EFL: Tim Smith joins South Belgrave
Former Melbourne forward Tim Smith is returning to the league where he was a premiership player in 2010 following his recent retirement from the AFL.
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South Belgrave has won the race for former Melbourne forward Tim Smith.
The recently retired AFL player inked a deal with the Saints on Tuesday night after he was chased by a number of EFL clubs.
Smith turned down an offer to return to junior club Upper Ferntree Gully, where he was a premiership player in 2010 alongside current South Belgrave coach Luke Galliott.
Where will ex-Melbourne and Casey forward Tim ‘Bull’ Smith play next year? Noble Park missed out and now he’s being linked with South Belgrave. He’ll dominate - and pull in crowds - wherever he goes.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) October 22, 2019
Noble Park was another club attempting to secure his services.
South Belgrave boasted three of the top five leading goalkickers this year as it went through the season undefeated to claim the Division 3 premiership, and Smith’s arrival will only boost its chances of challenging the top sides in the third tier in 2020.
He kept fans entertained with a catalogue of high marks in his five seasons in the VFL before he was drafted.
Galliott said his friendship with Smith, the opportunity to play alongside brother Mike and other connections at the club helped seal the 28-year-old’s signature.
“I just think we sold the club well to be honest, for what the club has achieved over the last 12 months but that was just the start of what we’re trying to do,” Galliott said.
“There was three or four major things, to be honest, that ticked all his boxes.
“A week ago, he was probably telling people there was no way he was playing with us because of the division but thankfully the other things outweighed that in the end and the opportunity to get us out of that division I guess.”
Smith was recruited to Melbourne as a rookie in 2016 after a season that produced state honours, a VFL Team of the Year gong and a grand final appearance.
He made 13 AFL appearances across three seasons, including seven this year, but his time in the red and blue was interrupted by a string of injuries.
It was announced in September he would be hang up the boots, but he will commit to South Belgrave in 2020.
The Saints have also added Ryan Silver, Darcy Wilson, Daniel Beyer and Luke Wakefield.
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The quartet played at West Gippsland club Dalyston this year and Galliott has ties to the four players from his time at Upper Gully.
“We’ve kept the list together, bar Jack Brettoner, who’s gone to Officer,” Galliott said.
“Other than that, the premiership 22 will all be going around again.
“We’re in good stead and adding a few more on, plus Tim, we’re going to be better.”
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