Nick Smith
2008-2019
211 games
10 goals
Premiership Player 2012
All Australian 2014
Renowned psychiatrist Phil Stutz believes that a society's spirit depends on the support of its members. In the context of football clubs, players become the stewards of that society, exemplifying its ideals. And, at the Sydney Swans, acting as guardians of a standard-setting culture, its leaders are well-versed in such matters.
Nick Smith arrived at the club in 2006 with players such as Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk, Michael O'Loughlin, Craig Bolton, Leo Barry, and Barry Hall, encapsulating the ‘Bloods Culture’. By the time he retired in 2019, Smith, too, had grown into a formidable leader, leaving an indelible mark on the team and its values.
His father, Mal, played one match for St Kilda in 1982, and Smith enjoyed a supportive family environment as he immersed himself in footy. Each year, he watched the Grand Final, hoping he'd be out there one day. As a promising junior footballer, Smith played as a midfielder, and in his final year of school, he captained Scotch College while playing a vital role in the Oakleigh Chargers' TAC Cup-winning side.
The Swans' longtime recruiting chief, Kinnear Beatson, had just arrived in Sydney and called Smith's name as his first-ever selection for the club during the 2006 rookie draft. "Nick was a left-footer who kicked it well, and having met him, you just knew he had substance and resilience. That's always a good sign—and you knew he was going to give you everything he had," Beatson explained.
Sydney lost the '06 Grand Final by a point, with the senior team experienced and settled. Not instantly thrilled at moving to Sydney, Smith quickly embraced the opportunity, moving in with Craig Bolton, whose influence was critical to his progression. Smith's 2007 season was dedicated to development, and Paul Roos handed him a senior debut in Round 5, 2008 against defending premiers Geelong.
"You learn very early at the Swans that you'll be judged by your effort and how you carry yourself," Smith said. "I wasn't ready as an 18-year-old to play AFL; I wasn't big enough and strong enough, so I needed to work hard on those elements, and I had so many great role models to show me how to do that."
"Everything was based on behaviours. And that was imparted to me straight away. So, I knew what was expected, the training standards required, how to earn respect at the club, and how to get a game. That really simplifies things as a young player."
After playing two games in '08, Smith returned to the team in Round 12, 2009, retaining his spot for the remainder of that season. Under no illusions of how to gain respect within the team, Smith played to his strengths and worked tirelessly to improve. At season's end, he shared the club's Rising Star award with Jesse White.
After missing the finals for the first time in seven years, the Swans endured one of the most arduous pre-season training blocks they'd ever experienced. Smith believes that the physical conditioning gained during that summer established a new benchmark for a young core that included Smith, Kieren Jack, Lewis Jetta, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, and Sam Reid.
Smith played the first of his 20 finals matches in 2010, as Sydney exited at the semi-final stage during Roos' final season as senior coach. "Roosy was sensational," Smith recalled. "But change can often breathe new life into a club, and in 2011, we really started to build under Horse. I remember Ryan O'Keefe saying in 2011 that we were only a couple of years away from winning a premiership."
John Longmire deployed Smith as his lockdown small defender, and at the end of the new coach's first season, Smith won the club's Most Improved Player award. Sydney again reached the semi-final stage, but its young players had emerged as significant contributors, and hopes were high for an improved showing in 2012.
By then, Smith had built a reputation as one of the competition's premier small defenders and formed part of a cohesive defensive unit that had now played a significant amount of football together. During the pre-season, Smith joined the club's leadership group.
Smith's inclusion prompted established leader Jude Bolton to say, "He goes about his business extremely professionally, and he's done that since day one. His attention to detail, he's meticulous, he leaves no stone unturned to just be a better player, and that's why he's been voted into the leadership group."
As the season progressed, the Swans grew in confidence, playing a strong, united and consistent brand of football. After two magnificent finals victories over Adelaide and Collingwood, Sydney reached the Grand Final against Hawthorn. For Smith, his boyhood dream became a reality, but the challenge of playing on former Scotch College teammate Cyril Rioli meant a stressful lead-in to the game.
But the Swans played with synergy and precision to upset the highly fancied Hawks, claiming the club's 10th premiership with a 10-point victory. Smith, ever dependable, played his role superbly, severely restricting Rioli's influence while assisting his fellow defenders.
"It's a great strength of ours that the history is passed on through the generations, and our players realise that they're not just representing themselves and their families; they're representing all the past players and supporters from our South Melbourne days, too."
"After we celebrated, we headed out that next day to South Melbourne at the Lake Oval. There was a big parade there, and I remember it being such a great feeling. Then, when we got back to Sydney, we went straight to the SCG, where we could not believe the number of fans there as well. It was just awesome," Smith recalled.
Receiving the Best Clubman award at the 2012 Club Champion dinner highlighted Smith's impact on the team. His superb form earned him selection in the 2014 All-Australian team, and in 2014 and 2015, Smith represented Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland. A model of consistency, his defensive prowess helped the Swans to further Grand Final appearances in 2014 and 2016.
As Smith evolved into one of the team's senior players, he was conscious of providing younger players with the type of mentorship he was provided as a fledgling player. "A critical part of the 'Bloods Culture' of the modern era is to pass it all on and ensure the club's success continues. It's a real pleasure to see those young guys having some success of their own."
Smith retired in 2019 after failing to recover from a severe hamstring injury sustained the previous year, despite three separate surgeries. In tribute to one of the ultimate team-first players, Longmire said, "From the moment Nick arrived at the Sydney Swans, we knew we had a special person."
"Nick was a master of the small defender role, but the Nick Smith that we all know behind closed doors is much, much more than this. Nick is highly respected by coaches and peers alike. First elected to the club's leadership group in 2012, he is the epitome of what the Bloods are about. And for us, that's as great a compliment as there is."
Through hard work and dedication, Smith crafted an outstanding career in red and white. He thoughtfully reflects on that time, "The relationships you forge are the most important thing. I was so lucky to come to this club, and I have so many great memories from my time as a player. I've just been so fortunate to have gone through with so many good people, and I'll always keep an eager eye on the way the Swans are going."
