On the back of an impressive 2012 finals campaign in which he was arguably Adelaide's best player, Smith was tearing up the track, much to the delight of his coaches.
He was lifting personal-best numbers in the gym too, and had added 4kg to his 189cm frame, weighing in at 88kg.
But when the 21-year-old broke his left collarbone in a NAB Cup game against Port Adelaide, he lost it all.
Months of tireless work in the gym were wiped from his body in the space of a fortnight.
He told AFL.com.au the experience was "shattering".
"I'd gotten my strength to a level that I thought was a good level to have and I really worked hard – then pretty much had that all taken away in a week or two," Smith said.
"It was pretty shattering, especially for a guy like me; I have to work pretty hard to put weight on.
"I don't think I lifted a weight for about four weeks [after the injury], it was actually pretty surprising how quick you can lose it compared to how long it takes to put it on.
"I pretty much lost everything I had gained ... I got to about 88kg and that dropped down to 84kg."
Such was the severity of the break that Smith said even now – months after the injury – his collarbone still hurt during particular exercises.
Size and power understandably took a backseat to his fitness when he returned to training and he'll have to lift the same weights again next summer to recover the strength his injury stole.
But while he missed the first four rounds of the season, Smith said he took enormous confidence from his promotion to the senior side after just one SANFL outing.
It helped make up for a lost pre-season in the gym.
"Being able to come in and play some good footy gives me that confidence that I probably lost from losing that strength," he said.
"At the same time I'm still feeling strong. Nick Poulos and all weights guys at the club have been really good and given me a program to get me back to a good level.
"Even without that weight I'm still feeling strong out on the field."
Smith's confidence in his ability and role in the team has been obvious in his six games since his return in round five.
He's averaged a career-high 18 disposals per match and was one of the Crows' best in last weekend's narrow loss to Fremantle with 21 touches and seven inside 50s.
His form will be heavily tested this weekend against the Sydney Swans though, as will that of his teammates.
"They're in a good position to have a go at the flag again this year so it's a really good challenge for us this weekend," he said of the reigning premiers.
"It's important we get a big scalp this weekend ... going into the bye we'd like a couple of wins to go to 7-5.
"It'd be a good message to the rest of the competition and to ourselves that we can beat a top side."
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry
