,Late starter spreads wings in State sphere
He is from the same school as Nic Naitanui, Chris Yarran and Michael Walters and runs as hard as Nick Riewoldt, but Swan Districts draft prospect Dylan Smith is very much his own man.
The 18-year-old forward was one of WA’s best in their one-point win over South Australia in the under-18 championships last week, kicking one goal from eight marks and 16 disposals.
It was a performance built on the back of a tremendous work ethic and athleticism for a player standing at 198cm, and one which justified the opinions of recruiters who rank him among the best key-position players who will be available in this year’s draft.
It has also set him up for one of the most challenging match-ups of the tournament when WA face Vic Country at Medibank Stadium tomorrow, with potential No.1 pick Jacob Weitering, a 195cm defensive general, his likely opponent.
Smith is not your typical draftee. The mild-mannered teenager began playing the game five years ago because he liked the polo shirts they gave out as part of the Governor Stirling High School football program.
He didn’t grow up with a football in his hands, and still doesn’t barrack for an AFL team, but once he took the field it was as if he was born for the game.
“When I was a kid I was pretty shy, that’s why I didn’t do much sport,” he said.
“When I got into footy I just found it so easy to make friends and talk to people.
“That’s part of the reason I fell in love with the sport.
“And the love of the sport really helps. If you love what you’re doing then you’re going to try your best at it.”
Smith played most of his junior football in the ruck before moving forward in the Swans colts program.
But he’s also versatile, as demonstrated by a near best-on-ground effort when he was shifted to centre half-back in last year’s colts grand final, won by Swan Districts.
“He’s a really competitive kid who plays with some real aggression as well, which is exciting,” Swans coach Greg Harding said.
“Then the real killer is the fact that at 198cm, his movement is at the very top end of his age group. He’s got really good agility and really good speed.
“He plays with a real thirst for the contest and that’s the most pleasing thing about Dylan’s game. It’s the thing that’s going to take him a long way in his footy career.”
The potential match-up between Smith and Weitering could play a big part in tomorrow’s result.
