Every injury creates an opportunity for someone else and that is precisely the case for Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith, who has been forced to wait patiently in the reserves for much of 2015 as Tom Nicholls has led the ruck department.
 
The 25-year-old has endured a frustrating season at Metricon Stadium, falling behind Nicholls in the pecking order despite strong performances in the NEAFL. But, with Nicholls suffering a knee injury that all but draws his season to a close, Smith returns to the senior side in form and with three games ahead of him.
 
Injury free for the first time in a couple of seasons, Smith has managed only eight senior appearances under Rodney Eade, with the new coach electing to play just one specialist ruckman for the bulk of the season.
 
“It’s a bit unfortunate for Zac, it’s a broken record but probably Tom – not probably, Tom has been in front of him as a ruckman when he’s played,” Eade told reporters at a press conference on Friday morning.
 
“We’ve tried to play the two of them at times, but it hasn’t really worked because neither of them really play forward.
 
“Zac’s form in the NEAFL has been fantastic, his attitude’s been great, so we expect him to play really well the next three weeks.”
 
Smith has complied a large body of work in the reserves across the duration of the NEAFL season, and comes into the contest against Essendon in form having accounted for Sydney listed pair Toby Nankervis and Tom Derickx last Friday.
 
A complimentary Eade was full of praise for the Queensland product, suggesting that Smith deserved another opportunity weeks ago, the dilemma was how to fit him in given the health of the talls and the form of Nicholls.
 
“He’s certainly deserved his chance – he deserved his chance three or four weeks ago. But unfortunately we just couldn’t (fit him in). Except for Charlie, we haven’t had any injuries to our big men – now Tom as well,” Eade said.
 
“He gets his opportunity, but certainly from our point of view we rate him really highly and certainly hoping forward he’s in competition with Tom so I think it’s a healthy position to be in.”