Kaleb Smith [merged]

[WilliamPowell]

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

2026 will actually be his 4th year. Taken in the 2022 draft

I'm genuinely surprised he's been re-contracted.

You're right about him being good at VFL level. That's what I call him "betwixt and between". Too good for VFL but not good enough for AFL.

Will repeat what I posted a few months back. His decsion making is poor. And it's that I reckon will stop him from making it at AFL level. Hope I'm wrong

[ajGreen]

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

Midfield? Seems light years away from Penders Diacos . Ashcroft McCluggage Neal Dunkley

[Andyy]

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

Midfield? Seems light years away from Penders Diacos . Ashcroft McCluggage Neal Dunkley

Who on our list isn't?

Silly comparison.

We're talking about a kid on minimum wage for 1 year ffs

[ajGreen]

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

Midfield? Seems light years away from Penders Diacos . Ashcroft McCluggage Neal Dunkley

Who on our list isn't?

Silly comparison.

We're talking about a kid on minimum wage for 1 year ffs

Isn't the idea of putting people in the middle that you hope the will eventually be grand final caliber midfielders? 

[Andyy]

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

Midfield? Seems light years away from Penders Diacos . Ashcroft McCluggage Neal Dunkley

Who on our list isn't?

Silly comparison.

We're talking about a kid on minimum wage for 1 year ffs

Isn't the idea of putting people in the middle that you hope the will eventually be grand final caliber midfielders? 

Yep hopefully all of Smith, Dow, Sonsie and Ross turn into a pack of Ashcroft, Daicos, Pendles, Mccluggage etc.

[ajGreen]

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

Midfield? Seems light years away from Penders Diacos . Ashcroft McCluggage Neal Dunkley

Who on our list isn't?

Silly comparison.

We're talking about a kid on minimum wage for 1 year ffs

Isn't the idea of putting people in the middle that you hope the will eventually be grand final caliber midfielders? 

Yep hopefully all of Smith, Dow, Sonsie and Ross turn into a pack of Ashcroft, Daicos, Pendles, Mccluggage etc.

And you believe that is possible?

Does he have that level of potential?

Like I said seems light years away currently.

In contention for the worst player in a bad team.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I don’t rate him but would definitely think is worth giving another year. Kid is only 20.

[Andyy]

I don’t rate him but would definitely think is worth giving another year. Kid is only 20.

Yep. Simple really.

[the claw]

Always had a soft spot for him so happy he has another season. In saying that i think he is lucky.
I think he is just too small have stood next to him a few times and i just shake my head.

Good to hear. Absolutely worth persisting with this kid

What do you like about smith ?

Just not sure I see anything worthwhile in him, admittedly thought the same about banks but there sure as hell not room for both

Consistently tears it up at VFL level and I think he's worth a shot in the midfield. He's been on the list two years only, is be giving him another year or two to see if he can bridge the gap to AFL

2026 will actually be his 4th year. Taken in the 2022 draft

I'm genuinely surprised he's been re-contracted.

You're right about him being good at VFL level. That's what I call him "betwixt and between". Too good for VFL but not good enough for AFL.

Will repeat what I posted a few months back. His decsion making is poor. And it's that I reckon will stop him from making it at AFL level. Hope I'm wrong

His 2023 and 2024 were heavily compromised with injury.

For what its worth i agree its his decision making does not do the instinctive atm and second guesses which gets him into trouble, along with his size that holds him back.

Imo not a mid per say HB or Wing is the go and he has very good attributes for both roles. Ball is in his court now reckon next year is make it or go home.

[camboon]

Lucky to get a game in the seniors after 4 seasons so I’m one who thought he would have been delisted , As there has been suggestions that they may delist other players who play regular senior games  the club must see more in him than I do.

[Andyy]

Lucky to get a game in the seniors after 4 seasons so I’m one who thought he would have been delisted , As there has been suggestions that they may delist other players who play regular senior games  the club must see more in him than I do.

2025 apparently his 3rd year after the first two were impacted by injuries.

Hasn't really had a good crack at it.

Hence I'm content to give him a go in 2026. His VFL form indicates he's got some talent and I'm hoping he goes the next step.

Heck, Dow has had way more opportunity and hasn't exactly lit the place up. I'd rather de-list him because I'm more confident he's a bust unfortunately.

[the claw]

Lucky to get a game in the seniors after 4 seasons so I’m one who thought he would have been delisted , As there has been suggestions that they may delist other players who play regular senior games  the club must see more in him than I do.

Isn't that where we are at camboon. Reality year two rebuild  of what will likely take 7 seasons to compete at finals level.

They should be delisting players who play regular senior games but are only so so and most likely have reached their ceiling. Keep em or delist em either way we are not going anywhere with them.

Smith while very disappointing so far has some good reasons to keep him. His attributes for a hb or wing role are great you would expect them with top 10 picks. A bit like us taking Algar he had great attributes and we could not leave him there at pick 58.

Also Smiths  first two seasons with us, you can call it making excuses but they were basically ruined with injury.
Reckon WP hit it on the head when he said its his decision making and id say belief that he belongs, that more than anything is holding him back.
His ceiling if it all comes together is quite high imo hense we are prepared  in just our second year of rebuild to  be a bit more patient with him than in other circumstances and with others who have had a good go at it.

[camboon]

I’m guessing by “we”do you mean Richmond FC. I would agree then that the coaches have a better idea than us on the background and attributes of the players. I’ve always been keen to give players a fair go but if Smith stays and we delist players who show more and regularly play seniors plenty here would want to know why.

[the claw]

I’m guessing by “we”do you mean Richmond FC. I would agree then that the coaches have a better idea than us on the background and attributes of the players. I’ve always been keen to give players a fair go but if Smith stays and we delist players who show more and regularly play seniors plenty here would want to know why.

Why do you need to know from the club, You watch players and those that have been around you have seen a fair bit of.
You must have an opinion on their upside by now.
Their attributes for roles are pretty clear. Smith was a fantastic late pick given the athletic attributes he displayed and his skill set.
They should have had him in contention for top 20 25.

For whatever reason he slipped to us but unfortunately he not  get  a great run at it in his first two seasons thru injuries.

He has not lost his attributes or talent that was displayed by performances at vfl level. To a lesser degree with glimpses at afl.

Given the time frame we have id rather keep him him and see him fail with us than keep a player like say Dow who is as ordinary as possible has probably hit his ceiling  but will offer more in the very short term.
We need to find late gems as well as hoping our early picks are spot on.