Nick Smith

[hudsta]

Ok .......prediction time. What will he do against Geelong?

Laidlaw first game was against Geelong last year and he was pretty quiet. From what i have seen of Roos coaching he will be used sparingly.

Will he get another game the following week?

[Triple B]

Laidlaw first game was against Geelong last year and he was pretty quiet.

Laidlaw was miles ahead of where Smith is now when he made his debut last year. Miles ahead.

[TheMase]

They will be giving guys like Smith a game this year to see if they are worth keeping next season ....

[hudsta]

well Nick Smith getting a run does seem out of left field

[TheMase]

well Nick Smith getting a run does seem out of left field

Is it really though? He has been emergency for the past couple of games.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I can't see the logic in this selection, if it eventuates. Are we tanking already? Seems ridiculous to debut a light kid against the hard, experienced bodies of last year's premiers.

[BSA5]

I can't see the logic in this selection, if it eventuates. Are we tanking already? Seems ridiculous to debut a light kid against the hard, experienced bodies of last year's premiers.

Surprise factor? Maybe, like B2 or Leo, he plays above his weight division? I don't know. Time will tell.

[liz]

Agree with BBB's comments, but I'd add that his best attribute is his footy smarts / decision making. He doesn't have a bag of fancy tricks (though I've seen him execute a nice baulk and sidestep on a number of occasions) but he invariably uses the ball to good effect.

He is also pretty courageous, considering his build. You rarely see him take a backward step.

[Ludwig]

Maybe there is a plan to match him up against Joel Selwood, as they are both the same age and from the same draft year. Even possible that they could have played on each other before. Maybe Nick said "I can take him!"

I can easily see that he could be Hall's replacement ahead of Davis. Despite that miracle 4th Qtr., Geelong is not a team Davis should do well against. Going up against Harley and Hunt is a bit too physical for Davo's best game.

I still haven't heard why some are so sure this is the change for the game.

[Robbo]

I have never seen him play before but I'm guessing he's quick?

Would be the most logical reason to bring him in for a game against the Cats who have a lot of pace.

[liz]

I have never seen him play before but I'm guessing he's quick?

Would be the most logical reason to bring him in for a game against the Cats who have a lot of pace.

Not especially.

I don't think Geelong are one of the quickest teams going around in terms of footspeed. They just move the ball quickly.

[Cheese]

He can do the freakish and is an all rounder. i think he will suprise a few on here, confidence is his only problem. hopefully he can do a cheese & play knowing he belongs, very good on both left & right.

[Triple B]

......confidence is his only problem.......

Cheese, don't get me wrong, I like him, just not confident he is ready just yet and if he is not confident then there's not much confidence all round

As for his speed, Liz is on the money. He's no speedster, but he has quick hands and looks like he has a quick footy brain, just not super quick leg speed.

[connolly]

No reason to believe Davis won't come in as well as Smith. Roos has said he would give 4-5 rounds for certain players to improve their disposal. Bevan hasn't done that. Drop him for Smith, Brennan for White, and Hall for Davis.

So you would replace a strong bodied defensive utility with a tiny tot in his first game against the hard, fast and strong mid types who have smashed all and sundry. Very droll. Smith will play on the half forward line and be expected to run down Wojcinski and co. Davis? Nup

[bandwagon]

Yours is a magnificent obsession Connolly!

It is Smith's second year on the rookie list isn't it? Not much point in that unless you are going to give him a go at some point.