Anyone happen to notice the kid?

[35forever]

Amongst the horror and heartbreak of last weeks Western tragedy there was a very bright spot for Magpie fans as a young rookie wearing number 40 proved that he is, as expected, a ball magnet.

Josh Smith gave us a glimpse of his wares in the first NAB game when he racked up ten possies in the first quarter before getting injured. Very interesting for a kid playing his very first quarter at the highest level.

A 23 disposal debut in the biggest of the big time on Anzac Day, was an amazing start, albeit with a big handful turnovers and clangers.
The turnovers & clangers continued in Perth, but 29 possessions, more than any West Coast player, and second only to Adam Treloar for us - one ahead of his skipper.

To put that into a bit of perspective, our greatest ever ball magnet, Brownlow medallist Dane Swan, took 25 games and 4 years to manage that kind of tally, and didn’t manage 29 in his first 3 games combined.

Anyone who can't forgive a kid a bunch of clangers in his debut on Anzac Day in front of 85,000, or in his first interstate game in far off Perth, is a mighty hard taskmaster, no scrub that, he's an incredible twat!
There was a comment in the game day thread demanding he be dropped or killed, can't remember who, but bloody hell! How many kids have managed 52 disposals in their first two? None that I can think of! It took our club champion and captain 56 games and 4 seasons, this years best Tay-tay Adams needed 44 games in his 4th year, young gun Jordan DeGoey hasn't managed it yet (but it won't be long!), and star Adze Treloar took 15 games before posting a 32 against us in the first match we ever played against GWS.

The way he's going he'll get leather poisoning before the year's out, and once he picks up his skills and efficiency he could be absolutely anything.
I have to admit I thought he looked out of his depth in the first quarter on Anzac day, but once the nerves settled down he was near the ball every time I looked.
Remember the first couple of games from this kid. He can already get the possessions, and I truly believe that will continue, once he adds a skill level like some of the blokes he has around him to learn from, he will become one of our absolute guns, maybe of all time!

[neil]

Heater got 23 in his first game
That halfwit Sheahan pointed out two were smothered

Well done to Smithy

[Woods]

Its not hard to clock up high possession count when they are mostly uncontested possessions (eg. simply receiving handballs).

The assessment of Josh Smith should not focus on the number of possessions he gets, but what he does with them after he gets them.

Against West Coast his disposal efficiency was 62%, second lowest in the team (only Greenwood was worse).

It would also help if he could keep his feet.

[3rd degree]

[didick]

I agree 35. He, in only his 2nd game, was one of the greater positives out of the match. It excites me that he is getting involved so much and is finding himself where the ball is a lot. He is certainly trying his guts out too. I'm impressed. He'll get better with disposal once he relaxes a little and feels part of the team and that he belongs. To me he is looking like he will belong, given his effort and that he does seem to be a bit of a ball magnet. Looking forward to watching more of him.

[BHPIE]

What is it, 2 games,.........must still have nerves and a few clowns on here bag him, will be a gun once he settles down, bloody hell how many clangers do Swan n Siddebottom make

[Beast]

Not bad for a rookie and there's definitely something there but hardly a kid at 22.

[Dave The Man]

Smith but he needs to Tidy up his Disposal

[stui magpie]

Pretty damn good first 2 games IMO.

Good call 35Forever.

[Cam]

Jury is out whether he will be a Sam Dwyer or something better than that. Dwyer a magnet too.

[piedys]

[stui magpie]

Having beautiful disposal is no damn good if you can't get the ball.

Kid can get the ball, and can kick long, hard and straight. Give him a bit of time to get the pace and settle in.

[uncanny]

agreed 35
lots to like about Josh Smith

[Darkstranger]

We will see

[Uphold_the_Magpies'_name!]

Better than Dwyer. Lock it in.