Eyebrows were raised when Roarke Smith dished up a 23-touch career-best showing against Port Adelaide. Alas it was an outlier, having never surpassed the 70 threshold in his fringe career. It's not entirely his fault: two knee reconstructions have impacted the athletic defender's progression. As a rookie-listed player, Smith is highly unlikely to become a mainstay in the lineup. Leather poisoning has never been on the menu anyway. Don't waste your time.
Roarke's short shrift
Eyebrows were raised when Roarke Smith dished up a 23-touch career-best showing against Port Adelaide. Alas it was an outlier, having never surpassed the 70 threshold in his fringe career. It's not entirely his fault: two knee reconstructions have impacted the athletic defender's progression. As a rookie-listed player, Smith is highly unlikely to become a mainstay in the lineup. Leather poisoning has never been on the menu anyway. Don't waste your time.
New year, new Roarke
A continual hard luck story throughout his AFL career, Roarke Smith enjoyed a change in fortunes with ten senior appearances during the 2018 season. Suffering consecutive ACL injuries across the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Smith was used primarily across half back last season. Entering the team in round 10, the Bulldog enjoyed eight straight senior appearances which included a career-high 16 touches against the Eagles. Smith enters the upcoming campaign seeking further continuity and development in his football craft. Used as both a defender and midfielder at VFL level, it remains to be seen whether coach Luke Beveridge will send Smith into the engine room in 2019. He has been a proficient ball user and tackler, but Smith will need to improve as a ball winner to establish himself. He has shown nothing to suggest he should be selected for fantasy.
Roarke keeps drifting
A second ACL rupture before the start of last season meant Roarke Smith starts his fourth year on an AFL list with 25 VFL games and two senior appearances to his name. He improved his disposal rate at the lower level from 13 to 22 the previous year. There are a few spots available at half back this year, but the club is likely to be conservative with Smith and see if he can build match fitness in the twos before a later venture into the seniors.
