Perfect timing behind Isaac Smith’s excellent AFL career with Geelong and Hawthorn

He was in the right place at the right times. As he calls time on his career, Isaac Smith’s sensational career was aided by a number of perfect moments.

Isaac Smith had his timing right all of his career. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos

Isaac Smith always had his timing right.

The rangy winger arrived at Hawthorn in late 2010 as a mature bolter, a proven winner who had lit the game up in the country leagues, right as the Hawks hit a new upswing.

With the left-footer running up and back on the MCG, Hawthorn played in a preliminary final in 2011 and then featured in the next four grand finals, with Smith landing three premiership medals.

A long bomb from Smith sealed the 2013 grand final over Fremantle. Picture: Nicole Garmston

His timing was only slightly off for his next move at the end of 2020, when he was hunted by both Geelong and Melbourne.

Smith chose to move rural, preferring the slower lifestyle in Geelong, only for the Dees to boot the Cats out of the 2021 finals series and win the flag.

Of course, Cats fans will never forget Smith’s timing returning the next year.

On a perfect afternoon, Smith burst through the sunshine twice in the first quarter to kick statement goals to set up a glorious grand final win over Sydney.

A trademark long bomb from 50m at the same end in the third term was the one that clinched the game – Geelong fans will always remember the explosion of celebration on the field when that went through, clearly the moment the Cats knew they had the premiership.

This grand final goal marked a celebration so big Isaac Smith is lost in the huddle. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Smith timed it again on Thursday, calling the end of his career when Geelong finishes its season.

Really, the former Hawk could have played on for years, he would be the first to say he doesn’t play a combative style and his rangy frame will be able to run up and down the wing and pump the ball forward all day until he is 40.

Smith was possibly Geelong’s most consistent player through the first six rounds of this season, as everybody else struggled to shake off a possible hangover, he just ploughed on.

Few players have ever been so consistent, forever grabbing about 23 disposals and over 400m gained each game.

Another goal in the glorious sunshine. Picture: Mark Stewart

Smith had to wait until round 7 in his first season to debut and an injury in 2020 marked the only other year of his 13 seasons that he didn’t play at least 19 games.

Once he arrived, he squeezed as much into his football that he could.

But Smith’s form has slowly faded as this season has worn on and he had less than 20 disposals in four of his last six games.

Where he was running on top of the ground at the start of the year, he is gliding with just a little less speed now and he again picked the right moment to know when to take off.

Before Friday night’s game with Collingwood, Smith had played 67 games with Geelong and 210 with Hawthorn.

He will always be a triple-premiership Hawk but he will equally always be a Norm Smith Medal-winning Cats hero.

For the rangy winger who still rides his bike into training and games from Geelong West, Smith’s timing has always been spot on.

Originally published as Perfect timing behind Isaac Smith’s excellent AFL career with Geelong and Hawthorn