How the loss of laser leg Brodie Smith will impact the Crows’ flag hopes

THE loss of laser leg and kick-in specialist Brodie Smith is significant and changes the dynamics for the Crows in the preliminary final against Geelong. HEAR THE LAST WORD ON THE GAME HERE

HE’S the right-footed laser leg who covers more territory with his kick than any other player in the AFL.

He also happens to be the Adelaide Crows’ kick-in specialist.

Rebounding half-back flanker Brodie Smith – an All-Australian in 2014 and one of Adelaide’s best players in the second half of this year after improving his defence – has missed just four of the Crows’ past 111 games.

So his absence from tonight’s preliminary final against Geelong changes the dynamics for Adelaide.

“It will have an effect, there’s no doubt about that,’’ dual Crows premiership defender Ben Hart said.

“His right leg is a wonderful weapon for Adelaide and because of their game style, with their ability to cause turnovers and then go long straight away, Smith is really important to that.

“The Crows won’t want to change the way they play, so they are going to have to find someone to step up into Smith's role, whether it's a David Mackay or a Paul Seedsman.

“The thing with half-backs these days is that they play like an extra midfielder and can become crucial stoppage players as well because of their ability to sit at the back of a stoppage, get the handball receive and then run and kick long to gain metres.

“Mackay, Seedsman, who likes to receive the ball, run into space and kick long, and even (veteran utility) Richard Douglas could be used in that role. The Crows need to find it (Smith’s replacement) from them.’’

Smith, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the first quarter of Adelaide’s six-goal qualifying final win against GWS and required a knee reconstruction, averages a healthy 36.5 metres with every kick – the best average in the league.

Giants rebounding defender Nathan Wilson (35.8), Melbourne’s speedy Jayden Hunt (34.9), Sydney goalkicking machine Lance Franklin (34.7) and North Melbourne midfielder Shaun Higgins (34.2) round out the top five.

Brodie Smith after suffering his injury a fortnight ago. Picture:
Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

At the Crows, Smith, who has bagged 12 goals as a backman this season, leads wingman Rory Atkins (32.3), dashing Charlie Cameron (31.5), Mackay (31.1) and forward Josh Jenkins (30.0).

Of Adelaide’s other regular defenders, Smith’s playmaking sidekick Rory Laird, who will play his 100th game against the Cats, ranks second with a kicking average of 28.3 metres.

Significantly, Smith also is the Crows’ king of kick-ins.

He has taken 22 more than any other player this year, with 77 – the 15th-most in the AFL – and often gains more territory for his team by kicking to himself before powering the ball forward.

This has helped Adelaide rank No. 1 in the competition in getting the ball into their forward half (26 per cent) and forward 50 (14.3 per cent) from a kick-in, where dangerous forwards Jenkins, Taylor Walker, Eddie Betts and Tom Lynch loom large.

Small back pocket Luke Brown, who turns 25 today and is nicknamed “The Glove’’ by teammates for his ability to shut down opponents, ranks second at Adelaide for kick-ins with 55.

Then it is a long way back to intercept specialist Jake Lever (18), Laird (17) and the close-checking Jake Kelly (nine).

“Brodie is an unbelievable kick who usually chooses the right option with his kick-ins, so the Crows will have to find someone to step up there too,’’ Hart said.

“Brown will do the majority of the kick-ins, I would imagine, because he’s been reliable but Smith’s absence certainly does rob the team of a weapon.’’

While Adelaide will be forced to change things up, Geelong’s kick-ins are set in stone.

Former Blue Zach Tuohy is their specialist kicker, recording the third-most kick-ins this season, with 145 – behind only West Coast’s Shannon Hurn (173) and Brisbane’s Daniel Rich (145).
[e-mail]