Roarke Smith

[soupman]

So that's why you have him train at the club and make the call at the National Draft.
On one hand we are saying he's better than anyone we will get with a late pick but on the other we are really not that confident with his injuries and as a result we are only half in with a one year deal.

Can't see why you are so hellbent on a 2 year deal.

If he was a draftee he would get a 2 year deal, but he isn't a draftee. He's a 3 year rookie with multiple knee recos. Even if we do believe in him more than a draftee it doesn't mean we have to give him the terms that draftee would have gotten.

There is nothing to be gained at all from our pov in giving him a 2 year deal. No matter how much you have faith in his ability, offering an extra year to a fringe mid sized defender with injury issues can only end up not in your favour. Also from his pov, the contract is likely to be close to minimum wage (AFL minimum, not real world minimum). If he plays games next year which is obviously the plan it means he can negotiate a better deal for himself as well.

[GVGjr]

Can't see why you are so hellbent on a 2 year deal.

If he was a draftee he would get a 2 year deal, but he isn't a draftee. He's a 3 year rookie with multiple knee recos. Even if we do believe in him more than a draftee it doesn't mean we have to give him the terms that draftee would have gotten.

There is nothing to be gained at all from our pov in giving him a 2 year deal. No matter how much you have faith in his ability, offering an extra year to a fringe mid sized defender with injury issues can only end up not in your favour. Also from his pov, the contract is likely to be close to minimum wage (AFL minimum, not real world minimum). If he plays games next year which is obviously the plan it means he can negotiate a better deal for himself as well.

I would wait until the draft and make the assessment if he was better than what is in front of us. I just think it's smacks of inconsistency for some to say he is better than what we will get late in the draft (I still don't know haw anyone makes that call) but then use the fail safe in that we would only offer a 1 year deal. Either we are sure he is worth a spot or we aren't.
More than happy if they offer a 1 year deal but lets wait until the draft happens and make the call them

[boydogs]

Either we are sure he is worth a spot or we aren't

I don't think he is but I thought the same with Prudden. Do we regret keeping Prudden on, or was it the right thing to do?

[Go_Dogs]

I haven't seen enough of Smith (has anyone, really?) and agree the pending decision to add him to the senior list is a strange one, particularly at this stage. We've demonstrated the ability to pick up prospects with upside late in the ND over recent years and like GVG said, is Smith ahead or have more upside than some others who may not be offered another contract? I suppose in the eyes of the club he must, but with his injury history there's got to be concerns he may not be the same player with the leap and speed that made him an attractive proposition to begin with.

[jazzadogs]

Honeychurch has been given chances at AFL level and in the eyes of those in charge has likely not done enough to be retained.

Roarke has had limited opportunities due to injury, but has made the most of the chances that he has had. If we could keep him on the rookie list we would, but I do think that another club would take him if he was put back into the draft. Therefore promotion is the only option.

[Axe Man]

Luckless Bulldog eyes half-back spot

AFTER a year of uncertainty, luckless Western Bulldogs youngster Roarke Smith can see his promising career taking a turn for the better in 2018.

The 21-year-old, who has played just two career games, has endured two knee reconstructions since late 2015, with the latest mishap occurring during last year's JLT Community Series.

Then, after three years on the rookie list, Smith had to be delisted and redrafted under AFL rules at the end of last season if the Dogs wanted him to remain at Whitten Oval.

With the club keeping their promise of reselecting him as rookie, the athletic defender is rejuvenated and eyeing one of the positions vacated by retired club greats Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd.

"I was over the moon to be redrafted after a stressful year of not being able to prove myself on the field," Smith told AFL.com.au from the club's training camp in Mooloolaba.

"I just tried to show the club my dedication with my rehabilitation, but (the coaches) obviously see something in me, and I don’t want to let them down.

"I'll probably start the season with a few games in the VFL, but by mid-year I can see myself on a half-back flank (in the senior side).

"But there are a lot of young boys at the club who really need to step up with 'Bob' and 'Boydy' gone."

Smith will be vying for those spots with a host of teammates, as former Docker Hayden Crozier and draftee Ed Richards have also been earmarked as running defenders alongside regulars Jason Johannisen, Shane Biggs and Bailey Williams.

Smith will compete free of any mental scares from his injury misfortune, with his return to full training this week completed without concern for his left knee.

"We had a practice match yesterday, which was my first one (of the pre-season), and I didn't even think about my knee at all," he said.

"After doing a second knee you know a lot more, and I've had a few of the boys at the club who have done ACLs supporting me.

"I've done a few tests and the results have come back that my legs are a lot stronger than they were, so hopefully that's the end of it all."

While he has been compared to his captain Easton Wood due to his athleticism and knack of taking an intercept mark, he also shares similar attributes to Bulldog great and club development manager Rohan Smith.

Smith was a trailblazer for the modern-day defensive playmaker, characteristically rebounding off half-back during 300 games in the red, white and blue.

"I'm pretty close with Rohan and have learnt a lot off him," Roarke Smith said.

"He was a superstar who played 300 games for our club and played a similar way to the way I do, so his tips have come in real handy."

A gifted and passionate skateboarder, Smith didn't need the Dogs to warn him of the perils of sport with a history of accidents.

"I've put my skateboard in the wardrobe for a bit and it will come back out when I've finished football," he said.

"I definitely miss it; all my friends still do it and sometimes I watch them go for skate.

"It's not worth the risk because I'd rather be playing footy any day of the week."

[Twodogs]

Heh! Bubba and Roarke are founding members of the R. Smith club.

[Axe Man]

Heh! Bubba and Roarke are founding members of the R. Smith club.

Is the R. Smith club for Bulldogs only because there are a couple of blokes called Ross that could be members?

[Twodogs]

Is the R. Smith club for Bulldogs only because there are a couple of blokes called Ross that could be members?

True. There is even a Brownlow medallist amongst them.

[SonofScray]

True. There is even a Brownlow medallist amongst them.

I played footy with Jesse Smith, son of Ross Smith (ex-Nth Melbourne). From memory, Ross is a terrific bloke, always very supportive of me as a young fella plugging away at CHB in a side full of kids that would end up getting drafted. Generous with his time, a good coach. Jess had a wretched run with injury, but gee he could play.

[Sedat]

I often wonder if Roarke's parents were massive fans of The Smiths and named their son after the bass player Andy Roarke. Nice work if they did, and a much better choice than going with the more obvious Morrissey Smith - Marr Smith doesn't really work either.

[Twodogs]

I played footy with Jesse Smith, son of Ross Smith (ex-Nth Melbourne). From memory, Ross is a terrific bloke, always very supportive of me as a young fella plugging away at CHB in a side full of kids that would end up getting drafted. Generous with his time, a good coach. Jess had a wretched run with injury, but gee he could play.

I remember Ross Smith. Tough as nails is the phrase that comes to mind.

I often wonder if Roarke's parents were massive fans of The Smiths and named their son after the bass player Andy Roarke. Nice work if they did, and a much better choice than going with the more obvious Morrissey Smith - Marr Smith doesn't really work either.

Joyce Smith? After the drummer

[Sedat]

Joyce Smith? After the drummer

Maybe that's his sister

[ledge]

I'm a big fan of Rourke he reminds me of Wood , can jump and take a good mark, can run off and kick well , let's hope his knee injuries haven't put an end to his strengths.

[Twodogs]

I'm a big fan of Rourke he reminds me of Wood , can jump and take a good mark, can run off and kick well , let's hope his knee injuries haven't put an end to his strengths.

It will depend on how the structural integrity (that's a horrible thing to have to say about one of someone's joints) in his knee stands up to the crash and bash of AFL. He's Just the same chance of doing a knee as anyone else I reckon after all the work he would have put into his rehab over the last few years. Maybe less, I dunno.