Sydney’s Nick Smith often goes unnoticed but he has a habit of making opponents disappear

FEW players fly as low under the radar as Nick Smith.His first 199 games have been almost invisible to the casual observer but in the process he has made his opponents disappear as well.

Nick Smith is an underrated star. Picture. Phil Hillyard

FEW quality players fly as low under the radar as Nick Smith.

The Swans defender brings up his 200th game on Saturday night but has been almost invisible to the casual observer. In the process he has made his opponents disappear as well.

The 29-year-old has taken on and beaten the best small forwards of the modern era, including Eddie Betts, Stephen Milne and his old Scotch College school mate Cyril Rioli.

Swans premiership hero Leo Barry said Smith makes life easy for John Longmire and will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Saturday night’s clash with Fremantle at the SCG.

“He’s very rarely beaten,” Barry told the Daily Telegraph.

“He’s taken the role Jared Crouch took before him. He’s probably not as big a pest as Crouchy but his ability to shut down players like Eddie Betts and Stephen Milne and Michael Walters is priceless. Those guys can be as damaging as the key forwards.”

One-time Bachelor of the Year finalist Nick Smith strikes a pose ahead of game 200. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Rarely described as an extrovert, Smith stepped out of the shadows and out of character in 2014 to enter the Cleo Bachelor of the Year competition, like most things he does he was a quiet success, making the shortlist of finalists.

It was a good year for the unassuming defender who also picked up All Australian selection in 2014. He conceded just four free kicks from his 23 matches that season which included the grand final.

It’s an efficiency Barry remembers from the time he made his senior debut after being elevated from the rookie list in 2008.

“He would be one of the most reliable players the Swans have had,” Barry said

“He epitomises the willingness to learn and the way all those rookie listed players give themselves the best chance of making it.”

Swan Nick Smith has been a go-to man for his club’s big defensive jobs. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Despite Smith’s mild mannered exterior there is a strong side which is revealed only to teammates behind closed doors.

“He is still prepared to speak his mind,” Barry said.

“He’s been in the leadership group for quite a while and that’s not for the faint hearted. Even in the early days he gave direct feedback to his team mates and that’s not easy. He’s probably one of the most respected players in the team.”

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