Mark Bickley: It’s going to be tough, but the Adelaide Crows have options to replace running defender Brodie Smith

BRODIE Smith is one of Adelaide’s most important players and covering his injury absence is going to be challenging, writes Mark Bickley.

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FORGET replacing Jake Lever or Charlie Cameron, the Adelaide Football Club has a much bigger problem – how to replace injured defender Brodie Smith.

Smith ruptured his ACL in the Crows first final last year and is unlikely to play at all in season 2018.

While described as a defender, he is anything but. Arguably Smith is the Crows most attacking player. In a game often decided by field position and territory, Smith is the standout metres-gained player for Adelaide.

In fact he’s in the top handful in the competition, with his run and carry from half-back turning many of his defensive 50 rebounds into forward 50 entries.

This is just one part of his importance to Adelaide’s attack. His biggest weapon is his kick. Not just the length but the precision. He takes kicks, particularly through the middle of the ground, that few attempt because if you get it wrong you get hurt on the turnover.

Richard Douglas has worked hard with the defensive group and could be a replacement for Brodie Smith off half-back

Richard Douglas has spent time in the last 18 months working with the defensive group at training. Flagging the desire of coach Don Pyke to use his sound kicking and decision-making along with his run to add to his back half options, that may prove to be a wise investment.

Wayne Milera although in only his third season has already shown glimpses of coolness that have good judges comparing him to a young Shaun Burgoyne. Milera has recorded an elite kick rating in his first two seasons underlining his potential. Although an interrupted pre-season may cost him in the early part of the year, he will get an opportunity when his body is sound.

David Mackay will fill some of the void with his run and carry game, but lacks the kicking penetration to be a one-for-one replacement.

Tom Doedee is almost a physical replica of Smith at 188cm and 88kg, but that is where the comparisons end. Doedee’s strength is his intercept marking and spoiling, not his attacking play, he looks more likely to become the long term replacement for Jake Lever.

There is one player that has all the traits of Brodie Smith and potentially could step straight in. Paul Seedsman.

Seedsman is the same age, the same size, about a kilo lighter and one of not many who can kick the ball as well as Smith.

Having played across half-back already for Adelaide and also with his former club Collingwood, he has the capability to fill the role. He reads the game well and can get on the end of it and kick long range goals like Smith.

Recruit Sam Gibson looks like the ready-made replacement for Seedsman on the wing, causing minimal disruption to the side.

Seedsman is entering his eighth AFL season in a career that has often been sabotaged by injury. So there is a touch of irony that someone else’s injury misfortune could provide the springboard that sees Seedsman finally reach the heights that many predicted after a promising start to his AFL career.

Josh Jenkins tries to break the tackle of Steven Motlop in last year’s preliminary final. Picture: Michael Klein

HAPPY HUNTING GROUND FOR JENKINS

JOSH Jenkins has created a lot of discussion in recent times after a much-publicised below-par grand final and a less-than-inspiring pre-season.

But Crows fans can take heart in the fact the Round 1 clash against the Bombers is at Etihad Stadium, and Jenkins is somewhat of an Etihad specialist.

He’s kicked 38 goals in his 12 appearances at the ground, with an average of 3.2 goals per game.

This makes him by far the most productive Crow, ahead of Taylor Walker 2.2 goals per game and Eddie Betts with a modest 1.4 goals per match.

Essendon’s Joe Daniher averages 1.9 goals per match on his home deck and West Coast goalkicking machine Josh Kennedy a respectable 2.4 goals per game.

Sydney superstar Buddy Franklin is one who does have Jenkins covered, kicking 131 goals from his 38 games at the venue at an average of 3.4 goals per match.

So while Jenkins may not have great recent form, he will run out on Friday night to a happy hunting ground.

For the record the last time the Crows played at Etihad Stadium was against Essendon, Round 21 last year and they were comfortable victors by 43 points with Jenkins kicking, you guessed it, 3.2.