The defender said the Swans would need to lift following the 54-loss to Hawthorn in last week’s qualifying final, and would need to get back to the style of football which saw the team earn a top-four spot this season.
“It’s a massive game,” Smith told SwansTV.
“Our season is on the line and it’s critical we put our best foot forward and get a win this week.
“Last week our pressure fell away, our tackling wasn’t great and we weren’t hitting targets, so we weren’t doing a lot of things right, which hopefully we can change this week.”
The Swans face Carlton this Saturday night, after the Blues staked their claim with an impressive 20-point victory over Richmond in front of over 94,000 fans at the MCG last Sunday.
The Blues’ modern-day ‘mosquito fleet’, consisting of Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran, were in full-flight in their elimination final win over the Tigers.
Smith, who is often matched up on the opposition’s most dangerous small forward, said he’d had experience playing on all three Blues, but said it would be a team effort to curb their influence at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
“I’ve played on Betts a bit and I’ve also played on Garlett, and on Yarran when he’s down there (in their forward line),” he said.
“It could be any one of them.
“Each of them in their own right are really good players, so if we can get on the front foot, then hopefully we can get some momentum early and shut them out.”
The Swans will celebrate two milestones this weekend, with defender Nick Malceski set to play his 150th game and midfielder Dan Hannebery to notch up his 100th.
Smith, who has worked closely with Malceski over the last six seasons, said he was thrilled to see his former mentor reach life membership of the club when he plays game-150 this week.
“It’s a pretty amazing effort and he’s a pioneer of the LARS (knee reconstructive surgery) as well,” he said.
“Mal mentored me when I first got to the club and I lived with him, so I’m really happy to see him play 150 games after everything he’s been through.”
Smith, who is also edging in on his 100-game milestone, also praised the efforts of midfielder Hannebery.
“Hanners, at the other end of the scale, is already up to 100,” Smith said.
“It’s been pretty quick and he’s only 50 games behind Mal and an eight-year age difference, so Hanners will play a fair few games I reckon.”
