Naitanui shrugged off recent criticism of his form, destroying Gold Coast with 22 disposals, 34 hit-outs, six clearances and six tackles to be a dominant factor in his team's three-point win.
It was the first time Smith had his colours significantly lowered since returning from a full knee reconstruction in round nine against St Kilda.
He had 15 disposals, 19 hit-outs and seven tackles of his own, but the 24-year-old said being beaten by Naitanui was a huge learning experience.
"I think I went into the game with the wrong mindset; I was trying to beat him in leaping to the ball and it definitely didn't work," Smith said.
"I'm glad we get to play them in a couple of months time at Metricon (round 23) and I get to prove myself against him again."
Smith said once Naitanui began to run riot, he wasn't sure what to do.
He said before the next encounter he would do more homework on ruckmen that had success against him – like North Melbourne's Todd Goldstein – and use his body more rather than trying to outleap him.
"I suppose I didn't really have that Plan B and I had to scramble," Smith admitted.
"I talked to (assistant coach) Matty Primus during quarter-time and by that time it's hard to come up with a Plan B if you don't already have it there.
"I'm staying positive. I think I still did OK around the ground, had a few tackles, got a bit of the ball. It's not the end of the world, it's only one game."
Smith plays his 50th game against Geelong on Saturday and said he still had hopes of becoming the premier ruckman in the competition.
The 205cm Suns original has pace, agility and endurance, but says he need to become more consistent.
"You've got to have belief in yourself," he said.
"I know I've got a lot of improvement still to go. That's what you want to do as a player, is be the best in your position, and that's what I want to get to."
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
