George Horlin Smith becomes a Tiger, signing on to play with his best mate

Albury has landed a former AFL midfielder as its newest headline recruit with a friendship forged during lockdown the major factor.

A bond formed during the Covid pandemic has landed the Albury Tigers a former AFL player who will boost their premiership hopes.

The Ovens and Murray league club have signed former Geelong and Gold Coast Suns midfielder George Horlin-Smith.

Smith played 72 games in his AFL career from 2010-20.

While playing for the Suns he became best mates with current Albury coach and former Suns teammate Anthony Miles.

Miles said it was easy to convince Horlin Smith to make the move.

Anthony Miles and George Horlin-Smith in their Gold Coast Suns days, which saw the duo become best mates. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“We’re pretty close mates when we were up there,” he said.

“We had the Covid season in our second year up there some had to train in pairs.

“George and I trained together for the four of five month period where the AFL was in lockdown.

“He hasn’t played for a little, he’s concentrated on his work since he retired.

“He was keen to have a kick and it has worked well for us.”

Miles said Horlin-Smith will be available for the majority of the season but it depends on his work in Sydney.

The Tigers coach added Horlin-Smith will be used in multiple areas of the ground.

“He’ll predominantly play through the midfield,” Miles said.

“He enjoys running, he’s kept really fit since his retirement.

“He’ll also pinch hit forward as well I’d say.

“But it’s more just the leadership and being able to throw him around (to lead), we’ve got a young list.”

George Horlin-Smith played 72 games in the AFL during his career. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Injuries late in 2022, including a broken foot to the playing coach, hurt the Tigers’ as they were eliminated in straight sets.

The team will have to overcome the loss of Miles for a large part of the season as he recovers from his injury.

Miles revealed he won’t be playing in round one.

“I still don’t have a time frame on when I will return, hopefully it is sooner rather than later,” he said.

“I’m still got some hardware in there, in my foot, so once that comes out I’ll have a clearer picture on return dates.

“It will be more likely the back of the year.”

With or without him the Tigers are right among the top contenders.

“We’re in it to win premierships and I’m sure every side is the same,” he said.

“We’re putting no expectations on the year and just continue to improve.”

The new season for Albury starts on April 9