Devon Smith reveals why he wanted to leave GWS for Essendon

DEVON Smith opens up on why he was determined to leave GWS for Essendon but hopes he hasn’t jeopardised the Bombers’ chances of securing Jake Stringer.

Devon Smith is now a Bomber. Picture: Phil Hillyard

DEVON Smith says he has arrived at Essendon to win the premiership that eluded him at Greater Western Sydney.

But the half-forward hopes he has not jeopardised Essendon’s Jake Stringer trade deal with the Western Bulldogs and is desperate to play with his former AFL academy roommate.

Smith, 24, told the Herald Sun he had put his hand up to play in this year’s semi-final and preliminary final despite knee problems.

When GWS overlooked him it was the final straw, and he became determined to get to another club where he could still push for a flag.

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Smith is not only a relentless ball winner, but has averaged five tackles a game throughout his career, behind only Matt De Boer for general forwards since 2012.

Smith said his plan had always been to play in a premiership at GWS, then likely move back to Victoria.

The former Lara and Geelong Falcons junior, who confirmed he had signed a four-year deal with Essendon, firmly believes the Bombers have the makings of a title-winning list.

“I didn’t get there with GWS,” he said.

“I missed out on two preliminary finals and the both those (opposition) teams went on to win it,’’ he said.

Essendon recruit Devon Smith shows off his new colours.

“You are always planning on success and playing in finals and Essendon’s goal is definitely to win it.

“I think they have young players who are pushing the older guys and just look at the spine with (Michael) Hurley, Joe Daniher, (Cale) Hooker — it’s pretty exciting.”

Smith had no idea how his trade was to be brokered, and was shocked when Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro told him to drop into the Bombers’ headquarters yesterday on his way to the Gold Coast.

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As it turned out the Bombers gave up pick No.11 and a 2018 future third-rounder but get back pick No.24 and receive a 2018 second-rounder.

Smith said he was blown away by Stringer’s talent and hoped they would get the opportunity to be teammates.

Devon Smith has moved from GWS to Essendon. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I just really wanted to get there, I didn’t really mind how they did it. I hope that doesn’t stuff up the Stringer and (Adam) Saad deals too much,’’ he said.

“It would be great to play with (Stringer) given what he has already done as a 22-year-old premiership player. Everyone is talking about the bad stuff they have heard and the rumours going around.

“By from what I have seen first-hand he’s a hard match-up and an unbelievable talent.

“I remember we played them in Canberra and about eight blokes tried to tackle him out of a stoppage and six didn’t lay a hand on him. He snapped a goal over his head.

“I thought, ‘Wowee, what a player’.”

Smith, a foundation GWS player, tore his lateral meniscus midyear and it flared again when he was tackled and fell on sprinkler head in Launceston during the Giants’ Round 16 game against Hawthorn.

Devon Smith goes toe-to-toe with Scott Thompson. Picture: Sarah Reed

He battled through the rest of the season and said he was disappointed to be overlooked for both finals when he believed he was fit.

“I felt I was ready to go and obviously I had missed two or three weeks of footy so you could see why I didn’t get picked,” he said.

“But it doesn’t make it any easier to watch. I had been doing pretty high loads on the AlterG (anti gravity treadmill) and cross-training to get up and I missed out.

“It was a strange way to finish. I didn’t really want it to end that way, but I thought it would be better for my footy and life to come home.”

“I can only speak for myself. Everyone at some stage wants to come home, whether they live in Sydney or on the Gold Coast.

“You don’t think about it as an 18-year-old but when you get a little bit older you do.”

Originally published as Devon Smith reveals why he wanted to leave GWS for Essendon