Bradley P. Smith
Encyclopedia
Bradley Phillip "Brad" Smith (born 11 May 1979) is a former Australian rules football
er, who played for in the West Australian Football League
(WAFL) from 1998–2009. He was also listed with the West Coast Eagles
in the Australian Football League
(AFL) from 2005–06, but not play a game for the club due to two knee reconstructions.
. He considered nominating for the 1997 AFL Draft
, but other interests put his AFL career on hold. Over time he began to re-emerge as a solid tall forward playing for Subiaco in the WAFL
, kicking 109 goals in 2004, winning the Bernie Naylor Medal
for leading goalkicker.
.
Smith was considered a key prospect for the full forward position, due to the West Coast Eagles
' lack of quality key position
forwards.
injury
during a pre-season practice match. He required a knee reconstruction, an injury which sidelined him for the 2005 season.
His bad luck continued, and in the 2006 pre-season he injured the same knee
during a routine training drill. This injury required yet another reconstruction, ruling him out for the entire 2006 season.
He finished off the 2008 season with 110 goals and another premiership under his belt.
Smith retired after the 2009 season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, who played for in the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WAFL) from 1998–2009. He was also listed with the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL) from 2005–06, but not play a game for the club due to two knee reconstructions.
Early career
Smith was the son of former Geelong and West Perth forward Phil SmithPhil Smith (Australian footballer)
Phil Smith was an Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong in the Victorian Football League and West Perth in the West Australian National Football League...
. He considered nominating for the 1997 AFL Draft
1997 AFL Draft
The 1997 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1997 Australian Football League season. A pre-season draft was also held prior to the 1998 season....
, but other interests put his AFL career on hold. Over time he began to re-emerge as a solid tall forward playing for Subiaco in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
, kicking 109 goals in 2004, winning the Bernie Naylor Medal
Bernie Naylor Medal
The Bernie Naylor Medal is an Australian rules football award which is given to the leading goalkicker at the end of each home and away season in the West Australian Football League. It is named after South Fremantle full-forward Bernie Naylor...
for leading goalkicker.
West Coast Eagles
He was drafted by the West Coast Eagles at pick 57 in the 2004 AFL draft2004 AFL Draft
The 2004 AFL Draft, concerning player acquisitions in the 2004/05 Australian Football League off-season, consisted of a trade period, a national draft, a pre-season draft, and the elevation of rookies...
.
Smith was considered a key prospect for the full forward position, due to the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
' lack of quality key position
Key position
In the sport of Australian rules football, a "key position" refers to positions on the ground that are considered vital to the structure of a team.Key position players make up what is known as the "spine" of a team...
forwards.
Knee problems
Early in 2005 he suffered a severe kneeKnee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury
Australian rules football injuries
Australian rules football is a sport known for its high level of physical body contact compared to other sports such as soccer and basketball. High impact collisions can occur from any direction, although deliberate collisions from front-on...
during a pre-season practice match. He required a knee reconstruction, an injury which sidelined him for the 2005 season.
His bad luck continued, and in the 2006 pre-season he injured the same knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
during a routine training drill. This injury required yet another reconstruction, ruling him out for the entire 2006 season.
Return to WAFL
He was delisted by the West Coast Eagles at the end of the 2006 season and returned to Subiaco.He finished off the 2008 season with 110 goals and another premiership under his belt.
Smith retired after the 2009 season.