.   Narrm has surged back up the ladder and sits just outside the eight on percentage with 5 wins. Our opponents Hawthorn sit second with 8 wins and have been become really offensive.  

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    AFLW Melbourne Demons 1
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...