Despite a promising NAB Cup campaign and a solid summer of training under the tutelage of ruck mentor and assistant coach Matthew Primus, Smith has struggled to find form in the opening rounds of the premiership season and has started the last two games on the interchange while in-form Charlie Dixon holds down the elusive no. 1 ruckman position in the centre circle.
“It’s been up and down I suppose, as I’m still trying to find that consistency at the moment,” said Smith.
“It’s tough because you know during the game the mistakes you make and you have to wait until Monday for the Game Review until you can address it with your coach,” said Smith.
“It’s not a good place to be in but the beauty of footy is there’s always next week so you have to move on and build yourself up again.”
Smith believes an increase in work-rate and intensity will see the 206cm giant regain the form he showed in 2011 when he took the AFL by storm and earned a Rising Star nomination and representative honours in the International Rules series.
“I need to spread around the ground more, follow it up in the air and crash a few packs... I missed a few opportunities on the weekend where I could of done that so I’ll have to fix those things up but I’m pretty confident I can do that,” Smith said.
With a healthy stock of tall key position players waiting impatiently for their opportunity to taste senior footy, Smith admits he’s weary that competition for spots are starting to heat up.
“Tom (Lynch) had a good game on the weekend and I’m sure he’s in contention for a spot this week,” Smith said.
“There’s always doubt in the back of your head when other tall players have a good game… but I definitely want that chance this weekend against GWS to prove myself and show why I belong there.”
