COLLINGWOOD defender Josh Smith was forced to jog the last part of his journey to Friday night's encounter against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium to ensure he made it to the ground on time.

Playing his first game at the stadium, the 22-year-old Queenslander left an hour to get to the ground but had to leave his car with his girlfriend when he realised he would get there quicker on foot. 

Smith made the rooms by time – most clubs need players to be at the ground about two hours before the game – but admitted it was a bit stressful.

"I just jumped out and quickly jogged the rest of the way to get here so I could get here on time," Smith told collingwoodfc.com.au. 

"[I'm] not sure it was ideal preparation but it is what it was."

Amused teammates Jamie Elliott and Corey Gault – who weren't playing – spotted Smith as he ran past them on Flinders Street while they waited patiently in traffic.

They tooted at Smith and were surprised when he came over for a chat.

"He came up to us and wound the window down and had a chat with us for two minutes, said he was late but he is too good of a bloke to not have a chat," Elliott said.

"And then off he went again."

Smith picked up 12 disposals in the first quarter but the Magpies conceded six goals to one in the first 17 minutes, a deficit they were unable to overcome.

Smith is the not the first player to misjudge the time it takes to get to Etihad Stadium.

Former teammate Ben Kennedy had to do the Dandy Dollar Dash to get to Etihad in 2013, sprinting two kilometres to be there on time to play St Kilda in round six, while Melbourne's Bernie Vince hit the panic button when late for one of his first appearances with Melbourne.

Geelong's Tom Ruggles was also stuck in traffic ahead of the game against Carlton this season before he was withdrawn late due to an eye infection.  

Smith, who lives in Ivanhoe, now knows to leave more time when the Magpies play at Etihad Stadium.

"I had heard stories about Etihad and the traffic," Smith said.