Unheralded Norths gem Alex Flanagan Smith first chosen in StoreLocal Hospital Cup round 2 team of the week

The next Australian Rugby 7s star may be hiding in plain sight — playing fullback for the Norths Eagles in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup. See who joins him in the round 2 Hospital Cup team of the week

Nick Tucker

2 min read

April 9, 2025 - 6:33PM

News Sport Network

Souths flanker Kohan Hertbert was an automatic inclusion in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup round 2 team of the week after his man of the match performance in a win against GPS. Picture credit: Erick Lucero/ QRU media.

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The next Australian Rugby 7s star may be hiding in plain sight — playing fullback for the Norths Eagles in the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.

Alex Flanagan Smith, 21, burst onto the StoreLocal Hospital Cup scene in 2024 after a titanic 12-month rise saw him swiftly elevated from Colts 2 (under-20s) into a starting role as fullback of the club’s premier team.

That promotion did not come as a surprise to those who noticed Smith’s raw but startling potential as a fresh new face at the Eagles nest.

“He’s a guy the Australian Sevens should be chomping at the bit to get into their program,” Norths coach Dan Ritchie praised.

“He’s got bucket loads of talent, speed and has an Australian Rules background so he brings a different skill set.”

Norths fullback bags hat-trick in StoreLocal Hospital Cup

Ritchie was happy as Larry when Smith decided to switch his allegiance from Australian Rules football to the 15-a-side code in 2023.

“His growth as a player and a young man in the last 12 months has been enormous,” Ritchie said.

Smith played in the QAFL competition for Wilston Grange after graduating Padua College in 2021 but the following year tried his hand at rugby, which he played with distinction during his time at school.

“We got him into our Sevens (Stannard Shield competition) squad at the end of his colts year (2023) and then brought him into the first grade squad that way,” Ritchie said.

“He just thrived being with the older boys, being challenged and tested.

“Every challenge we’ve set him he has just knocked it out of the park.”

In the club’s 71-19 demolition of University, Smith exploded with a first half hattrick and added a further 16 points from the boot on a muddy Hugh Courtney Oval. The conditions were heavy. His impact was electric.

Alex Flanagan Smith pictured playing AIC First XV rugby for Padua back in 2021.

The support lines, awareness and speed he displayed in the historic victory would translate perfectly onto the Sevens pitch where there is more room to rove and greater opportunity to excel in broken play.

“He has got elite acceleration, he’s got a long kick and his support lines are just right place, right time,” Ritchie lauded.

“A lot of that is instinct and probably that AFL 360 degree perception of space as well.”

Smith’s development has been stunning after going from a bounce to a breakdown. And he has more to give as the Eagles look to maintain the rage away against Souths in round three this Saturday.

“He has really invested in the tactical element of how we play. His growth and his maturity is exceptional,” Ritchie said.

“He is probably a guy that never really realised how talented he was.”

Brothers got their premiership defence off to a winning start on Saturday, defeating Sunnybank 55-31. Picture: Stephen Archer.

While Smith’s spine connection with halfback Connor O’Regan and halfback Harry Langbridge is building nicely, Norths were still missing one key piece who could take them to another level.

That player is Queensland Reds squad member Will McCulloch, a fullback currently injured.

“It would be great to have him and Will McCullloch available at the same time which I think has only happened once in the last two years,” said Ritchie.

See who joins fullback Flanagan Smith in the round 2 team of the week below.