CLEM Smith was regarded as the most "naturally gifted" junior from Western Australia this season, so when he fell to Carlton at pick No.60 in this year's NAB AFL Draft, there was some surprise.

 

Smith had been awarded WA's MVP award in the 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, while in the same year he was named an All Australian as a bottom-age player.

 

In 2014 he proved he could impact games consistently with Perth in the WAFL, displaying a trademark relentless - and at times brutal - attack on the football.

 

So why then did Smith slip so far in the pecking order?

 

"It's a good lesson for young players," WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino told AFL.com.au, "The job's never done."

 

Smith turned 18 at the start of this year. He got his licence and enjoyed the newfound freedoms that came with being an adult.

 

It was also the first year he had been removed from boarding at Wesley College, the prestigious school in Perth.

 

Smith had grown used to getting told where to be at certain times. He knew structure and when he didn't have that in his life he became a little lost.

 

After a couple of relatively quiet performances at the championships in the middle of this year, club recruiters started to pick Smith's game apart.

 

Similarly, when he showed up to the NAB AFL Combine and registered high skinfolds and ran a poor 11.12 beep test, the same people began to question his drive and commitment.

 

At the end of the season and in the lead up to the Combine, Guadagnino spoke to Smith about the importance of presenting in optimal condition.

  

"There were plenty of opportunities to keep himself in shape leading into the draft," Guadagninio said.

 

"He probably showed to everybody that he wasn't taking it as seriously as he needed to be to get to the next level."

 

That's why the influence and guidance of Rob Wiley shapes as pivotal in Smith's transition to Victoria.

 

Wiley first laid eyes on Smith when he was coach of the Under-16 Western Australia team in 2012.

 

Wiley was scouting players from an Under-15 Perth development squad when he noticed one youngster attack a couple of ground balls like his life depended on it.

 

"My first impression of Clem was that he was a very talented young man," Wiley said.

 

"Out of all the young kids I've seen and worked with, he's right up at the top shelf in the way he attacks the ball hard."

 

Wiley, now the director of development and coaching at Carlton, understands the character and the type of personality he is dealing with in Smith.

 

Guadagnino is sure Wiley, with his firm but friendly approach, will get the best out of Smith. The first step for the new draftee will be acclimatising to his new surrounds.

 

That should be less of an issue considering Smith moved house a lot as a youngster before settling in with the Christies, his foster family, at the age of 12.

 

 

He has already drawn comparisons to former North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Melbourne tough nut Byron Pickett.

 

"Clem comes with something different to our squad and I think that's exciting," Wiley said.

 

"I really believe picking him at No.60 has been a bit of a steal because he can play footy."