Nick Smith retirement

[stevoswan]

Oh Nick Smith - I thought he might finish this year. What a great player he was (is). The embodiment of the bloods spirit. Certainly, not enough recognition from the Vic-centric AFL media.

Whoa...he only retired today. Give them a chance. There's an article on the Vic-centric AFL website and ABC TV News have been reporting it all day. I'm sure there will be stuff (albeit small) in the Age and the Hun tomorrow. We'll see....

What can we say about Nick Smith? Swans legend, best back pocket in the last twenty years. No one could stop the leagues best small forwards like Smooch. We were a far better side with him in it. All the best in your post footy life Nick.....

[Mel_C]

Was really sad when I heard the news this morning. It's a shame he wasn't able to overcome his injury and play this year.

He was our Mr Reliable and you knew he had a good game when you realised you hadn't noticed him all game. He was very rarely beaten and he was one of the few that was able to keep Cyril quiet.

I hope there is a big turnout for our final home game to farewell our retirees.

[gazza]

thanks nick for your great service to the swans. always remembered

[KSAS]

I was hoping he'd continue to next year but alas his injury must be too much. Significant that Nick's last game was also Alex Johnson's last game in that match against Melbourne late last year at the MCG. That is now doubly sad looking back. At Least Nick out lasted Cyril & will always be a Swans legend. Biggest year of Swans greats retirements I can ever recall, particularly with Jack's retirement looking imminent.

[bloodspirit]

The tributes are coming in on twitter: Twitter reacts: Nick Smith retires - sydneyswans.com.au. But still nothing much from his opponents and contemporaries. Not that I've seen anyway.

I hope this doesn't do an injustice to Smooch, but for me he's in the same category as LRT. Both underrated, both gave heart and soul and both are completely loveable. However, Smooch was probably more reliable and LRT never earned AA selection (although he did manage two outstanding grand final performances to win two premierships). I hope Smooch has established himself in Sydney and hangs around or, if not, remains a part of the club from wherever he winds up.

[bloodspirit]

Love thisyoung smooch.jpg

[AnnieH]

OMG... was he ever this young?

[bloodspirit]

211 games
10 career goals
0 career Brownlow votes

Bloods champion. Best lockdown small defender of his era.

[bloodspirit]

This is good: SwansTV: #3: Smooch never giving an inch - YouTube. Video highlights that show his work as a defender instead of his handful of goals which I care much less about - they are not why we love Nick Smith.

Love the tackles on Stevie J and Nick Riewoldt in particular.

[bloodspirit]

Reading between the lines, I think the club has determined the timing of the end and he has acceded to the club's decision. Ever the team man. I get that from (a) the references to the club managers/coaches sitting down and analysing scenarios about how many games he might play next year and whether it would be worth it; and (b) his slightly surprising comment about having "absolutely no animosity" (or similar) in his press conference. Neither of these things makes it clear, but that was my take on it.

[MattW]

Reading between the lines, I think the club has determined the timing of the end and he has acceded to the club's decision. Ever the team man. I get that from (a) the references to the club managers/coaches sitting down and analysing scenarios about how many games he might play next year and whether it would be worth it; and (b) his slightly surprising comment about having "absolutely no animosity" (or similar) in his press conference. Neither of these things makes it clear, but that was my take on it.

Mine too.

[AnnieH]

The last line in the Daily Terror article today (sorry, can't link it - I read the actual "paper" version), says that the Club is hoping to find him something to do.
Hope so.
He's such a nice bloke... has always been most polite and respectful.