Essendon recruit Devon Smith loving being back in Melbourne as he prepares for more midfield minutes
ESSENDON’s Devon Smith is loving being back in Melbourne after moving from the Giants to the Bombers at the end of last year and it’s already paying dividends on the field as he prepares for more midfield minutes when an injured teammate returns.
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DEVON Smith says he has struck a healthier life balance since moving back to Victoria as the Essendon recruit prepares to ramp up his midfield time in coming weeks.
Smith, 24, was the No.1 pressure player in the Bombers’ 12-point Round 1 win against Adelaide and revealed he had developed a special bond with fellow recruit Jake Stringer.
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The former GWS forward recorded a career-best 92 pressure points against the Crows from 47 separate acts.
An exhausted Smith came to the interchange bench just once in the second half and expected to be sore for several days after.
“I usually have at least two (rotations) a quarter,” Smith told the Herald Sun.
“I don’t know how I did that, and my groins don’t know either, I can’t run like Tom Scully.”
The Dons were down on midfield rotations after the early concussion suffered by star Zach Merrett.
Bombers coach John Worsfold labelled Smith an “immature midfielder” because of his limited onball opportunities from his 109 games for the Giants.
Worsfold was thrilled with Smith’s pressure and closing speed against Adelaide as he was used evenly between the midfield and forward line.
But Smith — who collected 23 disposals — expects to spend as much as 80 per cent of games in the midfield once goalkicker Orazio Fantasia (knee) returns, most likely next week.
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The workhorse inherited James Hird’s famous No.5 guernsey and has enjoyed fishing and golfing since his homecoming.
The Lara boy is living in Williamstown with his partner and has lowered his golf handicap to about 11.
“I’m really enjoying being home. It’s nice to know you can go home, go to your brother’s for dinner, go see your nephews for birthdays and it all adds up,” Smith said.
“(Stringer’s) new partner lives around the corner from me so we, a lot of times, get a car ride in together and they’re good little bonding sessions.
“He’s one of my best mates at the club and I’m just trying to help him out.
“Jakey — I was going to say he’s a big kid — and that’s probably what he is.
“He’s a year younger than me but he’s had some life lessons and he’s trying to put his best foot forward as a player and as a father.”
Smith has long been an elite pressure player and said that is also what the Bombers expect.
“My job might not be to get 30 disposals, but to put immense pressure on,” he said.
“We really want to bring pressure. Last year we were known as an offensive team, and obviously we can still kick 100 points, we just need to play a better defence.
“That’s the general message.”
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