Anyone happen to notice the kid?

[Pies4shaw]

It might be that Cox gave them the confidence - or it might have been that Sidebottom having 20 disposals and 4 goals by the 2nd minute of the second quarter did the trick. I know where my money is in that particular hypothetical debate.

On topic, I think we would do well to let Smith learn how not to kick the ball OOF under no pressure before we announce him as the "next Swan". I was impressed by his second game and have high hopes but it is, frankly, tedious watching Collingwood players crushed by the weight of unrealistic supporter-expectations, of which this is another classic example. Let's just let the kid play and see how he develops. If he becomes "the next Swan" that will be great - but, sadly, we all know that it is much more likely that people on here will be calling for his sacking in three weeks' time when he hasn't already become the "next Swan".

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

[RudeBoy]

Remember, although he's only played 2 AFL games, he is already 23 yrs, so should be in his prime as a midfielder. It may be that what we see is the finished article. On the other hand, he may steadily improve as he plays more and more footy.

I don't know why, but I'm actually more excited by the possibilities offered by Wills, who looks like the type who could actually impose himself on the contest and turn a game.

[Pies4shaw]

Smith is just 22 and Wills is about to turn 23. Any player who gets 29 disposals in a team that is trounced on the opposite side of the country deserves a little recognition for his effort. I note - respectfully - that Smith is the same age as Broomhead and he had about 25 more disposals than Broomy last week.

In fact, the only players younger than Smith in the team today will be De Goey, Aish and Moore.

By the way, Smith is in the team because, apart from getting a whole lot of the ball, he can kick a mile - it will take time for him to get (and, indeed, he may never get) the poise to use that weapon in the seniors but that's why he's there. As we all know, penetrating kicks are in short-supply in the seniors, so there's an obvious position for Smith (especially with Ramsay done for the season). Wills is probably back-up for Greenwood and Adams, so it might be a while before he gets a chance, barring injuries.

[E]

Smith is quickly becoming the master of kicking it over the head of the lead up forward!! I counted at least 3 today. sadly, for all of his good qualities, you are not much value to a modern AFL team if you cant hit targets up the ground. The pies appear to have gotten a lot of fantastic footballers, all of whom share this one failing. I wonder if that is why we got them. Maybe clubs realized before we did that precise kicking is a value that exceeds nearly every other skill......

[Jezza]

I'm a fan! Seen enough to say that he's worth persisting with until it's indisputable that he go back to the reserves at some point.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

I'm not sold on him. Looks like another very good vfl player and difficult to see him holding a spot once Langdon and Marley return.

[35forever]

I like the kid more each time he plays. He's not racking up huge numbers the last few, but much of that is due to our mids keeping it out of the oppo backline. More importantly, like Crocs & Cox he seems quite at home in the big league. He & Crocker do a lot that they don't get a stat for, and I'm quite confident that the pair, along with Maynard & Marsh, will be mainstays of a successful side for years to come. Most seem to have missed the skill of Maynard, he does some amazing stuff, but of course at that age that's going to lead to some fabulous cock-ups too. Goodyear was certainly one of the best in the Magoos awesome win. One pundit gave Cloke BOG and nothing for Goldy, the other I saw did the reverse, but both gave Goody votes. We are slowly getting enough guys back to put a little pressure on the guys upstairs. If we keep winning that will only improve (losses & injuries are best mates). It's a shame the coach doesn't think we can win all our games, I do! But I guess he cancels me out. 😡

[simon tonna]

yesterdays game showed that with the right mind set [fabric of the coach] the team out there needs to do a job. crocker and smith did there part at crucial moments in the game. those crucial moments in the game were every touch they had. every touch they had helped the team achieve the right result. both lads show energy and footballing ability.

[think positive]

And let's not forget we were playing the big bodies of Geelong. Compare him to Dwyer? Absolutely, and for what he cost us Sammy was an absolute steal.

[Cam]

Yes, like Blair he can add something and be the cream on the cake if we have enough quality cake to surround him with. Getting better each week and quite a zippy little linkman.

[leonmagic]

agree with the comparisons to dwyer - which isn't really an insult. dwyer was a very reliable player but never really set the world on fire.

smith seems to be the same; neat with the ball, knows how to find it but isn't overly damaging with it. having said that, he seems to do the right thing with the ball (aside from a few rookie-errors here and there as he finds his feet).

doesn't really seem to have a string to his bow at this stage but it's only early days.

[MP magpie]

I will be Mr. Negative here.. he needs to keep the focus at all times.

Menzels 50 metre goal - he marked on the 50 line, yet Smith stood 40 metres out for the mark. Menzel runs in and drills it, kicked about a foot in front of where he marked it. Frustrating and shouldn't have happened.

Silly error, needs to get better in that regard. But this kid has a fair bit of potential.

[Pies4shaw]

His ball use was excellent yesterday and he's getting dramatically better in the one on one contests. He is way ahead of Maynard in my pecking order, at the moment.

[Duff Soviet Union]