Geelong Cats: Isaac Smith began to seriously ponder retirement while in the team bus on the way to a game at the SCG
It was on the team bus heading to the SCG in late June when four-time premiership Hawk and Cat Isaac Smith seriously began to think about retiring.
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It was on the team bus heading to a game in Sydney in late June when four-time premiership player Isaac Smith had a “bit of a moment” and began to seriously consider retirement.
Smith, 34, who called time on his 277-game career on Monday afternoon after meeting with Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking and list manager Andrew Mackie, said there were several factors in his decision: realising it was a “young man’s game” and a few injuries getting the better of him.
The self-confessed club “pest”, who prided himself on giving senior coach Chris Scott some stick, said he tried to place himself in the shoes of an older mentor and what they would advise him to do.
“I feel like the club’s got decisions to make over the next two or three years with the list,” Smith said at Kardinia Park on Thursday morning.
“I could make the decision easier for them.
“I’ve had an unbelievable career … I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
However, sitting next to the four AFL premiership cups he helped win across stints at both Hawthorn and Geelong, Smith said it was before a round 16 match against Sydney when the thoughts of retirement began to crystallise.
“I’m not sure if I should be sharing this because we’ve got a couple of games left,” Smith said with that trademark grin.
“We were driving to a game in Sydney and there’s a pub in Paddington called the Light Brigade.
“I saw a few people in there having fun and I thought: ‘I wouldn’t mind doing that myself’.
“That was probably a bit of a moment.”
After that meeting with Hocking and Mackie on Monday, Smith immediately went to coach Chris Scott’s office to deliver the news.
“I think he was a little bit shocked,” Smith said.
“It was quite nice to get that reaction rather than: ‘About time, mate, we’ve been trying to figure out how to get you out’
“We shared a nice moment, it’s something I will treasure.”
Sitting beside Smith on Thursday morning, Scott said he had followed the rangy left-footer’s career closely ever since he was installed as Cats coach in late 2010.
One of his first jobs was to visit Smith in Ballarat with recruiter Stephen Wells.
And Smith would answer the door in bare feet, Scott recalled.
“That was symbolic of the approach Isaac’s taken to his footy,” Scott said, admitting it was “painful” to watch Smith’s career flourish after coming so close to acquiring his services.
“My view is he could have played on (in 2024).”
However, Scott said there was a “bit of symmetry” with the Cats eventually getting their man at the end of 2020.
Seeing Smith as the kind of player who would leave a legacy at two AFL clubs, Scott said the 2022 Norm Smith medallist could be highly competitive and ruthless, yet still maintain a “relaxed, authentic” persona.
“He’s never lost that,” he said.
“He walks in with a smile on his face, makes a joke about the coach, which only he can get away with.
“Going well or not, it’s hard to wipe the smile off his face.”
Smith said close friends and family had also been shocked by his call: “I thought: ‘Sh*t, did I make the right decision?’
“My wife and I were pretty content where it was all at.
“It was kind of nice that it came as a shock to a few people because it meant I can walk out the door and not getting pushed out the door.
“That’s one thing I’ve always wanted to do.
“They’ll have to be somebody else around the club to take the mickey out of Scotty, I enjoy doing that.”
However, he knew deep down it was the right thing to walk away while still performing at a high level.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better three years, it’s been challenging, I’ve learned a hell of a lot,” he said.
“Hopefully I can take that into my next phase of life.
“Even though footy can be extremely challenging … I’ve always tried to do it with a smile on my face.
“Happy, anxious, scared, excited, angry, I’ve tried to always put a smile on my face and always be true to myself.”
Smith said he would let the dust settle first before making a call on his next career move.
“To be honest, I’m very excited about what lies ahead,” he said.
“I know within myself it’s certainly the right decision. To go out playing football that’s still good enough at AFL level.
“That excites me and that makes me pretty happy.”
Isaac Smith calls time on AFL career
Norm Smith medallist Isaac Smith will call time on his illustrious AFL career at the end of the 2023 season.
Smith, who has won four premierships during his career at Hawthorn and Geelong, will hang the boots up after the Cats’ finals campaign.
He said his career had been a dream.
“I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play AFL football, it is every kids’ dream growing up and to have that play out for me across the last 13 seasons at two great clubs is something really special,” he said.
Four-time premiership Hawk and Cat Isaac Smith will retire at the end of the 2023 campaign #afl#wearegeelong
— Matt Forrest (@mattforrest29) August 9, 2023
“From the time I walked into Hawthorn, and now being at Geelong, I have always felt right at home at both organisations and to this day have made some very special friendships and bonds with a lot of people.”
Smith was picked up in the 2010 National Draft with pick 19 to the Hawks, winning three premierships in the club’s three-peat during 2013-15.
He made his debut in round 7, 2011 against Port Adelaide and went on to play 210 games for Hawthorn before moving to Geelong at the end of the 2020 season.
Smith has played 67 out of a possible 70 games for the Cats, which includes six finals appearances, 39 goals and a winning percentage rate of 68.65 per cent.
He became the oldest player to win the Norm Smith Medal during the Cats’ 81-point victory over Sydney in 2022, gathering 32 disposals and 12 marks to go along with three goals.
Geelong General Manager of Football Simon Lloyd said Smith’s team first approach and football knowledge would be missed.
“Ever since walking into the Cattery, Isaac has been an important member of the Club both on and off the field, highlighted by his strong mindset, competitive nature and balanced perspective on life and the game,” he said.
“Over his three seasons at the Cats, we have been blessed to have Isaac wear the Geelong hoops, he is a unique individual and his ability to bring energy around the Club is something that is going to be missed.”
Originally published as Geelong Cats: Isaac Smith began to seriously ponder retirement while in the team bus on the way to a game at the SCG
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