It hasn't taken long for Clay Smith to be known as a fiercely competitive individual, and his first game back from a knee reconstruction reaffirmed that reputation.

In his first outing since July last year, Smith didn’t look out of place, in fact he was one of the better players on the field in the Club’s intra-club match last Thursday.

Smith’s patience was tested in the early stages of his rehabilitation, but the rugged midfielder stayed on course, thanks to his steely determination and Club support staff.

“The first probably three to five months was pretty long, but I’ve pretty much gone through with no hiccups,” Smith said.

“The physios and the support staff in rehab have been amazing, so they have gotten me back.

“That was the [first] hitout in about seven and a half, close to eight months – so it was before eight months which is really good.

Smith looked sharp in the modified intraclub hitout and said the injury was out of mind once he took to the field.  

“I haven’t been conscious of it for ages, I just wanted to play footy and they let me go out there, they [medical staff] said take it easy for a little bit – but [the knee] felt sweet and I just wanted to go,” he said.

“I feel fit. I feel good.“