Josh Smillie [merged]

[Simonator]

I’m not worried yet

No doubt he has the ability and talent

[MintOnLamb]

Any reports on Josh??

[one-eyed]

Yze gives update on Smillie

After wrapping up Richmond’s exit and season review meetings for 2025, Adem Yze joined SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning to provide updates on key players.

Yze was questioned on the progress of draftee Josh Smillie, who is yet to make his much-anticipated AFL debut.

“He is travelling well, he has been out there training, and I’ve seen him over the last few days,” Yze said.

“He got his body to a position (this season) where he was really unlucky and unfortunate not to play VFL finals, but he was really close to getting that exposure late in the year.

“He is a highly talented kid, and realistically, we got two first-round picks coming in this year, and we can add Josh to that as well, because he hasn’t tasted AFL yet.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1896827/yze-gives-update-on-smillie-and-balta

[WilliamPowell]

Pity our media team hasn't included (anywhere) the discussion around how much of a pre-season 1st year draftees do and the management of them

[one-eyed]

"Josh Smillie is the one I’m keen to see, if they get him to play good footy it’ll complete their 2024 draft" 💪

@barrettdamian and Kate McCarthy discuss all things Richmond on the latest episode of AFL Daily:


https://www.afl.com.au/news/1448115/listen-the-senior-tigers-under-the-pump-in-2026-rule-changes-unpacked

[Andyy]

I hear the kid is lazy, maybe unprofessional.

Source: a teacher from his school

[ajGreen]

I hear the kid is lazy, maybe unprofessional.

Source: a teacher from his school

Tauru was right there

[WilliamPowell]

I hear the kid is lazy, maybe unprofessional.

Source: a teacher from his school

Well my counter argument would be that is clearly not the case now seeing he along with a number of the other kids have been training daily (unofficially) at the club when they're supposed to be on hoiliday

It can take a bit of time for the penny to drop for some; especially when things have come was for them in the past

Expect him to debut round 1 in 2026 

[Tiger Khosh]

I hear the kid is lazy, maybe unprofessional.

Source: a teacher from his school

Don’t see the point in posting this about an 18-19 year old kid from an average at best source.

Whether it’s true or not you know people will now jump on it at every single opportunity, plays an avg game or picks up a niggle.

Just gives people another reason to pile on based on an unsubstantiated rumour.

[TigerLand]

I hear the kid is lazy, maybe unprofessional.

Source: a teacher from his school

I wouldn't think many school teachers would know much about what it takes to be an elite athlete.

Ask Lleyton Hewitt what his teachers thought. Reckon Dusty's teachers weren't overly positive either.

[Andyy]

Well my counter argument would be that is clearly not the case now seeing he along with a number of the other kids have been training daily (unofficially) at the club when they're supposed to be on hoiliday

It can take a bit of time for the penny to drop for some; especially when things have come was for them in the past

Expect him to debut round 1 in 2026 

Penny may have dropped, may have been a 2025 issue only. Time will tell. I hope he plays R1.

Don’t see the point in posting this about an 18-19 year old kid from an average at best source.

Whether it’s true or not you know people will now jump on it at every single opportunity, plays an avg game or picks up a niggle.

Just gives people another reason to pile on based on an unsubstantiated rumour.

Source isn't average. Teacher is a direct family member of mine and taught Smillie in VCE. He grew huge and dominated, has had to learn the amount of work it takes to succeed at AFL is much higher than high school etc.

I wouldn't think many school teachers would know much about what it takes to be an elite athlete.

Ask Lleyton Hewitt what his teachers thought. Reckon Dusty's teachers weren't overly positive either.

To be good at anything at the top level I think it's fair to say you need to work hard, be consistent etc. Laziness and compacency won't help.

Don't have to be an elite athlete to make that deduction about top level sports.

[Tiger Khosh]

Teacher is an average source when talking about a sportsman. I get your point in that someone who shows good behaviour and dedication to their studies can also be taken as a sign of their overall work ethic but it’s not always the case. Some kids just aren’t interested/good at school and I’d imagine someone who knew they would be a top draft pick might slack off in maths/english/science class.

Teachers also know how to hold a grudge, any kid that misbehaves or doesn’t show interest in their class they label as lazy.

A teacher saying someone they taught at 17/18 years of age as unprofessional is pretty wild. They’re a kid they aren’t supposed to be professional just be definition lol.

I know some of my teachers wouldn’t have glowing things to say about me and I got damn good results.

[WilliamPowell]

On your last sentence I can relate,  happened to me

I had an English teacher in year 11 tell me I was lazy in class and would never get to uni and get a degree...

My HSC as it was called back then were excellent. I did end up going to Uni got that degree again with great results...fair to say he got it wrong

[Andyy]

Not talking about his studies but whatever

Sounds like you know him intimately

[Tiger Khosh]

Nah just don’t see the need in posting that about a 19 year old when all it’s gonna do is feed into more negative hateful posts.

Don’t know him from Adam, but like any of our young drafted players I’m very excited to see him play and hope he becomes a star.