Western Bulldogs star Clay Smith riding emotional rollercoaster after death of close friend

CLAY Smith will attend the funeral for one of his closest friends just days before he plays in the biggest game of his life.

Clay Smith of the Bulldogs.

CLAY Smith will farewell one of his closest friends just days before he plays in the biggest game of his life.

The Western Bulldog revealed after Saturday night’s historic preliminary final win against Greater Western Sydney that one of his best friends from high school — Dale Walkinshaw — had passed away.

Walkinshaw, also 23, was in a road accident in Darwin 12 days ago and after being in a coma for four days, passed away on September 19.

Smith, who kicked four goals in the Bulldogs’ six-point win and kissed his black armband, will travel to Bairnsdale on Tuesday to attend his mate’s funeral after what he admitted has been an emotionally draining prelude to Saturday’s Grand Final.

“The weekend was a pretty big deal,” he told the Herald Sun.

“I didn’t find out (that he had been in the accident) until after the Hawthorn game ... a couple of boys took me out for brekky and told me and we didn’t know what was going to happen.

“The news came on (last) Monday so it was a pretty hard week.

“I caught up with a couple of mates during the week and about 25 or 30 of us on Wednesday night ... we had a barbecue and relaxed and tried to remember the good times.”

Clay Smith meets a Bulldogs fan. Picture: Kylie Else

Smith, who has Walkinshaw’s initials tattooed on his backside after losing a bet, said getting up to play against the Giants was tough, and the emotion is still evident in the forward.

“It was difficult on the weekend,” he said.

“Everyone wore the armbands which was unreal — I respect that everyone did that for him and it meant a lot for me.

“Then to go out and play the way that I did — I don’t know if it had anything to do with him or not, but it was good to get the result and probably just a relief to finish the game and to get through. It was a pretty emotional ride.

“I was a little bit all over the shop before the game and really emotional thinking about it and putting the armband tape on my arm and just hoping that we did well and that I did well for him. It was a good result in the end.”

Clay Smith gives Heath Shaw the slip in the preliminary final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

To lift the premiership cup on Saturday would be the ultimate high after almost two weeks of incredible lows, Smith said. And Walkinshaw will be right there with him in spirit.

“It would be nice. I’ve got the funeral and have to turn back to footy and switch on there, but I know he’ll be watching down this weekend,” he said.

Smith — who has overcome three knee reconstructions — has thrived in his first finals series, booting seven goals in three games so far and averaging more than 20 disposals per game.

He considers the furnace of finals footy as suiting him, and said hitting his straps has come at the right time.

“It’s probably the more contested game style and it gets a lot more fierce and there’s a lot more pressure,” he said.

“I tend to like the harder and more contested game style. I’m also getting some continuity in my footy and getting some belief behind me and starting to play some good footy which is always good.”