Clay back on the track

[bornadog]

Clay Smith of the Bulldogs in action during the AFL Round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Hawthorn Hawks at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. (Photo: Sean Garnsworthy/AFL Media)

It hasn't taken long for Clay Smith to be known as a fiercely competitive It hasn't taken long for Clay Smith to be known as a fiercely competitive individual, and his first game back from a knee reconstruction reaffirmed that reputation.

In his first outing since July last year, Smith didn’t look out of place, in fact he was one of the better players on the field in the Club’s intra-club match last Thursday.
Smith’s patience was tested in the early stages of his rehabilitation, but the rugged midfielder stayed on course, thanks to his steely determination and Club support staff.

“The first probably three to five months was pretty long, but I’ve pretty much gone through with no hiccups,” Smith said.
“The physios and the support staff in rehab have been amazing, so they have gotten me back.

“That was the [first] hitout in about seven and a half, close to eight months – so it was before eight months which is really good.
Smith looked sharp in the modified intraclub hitout and said the injury was out of mind once he took to the field.

“I haven’t been conscious of it for ages, I just wanted to play footy and they let me go out there, they [medical staff] said take it easy for a little bit – but [the knee] felt sweet and I just wanted to go,” he said.
“I feel fit. I feel good.“

Link: http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/ne...k-on-the-track

[bornadog]

Anyone that attended the intraclub would have been pleased to see him running pretty freely. Will be great to see him force his way back into the best 22.

[bulldogtragic]

As previously mentioned, Clay is my bolter for the year. Great news.

[1eyedog]

He's a bit like a goal kicking Daniel Cross isn't he, really like him. He'll be bugging the hell out of the coaching staff over the next month.

[Greystache]

He's a bit like a goal kicking Daniel Cross isn't he, really like him. He'll be bugging the hell out of the coaching staff over the next month.

It's a pretty good comparison. Not as strong overhead, but has an aggressive streak Cross didn't, and like you said is surprisingly dangerous around goals.

[1eyedog]

It's a pretty good comparison. Not as strong overhead, but has an aggressive streak Cross didn't, and like you said is surprisingly dangerous around goals.

Yes and I think commitment levels would be about the same.

[ratsmac]

Clay is a beast and I can't wait to see him playing senior footy again. Looks like I wont be waiting too long.

[LostDoggy]

Take your time Clay, come back at your best and safely. This guy will get us over the line in a final one day.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I'm a fan, screams the type to stand up in big finals.

Having said that, I wonder how we'll fit in all these mids? It's a good problem to have on paper, but in 12 months time one of Hrovat/Bonts/Clay/Stevens will probably play more VFL than AFL, and yet I really rate all of them. Hopefully we find a way to fit them all in.

I guess that's where flexibility is a must and all of those above have it.

[doggies ftw]

I agree don't rush him for the sake of it, but he sounds pretty fit and I reckon he might just turn it on early in the VFL and force us to pick him. Pretty excited about his year.

[doggies ftw]

I'm a fan, screams the type to stand up in big finals.

Having said that, I wonder how we'll fit in all these mids? It's a good problem to have on paper, but in 12 months time one of Hrovat/Bonts/Clay/Stevens will probably play more VFL than AFL, and yet I really rate all of them. Hopefully we find a way to fit them all in.

I guess that's where flexibility is a must and all of those above have it.

I reckon we can figure something out, they will have to push the older guys out but Boyd, Murph and Gia aren't going to be around for too much longer, although I hope and think Murph will play next year and way too much to happen before you could make a call for the year after. And while Boyd probably has another year in him I really just think that if our younger guys step up again in the middle then he might find himself in the position Cross did, unless he can reinvent himself which is quite possible, maybe he could work as a forward.

[soupman]

We are probably looking at having 3 tall defenders, 1-2 pure defenders, 1 ruck and at least 2 tall forwards with one playing backup ruck, leaving 14 spots for midfielders with many rotating through the forward line and one or two playing predominately half back.

You would imagine the group of mids would include Wallis, Bontempelli, Dahlhaus, Macrae, Smith, Griffen, Cooney, Liberatore, Hrovat, Stevens and Hunter with Higgins, Tutt, Honeychurch, Prudden, Darley, Greenwood and Jong all contending to fit into that frame. Crameri and Stringer will also be maybes as part of the midfield rotation.

So that's a core group of 11 plus one of Crameri and Stringer and maybe Higgins if they don't fall under the defender or forward category. Leaves room for 1-2 more additions plus depth.

*This is for 2016 onwards btw.

[Greystache]

I'm a fan, screams the type to stand up in big finals.

Having said that, I wonder how we'll fit in all these mids? It's a good problem to have on paper, but in 12 months time one of Hrovat/Bonts/Clay/Stevens will probably play more VFL than AFL, and yet I really rate all of them. Hopefully we find a way to fit them all in.

I guess that's where flexibility is a must and all of those above have it.

It's a valid concern. I guess that's where Clay's ability around goal could serve both him and us well.

[doggies ftw]

It's a valid concern. I guess that's where Clay's ability around goal could serve both him and us well.

I've been pretty impressed with Koby Stevens' forward work too, good hands on the lead and usually slots his goals. Anyone else reckon Bontempelli could maybe play CHF? He's got the height, big tank, great skills, a good mark and knows how to find the goals. And also agile and really good on the ground, reckon he could maybe play the lead up CHF role (with stints in the midfield)with Jones and/or Campbell deeper.

Hrovat I'm not too sure about his forward craft yet but they are trying to develop it, and he will be bloody good in the middle anyway, reckon he could be pretty handy on a wing even early this season.

[Twodogs]

We are probably looking at having 3 tall defenders, 1-2 pure defenders, 1 ruck and at least 2 tall forwards with one playing backup ruck, leaving 14 spots for midfielders with many rotating through the forward line and one or two playing predominately half back.

You would imagine the group of mids would include Wallis, Bontempelli, Dahlhaus, Macrae, Smith, Griffen, Cooney, Liberatore, Hrovat, Stevens and Hunter with Higgins, Tutt, Honeychurch, Prudden, Darley, Greenwood and Jong all contending to fit into that frame. Crameri and Stringer will also be maybes as part of the midfield rotation.

So that's a core group of 11 plus one of Crameri and Stringer and maybe Higgins if they don't fall under the defender or forward category. Leaves room for 1-2 more additions plus depth.

*This is for 2016 onwards btw.

Pierce has done some nice things in a couple of the practice matches. He's been on the list a while now. He could be a bit of a smokey this year.