Largely playing lead ruck for the Lions' NEAFL side after losing out a preseason positional battle with Stefan Martin, Archie Smith averaged 30 hit outs with not much goalmouth action apart from a haul of four against GWS. He was re-rookied in the off season. Smith has been the understudy to Martin for all of his AFL-listed career but it looks like Chris Fagan wants a different type for his ruck tandem, with others retained on the senior list over him. He does not present as a handcuff option for Martin owners.
Career arc down for Archie
Largely playing lead ruck for the Lions' NEAFL side after losing out a preseason positional battle with Stefan Martin, Archie Smith averaged 30 hit outs with not much goalmouth action apart from a haul of four against GWS. He was re-rookied in the off season. Smith has been the understudy to Martin for all of his AFL-listed career but it looks like Chris Fagan wants a different type for his ruck tandem, with others retained on the senior list over him. He does not present as a handcuff option for Martin owners.
Archie left in the lurch
Chris Fagan said he would throw open the Lions' ruck position at the start of last season. This was Archie Smith's time surely, as Stefan Martin was the wrong side of 30? No. Archie spent the entire year in the NEAFL as Oscar McInerney supported Martin in the seniors, averaging 35 hit outs and 85 fantasy points with only a couple of marks and tackles per game. Smith gets another chance to make the leap this preseason, and fantasy coaches would only consider burning a pick on him if it looks like Martin is genuinely vulnerable. If this situation does change at some point during the year it could make or break fantasy teams featuring these players, so it's worth keeping an eye on early in the year and possibly investing a pick in a handcuff.
Coalface time for Smith
As in 2016, Archie Smith was given only a taste of senior footy last season as the club waits for him to mature. He played mostly forward in six matches around the bye, supporting Stefan Martin. His NEAFL form as lead ruck amounted to averages of 27 hit outs and 81 fantasy points. Any fantasy value for Smith lies in the timing of when he takes over the mantle of lead ruck in the seniors. It can't be too far off, given Martin's age. Going into his fifth year in the system, all signs point to 2018 being the year. He is a serious handcuff option for anyone who drafts Martin.
