You wouldn’t know it from his on-field performance but Clay Smith says that he is still finding his feet in Luke Beveridge’s system.
The tough-as-nails midfielder has strung together seven games in succession after playing just the three games in Beveridge’s first season as coach due to injury, and he says that it’s taken him some time to adjust to a new role.
According to Champion Data, Smith has gathered 65.6% of his possessions in the midfield this season, and 30.0% up forward, a different mix to the 75.0% and 14.3% balance the previous season, but as each game goes by he feels as if he is getting better as a player.
His one-goal a game average and almost three inside50s a contest providing a glimpse into the 23-year-old’s potential.
“I think now that I’m starting to get my full fitness base back and I can get back into the swing of the game style,” he told Sportsday Radio last night.
“Because once Bevo got there I hadn’t played too much footy and I only go three games in last year so I’ve started to get the swing of the game style and how the boys have been playing.
“It’s just good to get some consistency now.”
Smith’s story is now well known, three knee reconstructions in as many years, but his return to top level football is a good news story amongst a couple of bad ones at the Kennel this season.
He says the love he felt from the group and the Club as a whole got him through the tough times.
“We’re such a tight-knit group, young and old has kind of just gelled over the years. It’s pretty much like a family there and that’s what it’s been like to me over my journey.
“Obviously I’ve had a fair bit of heartache and every single time the boys have been great, they’re wrapped their arms around me and tried to make it just that little bit easier.”
“It’s just good to have the support of the Club who’ve stuck by me the whole time and just the support of the boys as well.”
Smith will play his 42nd game for the Club on Sunday against Essendon and his eight straight since returning form injury.
