IT HAS been a little more than two seasons since Isaac Smith first breathed his unique brand of energy and enthusiasm into the Hawthorn team.
The hard-running wingman from country NSW, via Ballarat, was a revelation from the moment he made his debut against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round seven, 2011.
Fifty-one games on, and Smith will return to AAMI Stadium on Saturday a vastly improved player.
Although he's not finding a truckload more of the football – still averaging around 18 disposals per game – the 24-year-old has added extra strings to his bow.
He has become better at the defensive aspects of the game, and a summer spent working hard on winning contested ball is also paying off, with almost a third of his possessions in 2013 contested.
"It was definitely something I worked on over the pre-season," Smith told AFL.com.au this week.
"Playing on the wing, it's a little bit hard sometimes to go in there and actually get those contested possessions, so you're a little bit limited in your opportunity.
"But if you do get an opportunity in a game, you've got to take it.
"That's what I've been working on."
Smith was a natural big-game player from early in his career, turning in some of his best performances of 2011 during the finals.
Taking his game to the next level, he feels, is a matter of maintaining focus for entire games.
"It's probably about time that I really start to establish myself and put in some big performances, because I've been there and done my apprenticeship now," Smith said.
"It's just having a consistent impact over four quarters."
Following the defection of Clinton Young to Collingwood during the off-season, Smith has a new wing partner in young West Australian Bradley Hill.
The pair is charged with adding the zip to a Hawthorn midfield renowned for its in-and-under ability.
"'Hilly' has been really good," Smith said.
"He's still finding his feet in AFL footy at the moment, but in the next couple of years he's going to be one to watch.
"When he gets it, you know he's going to take it on and try to break the game open.
"He's still learning the game – he's only 19 – so he's going to be a very good player."
Young's departure was felt by Smith, who was pleased to see his old teammate finally make his first appearance for the Magpies last week.
"It's always a shame to lose anyone that's been in a successful team," Smith said.
"If you go past the whole AFL thing, and it being a business and everything, it's still a footy club.
"When you lose someone who has been good value around the place, it's a shame.
"But there a bigger and uglier people making decisions for the betterment of the club.
"It was sad to see him go – he's a good fella. But we'll push on."
Pushing on for the Hawks means pressing for a top two spot at the end of the home and away season, which would earn a home qualifying final – the strongest place from which to challenge for a premiership.
After successive finals disappointments in his first two seasons, Smith is excited by what might be to come.
"We're in a good position, and hopefully we can continue to roll on," he said.
