Brodie Smith
AFL - Adelaide Crows
Brodie Smith was drafted by the Adelaide Crows with pick 14 in the 2010 National Draft after being touted as a future elite midfielder. It didn’t take long for Smith to make his mark in the AFL, selected in Round 1 and a further 14 games in his first season. In his second year, Smith played 22 games including three finals, in a season where he took his clean disposal and speed and turned into a running defender.
The move to defence proved to be a masterstroke, Smith consistently playing as one of the AFL’s most damaging half backs with his high numbers in long kicks, rebound 50’s and metres gained. In 2014 Smith had his best season to date and earned selection in the All-Australian side.
In a 2017 Qualifying Final, Smith suffered an ACL injury which kept him on the sidelines for 11 months. Over 2018 Smith turned his attention and knowledge to junior programs, putting his hand up as the State Under 18 defensive coach. He made it back to the senior side to play two games at the back end of 2018, in one game picking up 29 disposals, 6 rebound 50s and 599 metres gained, and in 2019 was back at his best playing all 22 games.