From out-of-favour goalsneak to record-breaking pressure king - the rise of Devon Smith

IT was the deal that came with a lot of questions. But 10 rounds into 2018, Devon Smith is answering all of them as he tracks towards becoming the AFL’s all-time pressure king.

Dylan Shiel is tackled by Devon Smith. Pic: Getty Images

DEVON Smith’s phone started lighting up with messages.

But among last week’s birthday wishes from his former GWS teammates was a bit of old-fashioned banter.

“I hope you’re sore,” some of the texts read.

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Yet the irony is it’s Smith’s tackling that is inflicting the soreness.

The Giants didn’t rate Smith highly enough to play him in last year’s finals series, overlooking him for veteran Steve Johnson in the controversial selection choice that encouraged Smith to leave the club.

Seven months later, he has gone from out-of-favour Giants goalsneak to midfield pressure king at Essendon.

Devon Smith isn’t letting former GWS teammate Dylan Shiel get away. Pic: Getty Images

Smith is the No.1 pressure player in the competition, averaging 75.3 pressure points a game. What’s more, he is on course to become the best pressure player the game has seen since the stat was first recorded in 2013.

Such has been Smith’s influence at his new club, you could certainly make the argument that he’s ahead of Jarman Impey (Hawthorn), Sam Murray (Collingwood) and Bryce Gibbs (Adelaide) as the recruit of the year among established players to switch sides.

Essendon insiders say he would win the Bombers’ best and fairest if it was held tonight.

Smith has become the rugged heartbeat of an Essendon side that has gone from the hunted to the hunter. After a 2-6 start, the Bombers have responded by beating Geelong and the Giants on the road.

John Worsfold’s sudden prickliness seems to have rubbed off on the rest of his players, who have taken the Bombers from a pressure factor rating of 10th after seven rounds, to No.1 from rounds 8-10.

Essendon is the first team to have recorded a pressure factor of 200+ for three consecutive matches.

Smith’s workrate has made him a favourite among Bombers fans. Pic: Getty Images

When it comes to post clearance pressure - the most difficult given the ball is in general play - Essendon also ranks No.1 over the past three weeks. The fact that four of the last six premiers have also ranked No.1 in this measurement illustrates its importance.

Smith had 21 possessions and 13 tackles in Saturday night’s 35-point over the Giants - the sort of performance for which his old side is screaming. The Giants rank 14th for pressure factor in a game that demands you harass the opposition.

He said the team “have a focus on bringing pressure and tackling”.

“I think I’m leading by example … now it’s the responsibility for me to do it week-in week-out,” Smith said.

The Dons last year gave up pick 11 and a future third round selection for Smith, pick 24 and GWS’ 2018 second round pick.

Smith arrived with a history of persistent knee problems and some doubting whether he had the tank to play in an AFL midfield.

They were the questions. Smith has provided the emphatic answers.

Smith and Orazio Fantasia celebrate another goal against GWS. Pic: Getty Images

PRESSURE POINTS IN A SEASON (2013-18)

Player // Club // Matches // Year // Ave

Devon Smith // Ess // 10 // 2018 // 75.3

Dayne Zorko // Bris // 10 // 2019 // 73.8

Hugh Greenwood // Adel // 10 // 2018 // 66.9

Scott Selwood // Geel // 14 // 2017 // 66.9

Liam Shiels // Haw // 18 // 2016 // 66.8

ESSENDON TURNAROUND

Rounds 1-7 // Rounds 8-10

Pressure factor - 180 (10th) // 207 (1st)

Post-clearance pressure factor - 164 (9th) // 191 (1st)

Forward-half pressure factor - 171 (10th) // 194 (1st)

Source: CHAMPION DATA

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