AFL 2024: Retired Geelong and Hawthont great Isaac Smith opens up on retirement and Cats’ fortunes

Isaac Smith achieved career-best numbers in his final game. He sheds light on his decision to call time and gives the inside word on how Geelong will fare in 2024.

Retired four-time premiership star Isaac Smith is bullish on Geelong’s 2024 prospects, saying his former side should return to the finals granted their list stays healthy.

Smith said that the Cats battled with injuries in the wake of their 2022 grand final win where the 280-game Hawk and Cat was best-on-ground, winning the Norm Smith Medal with 32 disposals and three goals.

The 35-year-old quipped that “no-one” can replace him on the wing but said he felt veteran Zach Tuohy and versatile utilities Mark Blicavs and Mitch Duncan could be used in the role.

Smith went out on top with an eye-catching final game last year, tallying 36 disposals and 27 kicks – both career highs – against the Western Bulldogs in round 24.

He believes Geelong’s opening round clash against St Kilda will give a strong indication of where the Cats are at in 2024.

Isaac Smith is clapped off the ground after his final AFL game. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think if their best 10-15 players stay fit, they should be playing finals. They’re are as good as any players in the competition. They get nine home games at GMHBA Stadium and they always pick up a few wins on the road. So I’m very bullish on the Cats this year.” Smith said.

They’ve had a really good summer, we had a very much interrupted, disrupted summer last year. There was a lot of injuries and a lot of stuff coming out of that premiership win so it’s exciting to see that they’ve had a full summer.

“I know a couple of young guys in (Tyson) Stengle and (Sam) De Koning copped big injuries last year and that knocked their confidence around so I’m really looking forward to see how they bounce back. But they’ve certainly got a team if they can keep their best sort of 14-15 players out there that can challenge if luck goes their way.

“I think they’re quietly confident. But every team bar maybe a couple go into round one pretty confident thinking they’ve had a very good summer and you have no idea how you’re going to go until you put yourself up against measuring sticks and St Kilda is going to be a good one this Saturday night.

“Defensively Ross Lyon coached teams are as good as you get at AFL level. I’m not sure how their offence will go, but it’s going to be an exciting match. Their pre-season games have been really good, Geelong, and if they can continue that form, who knows.”

Smith conceded he lost the competitive edge to keep playing at the highest level.

“Definitely could have got around again,” he chuckled.

“Physically I was fine I just, if you spoke to a lot of elite sports people once you lose that edge, it’s a slippery slope from there and last year I sort of lost that will to be at the absolute top.

“With a young family I had different priorities popping up and I had a fantastic time in the game. I had a very successful career and the timing was right.”

Entering into the ‘Carlton Draft’, an initiative where local clubs can pick up former AFL star for a game, Smith was unsure where he would end up – or whether he would land at a local Geelong club.

Isaac Smith has announced a Geelong’s partnership renewal with Carlton & United Breweries. Picture: Mark Wilson

Back at GMHBA Stadium for Geelong’s renewal of their five-year partnership with Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) for a further five years, Smith said he was looking forward to getting back into community footy.

“There’s some great names being involved and it’ll be awesome fun and I think the record is eight goals from anyone that’s been in the ‘Carlton Drafts’, so I’m going for nine,” Smith said with a laugh.

“CUB have been a great supporter of footy for a long time and they’ve been at the Geelong footy ground forever and a day and they’ve extended for another five years, which is awesome, for the punter, it’s also awesome for the footy club and it’s great for CUB so it’s an exciting partnership.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Retired Geelong and Hawthont great Isaac Smith opens up on retirement and Cats’ fortunes