Greystache
16-06-2014, 02:51 PM
WESTERN Bulldogs has re-signed Clay Smith to a new two-year deal, helping lock away one of the most prized cogs of its young midfield brigade.
As revealed by the Herald Sun the 21-year-old hard nut has agreed to a new contract that ties him to the kennel until the end of 2016.
It is an important signature for the Dogs as they continue to safeguard their gun young midfielders from rival club raids.
Smith has played 31 AFL games since his debut in Round 1 2012 and is seen as a crucial onball partner for Tom Liberatore in the Dogs’ march back towards a finals berth in the coming years.
The welcome contract news comes only a day after the Dogs produced their best performance of the season to upset Collingwood in a thriller at Etihad Stadium.
Another highly-rated young midfielder, Marcus Bontempelli, was one of the Dogs’ best players, racking up 22 possessions, five marks, four tackles and one goal in the breakthrough win.
Smith’s new deal is a strong show of faith in the ferocious on-baller, who has been hard hit by injury in the past 18 months.
The man taken with pick No. 17 in the 2012 national draft fought back from a knee reconstruction this year only to hurt his AC joint in his AFL return against Gold Coast in Round 10.
He has continued an aggressive running program in his latest stint out of the game and is on track to return in about six weeks.
Dogs’ list manager Jason McCartney said the club was impressed with Smith’s continued on-field improvement and his diligence towards his training and rehabilitation.
“We feel we are forming a core group of young players with desirable and sound qualities and Clay signing a contract extension is another step in the right direction for our Club,” McCartney said.
“Clay is a ruthless competitor who works extremely hard at his game, and we look forward to him having a long career with us.”
Article (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-emerging-midfielder-clay-smith-resigns-for-a-further-two-years-at-whitten-oval/story-fni5fazt-1226955834383)
As revealed by the Herald Sun the 21-year-old hard nut has agreed to a new contract that ties him to the kennel until the end of 2016.
It is an important signature for the Dogs as they continue to safeguard their gun young midfielders from rival club raids.
Smith has played 31 AFL games since his debut in Round 1 2012 and is seen as a crucial onball partner for Tom Liberatore in the Dogs’ march back towards a finals berth in the coming years.
The welcome contract news comes only a day after the Dogs produced their best performance of the season to upset Collingwood in a thriller at Etihad Stadium.
Another highly-rated young midfielder, Marcus Bontempelli, was one of the Dogs’ best players, racking up 22 possessions, five marks, four tackles and one goal in the breakthrough win.
Smith’s new deal is a strong show of faith in the ferocious on-baller, who has been hard hit by injury in the past 18 months.
The man taken with pick No. 17 in the 2012 national draft fought back from a knee reconstruction this year only to hurt his AC joint in his AFL return against Gold Coast in Round 10.
He has continued an aggressive running program in his latest stint out of the game and is on track to return in about six weeks.
Dogs’ list manager Jason McCartney said the club was impressed with Smith’s continued on-field improvement and his diligence towards his training and rehabilitation.
“We feel we are forming a core group of young players with desirable and sound qualities and Clay signing a contract extension is another step in the right direction for our Club,” McCartney said.
“Clay is a ruthless competitor who works extremely hard at his game, and we look forward to him having a long career with us.”
Article (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-emerging-midfielder-clay-smith-resigns-for-a-further-two-years-at-whitten-oval/story-fni5fazt-1226955834383)