Injury forces Sydney Swan Nick Smith to call time on 211-game career
Gun Sydney defender Nick Smith has joined the growing number of 2012 premiership players in retirement, the 211-game star succumbing to the horror hamstring injury he suffered last year.
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Another key pillar of the Sydney Swans’ 2012 premiership-winning side has decided to hang up the boots, with tenacious defender Nick Smith forced into retirement by injury.
Smith joins Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy in retirement this year, with Kieren Jack expected to follow by the end of the season.
It marks an abrupt end of an era at the Swans, with so many champions exiting the stage at once.
Smith’s retirement is a sad one, just 31 years of age but unable to return from a horrific hamstring injury which he tore off the bone last year.
The All-Australian underwent surgery a couple of months ago in a desperate bid to play again, his third operation in a year.
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But the hamstring hasn’t shown enough sign of repair, and Smith has selflessly opted to call time on his career and allow the Swans to focus on bringing through younger players.
Smith ranks as one of the most underrated footballers in the competition, but was absolutely vital to the Swans’ decade of dominance.
His combination in the defensive line with Heath Grundy and Ted Richards was one of the most feared in the AFL.
Smith was paid perhaps the greatest honour by coach John Longmire when he declared the unassuming star epitomised the spirit of the Sydney Swans better than anyone else.
The lockdown defender excelled the tougher his opponent, and he was a nemesis for opposition stars like Eddie Betts and Robbie Gray.
Smith retires as a 200-game, one-club player but hasn’t played a match since round 21 last year.
Originally published as Injury forces Sydney Swan Nick Smith to call time on 211-game career
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