Devon Smith reveals why he left GWS and chose Essendon as his new club

It’s that time of the season when players are considering their future. Devon Smith never thought he’d play for another club but once he decided he needed a change, Essendon was the club for him.

Devon Smith at the Giants (left) and at the Bombers.

My mindset in 2017 — coming off a preliminary final loss with the Giants in 2016 — saw me highly motivated and as keen as ever for an exciting season.

Being such a young team in 2016 left me with only one conclusion — we could only go better (you soon and painfully learn there are no guarantees in our game).

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Not for one second in early 2017 did I think I would be playing at another club in 2018. How quickly circumstances change.

I had already lost the bulk of my closest teammates and staff including Taylor Adams, Tomas Bugg, John Quinn, Craig and Melissa Lambert. My two best mates at the club were Jezza Cameron and Nathan Wilson.

Nath and I chatted regularly regarding where our heads were at.

It was about mid-year and Nath was pretty certain that he was ready to go home to Western Australia and start a family as well as have contract security from Fremantle.

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I was still in limbo at the mid-year point — probably 85 per cent staying at Greater Western Sydney and 15 per cent leaving.

Unfortunately, I got injured in the second half of the season.

Looking back I might have rushed to return and that wasn’t the right call because I then missed four or five weeks and was probably only ready for the preliminary final against Richmond.

Devon Smith is in his second season at the Bombers. Picture: AAP

I believed I’d done enough work and was ready to come back into the seniors. I had never played in the twos.

That was my biggest disappointment. I was one of the inaugural Giants and had done so much work to get myself right to be able to put my hand up.

But Leon Cameron and the coaches went with youth in Timmy Taranto, who had played a handful of games, and Stevie J (which would be his last match).

At halftime against the Tigers I still held hope of us winning and being back in the team for the Grand Final.

It wasn’t until three-quarter time and sitting up on level two at the MCG when it was clear we were going to lose that I knew in my mind and heart I wouldn’t play another game for the Giants.

I was a bit sad. I’d put my heart and soul into the club and to end on those terms wasn’t great, but on the other hand I was motivated and inspired to come back home and be a better player wherever that turned out to be.

I had my exit review and funnily enough Nath Wilson was the one before me. He was only in the room for five minutes and had broke the news to Leon that he was out.

I was next man in with all the coaches and other staff. Leon politely kicked them out of the room and we had an open and honest conversation where I informed him I would be leaving.

I’m not really sure if Leon knew my news was coming or not but he and I always had open and honest discussions about life and football. I think he was a bit disappointed but also understood my reasons.

Smith in action for GWS in 2015. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It wasn’t easy having that conversation, that’s for sure. Leon and I had built a great relationship and had been through highs and lows together.

I’m very thankful for what Leon did for me over the journey. We didn’t always agree, but I respect him still to this day for having the not-so-easy conversations with me.

My manager at the time was Ned Guy, who halfway or so through my negotiations informed me he was now Collingwood’s list manager.

I was happy for Ned to go and chase bigger dreams and opportunity.

I had interest mainly from Carlton and Essendon. I also caught up with Collingwood, Melbourne and St Kilda.

The Saints didn’t show their interest until very late and by then I already had picked the Bombers in my head.

I was super impressed with Alan Richardson and Jarryn Geary in the interview/presentation.

It’s a strange and stressful time when choosing which club to join.

How am I going to fit in? What’s the difference in offers in terms of money and length? There were so many questions and grey areas.

Jeremy Cameron was one of Devon Smith’s best mates at the Giants. Picture: Craig Wilson

It was a hard time because I wasn’t certain where I would end up and I’d call my dad everyday and he would just listen. I also spoke regularly to my brothers, partner and manager about my situation.

I was set on getting to Essendon. I was so keen on the Bombers because:

1) I really rated the list. It was young and had a great spine.

2) I saw myself getting midfield minutes and the coaches I’d met gave me confidence.

3) The privilege of getting to play in big games and big occasions like Anzac Day and the Dreamtime game.

I told my manager that I wanted to play at Essendon and from there things happened.

He spoke to the Bombers’ list and recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro and I imagine it was a pretty happy conversation.

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