GEELONG has continued its productive off-season by snaring 205cm ruckman Zac Smith from Gold Coast.
The Cats have sent their two third-round picks in this year’s draft to the Suns in exchange for the 25-year-old big man.
A born and bred Queenslander, Smith played soccer during his early teenage years before taking up Australian Rules at the age of 16.
He improved his footy skills so quickly that he soon caught the eye of the people putting together Gold Coast’s inaugural squad.
Smith became the fourth player to sign with the Suns, and he was a star in their team that played in the TAC Cup in 2009.
After being named as the ruckman in the ’09 TAC Cup team of the year, Smith improved further when Gold Coast stepped up and played in the VFL in 2010.
He became a member of the Suns’ first AFL squad, and was part of the club’s AFL debut against Carlton at the Gabba in 2011.
Smith won a NAB Rising Star nomination after a dominant performance in the first QClash, which was won by Gold Coast in a major upset.
His career hit a snag when he suffered a serious knee injury in a game against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium in May 2013.
He returned to the Suns’ AFL team almost exactly a year later, then played 10 games before his season was ended by an ankle problem.
Smith played 11 AFL games in 2015, averaging 11 disposals and 25 hit-outs per game.
Cats coach Chris Scott was thrilled with the acquisiton of Smith, who has notched a total of 65 AFL games.
“We were looking to add to our ruck depth and we are very happy to have been able to add a player of Zac’s talent and experience to our list,” he said.
“Ruckmen tend to mature later than other types of players, and Zac is coming into a time where he will improve his game with the experience he has gathered.
"He has shown talent and resiliency throughout his career and we see our environment as being conducive to his continued development.”
Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft thanked Smith for his time with the Suns.
“Zac has been a foundation member of our club, and has made a valuable contribution during his time on the Gold Coast,” Ashcroft said.
“We wish Zac, and his wife Aimee, all the very best for the future.”
At Geelong, Smith will work alongside fellow big men Mark Blicavs, Rhys Stanley, Mitch Clark, Nathan Vardy, Tom Read and Padraig Lucey.
In the wake of the Smith deal, the Cats find themselves without a selection in the first three rounds of the upcoming national draft.
Their first pick will come in the fourth round (currently no. 67).
THE ZAC SMITH DEAL
Geelong receives: Zac Smith
Gold Coast receives: Two third-round picks in this year’s draft, currently numbers 49 and 53 (pick 53 came from Adelaide as part of the Patrick Dangerfield deal)
Zac Smith in action for Gold Coast against the Swans in round 23, 2015
