Heath Grundy has never been far from Nick Smith’s side since the retiring Sydney Swans defender arrived at the club in November 2006.
As Grundy grappled with the opposition’s most damaging key forward deep in the Swans’ defensive territory, Smith would be wrestling with a gun small forward just a couple of drop punts away.
Very rarely in Smith’s 211-game career was Grundy not suited up in red and white.
The two miserly defensive stalwarts would also suit up as a groomsman for each other’s wedding, with Grundy marrying in 2013 and Smith in 2017.
And in keeping with the theme of an inseparable bond spanning more than a decade, Smith was at the SCG for Grundy’s retirement announcement in May, before Grundy returned the favour as his close mate hung up the boots on Wednesday.
Grundy paid tribute to his great mate’s extraordinary professionalism.
“With the fluctuations of wins and losses he was someone who’d take the losses pretty hard because he always felt like he could’ve done things differently,” Grundy said.
“He was always looking to improve, and he was always looking to help the team out. He was certainly one who would absorb a good win, but he wouldn’t enjoy it for too long because he’d always have to roll up the next week and play on one of the best players again.
“He was always very focused and very professional on and off the field, whether it be at training, at a meeting or on a night on the beers. He was always very professional in the way he acted, and the young guys would certainly always follow his lead. He was a really big role model for everyone.”
Smith said in Wednesday’s retirement presser that winning the 2012 flag was the highlight of his career.
The Scotch College graduate also shared the Swans’ 2009 Rising Star honour with Jesse White, claimed Sydney’s 2011 Most Improved award and was named Best Clubman in 2012.
The former rookie-listed Swan was also named in the 2014 All Australian team and featured in Australia’s International Rules side in 2014 and 2015.
Smith was renowned for the brilliant shutdown roles he played on some of the most skilful players to have graced the game, including Cyril Rioli, Steve Johnson, Eddie Betts, Stephen Milne and Mark LeCras.
Grundy had high praise for Smith the footballer.
“When I think of Nick Smith the player I remember you wouldn’t always know that he and his opponent were out there because he was always doing such a good job on them,” Grundy said.
“But then all of a sudden when the opposition was looking like getting a bit of momentum, he’d have this ability to lift and create a bone-crunching tackle or a diving spoil. A huge effort would lift the side. I have vivid memories of Nick in big games, like in finals or games in Western Australia or at the MCG, where he’d make a big statement with a tackle or put in a really selfless act for the team when we needed it.”
Grundy said his friendship with ‘Smooch’ grew from the bond they struck on the field.
“At the start of his career we weren’t really that close, and we didn’t have a lot to do with each other,” Grundy said.
“But our friendship was born out of how we went about our footy. We earned respect through our footy and our relationship as mates blossomed from there.”
Ever the realist, Grundy had simple advice for Smith on retirement.
“Footy clubs move on, so you’ve got to absorb the emotion while you can and then look forward.”
