MOUNTAINEERS and recruiting gurus know one important thing: there is more than one way to make it to the top.
Some AFL draftees are the sort of kids who snuggled a Sherrin in their cot, started kicking torpies before their third birthday, and spent school years memorising Brownlow vote tallies from Carji Greeves to Jimmy Bartel.
However, others take a different route to the big league.
Zac Smith is the most recent example. When the lanky 18-year-old from Rockhampton signed with the emerging Gold Coast AFL club in early August it marked an astounding elevation.
Twenty-one months prior to inking his Gold Coast contract, Smith had never kicked an Aussie Rules ball apart from mucking around in the schoolyard.
After some mates at North Rockhampton High School invited him to try their sport in October 2006, he did summer training with the AFL Capricornia Development Squad then played for the Glenmore Bulls (the home club of young Kangaroo and NAB Rising Star nominee Gavin Urquhart) in 2007.
Several things have helped him rise faster than the Batwing Spaceshot at Movieworld.
Firstly, he stands 204cm in his socks. That sort of stature is obviously an enormous advantage for a wannabe ruckman.
Secondly, he has demonstrated a high degree of athleticism. Soccer was Smith’s game until recently, and he represented Queensland at junior level in both outdoor and indoor soccer.
Thirdly, he has the luxury of time. A three-year contract with GC17 will give him the opportunity to mature and watch his role model, Jamie Charman.
While Smith’s ascension is a great story, the bigger story is what it means for Australian Rules in a region where footy has not traditionally been strong.
AFL Capricornia Regional Manager Scott Smithwick says that Smith’s signing has, “created quite a stir in Rockhampton. He has been getting a lot of media attention.
“It certainly seems that it creates excitement among the junior ranks. Gavin and Zac both came from Glenmore club so they are riding high.
“With GC17, it is very encouraging for the young players because it offers them an easier shot to stay in Queensland.
There is a lot more interest in the school competitions now. Whenever I go out they are asking more and more questions about those two boys, given the AFL more publicity than in the past.”
Smithwick plays for Brothers in the local league, the home club of surprise Western Bulldogs draftee Paul O’Shea. “When Paul was drafted it was a huge morale booster for our club.
“People think, ‘He can do it, maybe another kid who goes through the same process can do it’. It encourages kids a lot more. If their dream is to play AFL footy it doesn’t seem so far away.”
While Smith will always regard Glenmore Bulls as his first footy home, he was not with the club for long. After his talent was spotted, he was invited to the AFL/AIS Academy squad camp at the end of 2007 and moved with his family to Brisbane at the start of this year. He has spent 2008 with the Zillmere Eagles in the AFL Queensland Velocity Sports Cup.
Glenmore President Peter Moore has no doubt that Smith’s success is shared by the club. “It is huge for us,” Moore says. “Our younger player in particular really look up to kids like Zac and Gavin when they get through.
“It’s an inspiration. A lot of kids in Zac’s age group were the ones who encouraged him to play with us. It was their efforts that got him into AFL, so they have real ownership of what Zac is doing, and great friendships.
“It helps us lift the profile of our sport, and increase its acceptance in the community. Other teenagers learn that AFL in Central Queensland can be a pathway to higher things. If you’re good enough, there are opportunities through our local teams.”
Glenmore has not won a premiership in the past two decades. This season five of the six teams finished within 10 points of each other, but the Bulls claimed the minor premiership. If they can take the next step, it will consolidate what has been a great year for Rockhampton football.
