Smith began his career with the Giants, playing in the club’s first game in 2012 after being drafted from Lara near Geelong. He was a tough, talented forward who played 73 games with the Giants, including the 2016 preliminary final loss to the Western Bulldogs, before crossing to the Bombers at the end of 2017.
He won the Bombers’ best and fairest in his first season as a midfielder, but a knee issue curtailed his progress in subsequent years with his training and output restricted as he played 51 games over the next four seasons.
He was omitted from the team during 2022 as the Bombers battled for consistency at the start of the year under Ben Rutten.
Docherty inspired by Cunnington’s return from cancer battle
Jon Pierik
Carlton star Sam Docherty says he has been inspired by fellow cancer survivor Ben Cunnington, who will play his first senior match in 13 months on Saturday.
Docherty, who has twice overcome testicular cancer, posted a video on social media congratulating Cunnington, who has also recovered from two bouts of testicular cancer.
Ben Cunnington and Sam Docherty embrace before the Roos-Blues clash in round seven.Credit:AFL Pictures
“I just want to wish you all the best on the weekend. I know how hard this journey has been for you and Belinda and the kids,” Docherty said.
“It’s a massive achievement to even get back playing at the level – I am so stoked for you, mate. I have been watching from Afar, and you inspire me every day, so I just want to wish you all the best. I will be tuning in early before our game. I hope you absolutely dominate, and the boys get a win for you.”
Docherty made his emotional return to football in round one, having revealed in August last year he was undergoing chemotherapy for a second time.
Cunnington, who recently has also dealt with a calf strain and a bout of COVID, made his VFL return last weekend. The veteran midfielder, a two-time Syd Barker medalist, pulled up well, with the Kangaroos having no hesitation about selecting him to face the Crows in Adelaide on Saturday.
“Until it gets taken away from you, and you have no control over it, you soon realize that you still love it,” Cunnington told his teammates.
“I’ve been through what I’ve been through and without the support I have I couldn’t have got through it. I’m here now, hungry, I feel I have worked hard to be in a position to help you boys out again. I’m keen as ever.”
Cunnington’s return comes as the bottom-placed Kangaroos have axed Jason Horne-Francis, the No.1 selection who has struggled in his debut season. The decision shocked dual North Melbourne premiership player David King, particularly as Horne-Francis has now missed out on playing before family and friends in Adelaide.
But the club’s games record holder Brent Harvey, who is a game-day runner, said selection integrity was crucial and caretaker coach Leigh Adams had made the right call.
Horne-Francis has had 13, 21, 11 and 12 disposals in his last past four games since returning from a hamstring strain and suspension. He has averaged 16.3 disposals and 3.6 clearances per game. He has yet to commit to the club beyond the end of next season.
Key defender Ben McKay and Jackson Archer also return but Hugh Greenwood, the high-prized off-season recruit, has also been dropped.
The Kangaroos are optimistic they will secure Alastair Clarkson as senior coach, with the Giants also pursuing the former Hawthorn coach.
‘We’ve got more left in the tank’: Voss
Carlton are not satisfied with their season as the Blues attempt to ride the wave of the Patrick Cripps verdict into a drought-breaking finals appearance.
Carlton (12-8), who are clinging onto their position in the top-eight, had been preparing to be without their star midfielder for crunch games against reigning premiers Melbourne and in-form rivals Collingwood.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said Cripps had been “amazing” in handling the uncertainty of the situation.
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The Blues need to win one of their final two home-and-away games to secure their first finals appearance since 2013.
Cripps’ involvement against Melbourne will help a Blues midfield already missing George Hewett (back) and Matt Kennedy (jaw).
Carlton full-forward Harry McKay declared on Monday night he would still consider the season a success even if the Blues did not make finals.
The Blues have spent the entire season inside the top-eight but could fall out in round 23 if they lose both their games and the Western Bulldogs defeat GWS and Hawthorn, and make up a small percentage gap.
“I’ve said from the start, I’ve never put a limit on this group,” Voss said on Friday. “There’s some things I’m enormously proud of what we’ve achieved this year.
“But that doesn’t leave us satisfied, we feel like we’ve got more left in the tank and we want to have a say in what’s left.”
Carlton have recalled ruckman Marc Pittonet at the expense of young big man Tom De Koning, while Paddy Dow also comes back in.
Melbourne have gone 4-6 since opening the season with 10 straight wins to be no guarantee of finishing inside the top four. But the Demons are sticking with the same team that was lost against the Magpies last Friday night.
AAP