SFNL: Ex-Cat and Blue Billie Smedts has sunk Springvale Districts with an enchanting final

Billie Smedts was intent on having a say in the final moments of Sunday’s elimination final and he delivered with a clutch last-gasp final kick. He relives the tense finish.

Port Melbourne ColtsÕ Billie Smedts during the SFNL Port Melbourne Colts v St Paul's McKinnon football match in Port Melbourne, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. Picture: Andy Brownbill

It was third time lucky for Billie Smedts.

The ex-AFL Cat and Blue, now Port Melbourne Colt, was intent on having a say in the final stages of Sunday’s Division 1 elimination final against Springvale Districts.

Adding to his pile of possessions, Smedts had three touches in the final minutes.

But of those three kicks, only one went to plan.

Smedts’ first two were rushed out of congestion and both sailed over the boundary on the full.

His third, however – the most important and now most memorable – was a nonchalant yet sensational strike deep in the forward pocket on the cusp of full time.

It sailed through and sent the Colts to extra time.

Smedts recalled the dying stages and how he found himself with the game on his boot.

“I had a couple quick kicks out of stoppages and put the ball out on the full, so the ball wasn’t really coming off my boot that well at that stage of the game,” he joked.

“I found myself in the right position at the right time, 20, 30 seconds left, found a bit of space.

“Once it sort of hit the boot, it didn’t really look like missing, I think I celebrated pretty quickly when it come off.”

Billie Smedts was at his damaging best on Sunday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A modest Smedts said the kick itself was just the final product to hard work from the entire side after they conceded five of the first six goals of the game.

“It wasn’t that moment that got us in that position though, a few of our younger players, Jordy Maloney in defence, he had some big moments,” he said.

“It wasn’t the moment, it was a number of moments from a few that got us into the game and gave us a chance to win.

“I think it’s credit to the senior players, the whole 18 on the field, because everyone did their role – they didn’t try to do too much.”

After trailing by four goals at the first change, Colts playing-coach Josh Caddy urged composure. Picture : George Sal

The Colts, who many believed destined to struggle on the wide ground at Linton St, now advance to take on Dingley in another loser-out final.

Smedts’ said the perception the Colts can’t play on bigger grounds has been “fair” in the past but it’s in the motion of being repaired.

“Well, that’s probably a fair perception – we have been opened and exposed on bigger grounds,” he said.

“But the last three weeks we have actually been training at the VFL ground, down at the Borough.

“I think that really held us in good stead on the weekend on the bigger ground, we have been training on bigger grounds and we’re feeling a bit more comfortable.

“We played some pretty good footy on the bigger deck, so I don’t think too much will change, we will get on the Borough’s deck this week.”

The Colts kicked two extra-time goals, both coming from lively forward Eren Soylemez, who along with Smedts, was named in the Colts’ best.

Justin Taylor, Nathan Spinks, Chris De Luca, Mitch Clarke, Jake Wood and Louis Corless were also among the Colts’ best.

For the Demons, Shakore Bragg-Taylor, Darcy Warke, Daniel Spence, Cory Hutchison, Nick Gay and John Walker were all top performers.