Dashing Crows defender Brodie Smith hopes the ‘running gag’ might finally be over as he zeros in on midfield role
Adelaide Crows jet Brodie Smith is hopeful the ‘running gag’ might finally be over as he zeros in on a midfield role at West Lakes.
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The ‘running gag’ might finally be over for Crows speedster Brodie Smith.
After spending most of his 167 games stationed at half-back, Smith is hoping his long-held dream of playing in the Adelaide midfield will be realised this season following a standout on-ball display against Gold Coast in the Marsh Community Series.
“It’s been a running gag since I’ve been here, that I train in the midfield in the pre-season and then get pushed back to half-back in round one,’’ he said.
“I’ve always wanted to be a midfielder, so I’d be really happy if I can stay there.
“I haven’t spoken to ‘Nicksy’ (senior coach Matthew Nicks) or ‘Goddsy’ (midfield coach Michael Godden) yet about what it’s going to look like for round one but I’ve done all the training there, played there last week and hopefully was able to push my case to stay there.
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“Guys like Wayne (Milera) and ‘Laird’ (Rory Laird) are playing really well across half-back, so hopefully I can stay in that midfield role.’’
Smith, 28, earned All-Australian honours as a rebounding defender in 2014 but played much of the second half of last season on ball.
Now he wants a midfield spot full-time and he virtually guaranteed it with a best-afield 34-disposal, nine-mark, five-clearance, one-goal performance in the seven-point loss to Gold Coast.
He had a game-high 633 metres gained and earned high praise from Nicks.
“I thought Smith was outstanding in the stuff we’ve worked on,” Nicks said.
“He didn’t miss a beat. The way we’re trying to play suits his game.
“I thought he was a standout for us in the game and a real positive.”
The rebuilding Crows have changed their midfield mix, trying to find more spark and running power through players like Smith, who against the Suns often lined up on the wing before running into the middle, and Paul Seedsman, who also was strong.
New captain Rory Sloane and the Crouch brothers, Brad and Matt, had previously dominated the centre square set-up.
“It was good to go into the game knowing I was going to play that full-time midfield role,’’ said Smith, who represented the All-Stars in last month’s Bushfire Relief match against Victoria.
“We’ve got (more) balance this year where we can roll through the wing and the midfield, we’ve got that licence to change it whenever we like.
“Our midfield mix, trying to get a bit more speed through there, has changed. We want to be more attacking and attack off turnover.
“Being in the midfield you are able to get first crack at the ball, which is a good start, and have a bit more freedom with your transition and where you run.
“Being a defender you’ve also got your forwards to worry about and different patterns you have to run.
“I like the midfield patterns, being able to push up and down the ground, and push hard forward as well and trying to get on the end of a couple, which I enjoy doing.’’
Smith said he had worked hard at his “stoppage craft’’ over summer and noticed the benefits when he was opposed to former Crows teammate, the strong-bodied Hugh Greenwood, against Gold Coast.
“There’s still a lot of learnings for me but hopefully as the year goes on I can get better and better in that area,’’ he said.
Originally published as Dashing Crows defender Brodie Smith hopes the ‘running gag’ might finally be over as he zeros in on midfield role
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