What an amazingly insightful read on Jesse Smith

fingers · Post: # 864609Post **fingers** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 10:56am

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/j ... 5807627183

ROUND 5, 2008. It's a long time ago in anyone's language, but for Jesse Smith it feels even longer.

That day 20 months ago was the last time the 23-year-old played an AFL game.

The chronic hamstring problems have been well documented, but Smith has emerged from the gloom in the hope a change of clubs will spark his revival.

After walking out on North Melbourne, Smith was snapped up by St Kilda in the draft with pick No. 60 in a massive gamble.

But Saints coach Ross Lyon said he would back his medical staff. "Our people are really confident they can expand his range of movement. We think we're going to get there," he said.

Smith has suffered six hamstring injuries in two years, limiting him to 27 games in five years for the club at which his father Ross was revered.

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"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated for the last two years," Smith said.

"Dave Misson (St Kilda strength and conditioning manager) has spoken to me a couple of times.

"It's not so much a conditioning thing. It's more my running style because I haven't had any soft-tissue injuries on my left leg.

"It's just about getting the right work through my leg, through my core and through my glutes."

Unforgiven · Mon 07 Dec 2009 11:08am

Reading this, I think getting Smith healthy will be harder than first thought. If it was just a conditioning issue that anyone would be silly not to say that Dave could make a difference, but having the wrong co-ordination and muscle activation is a lot more difficult to change. Either way going by our recent track record, you would think if anyone we could get him right.

bob__71 · Post: # 864615Post **bob__71** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 11:31am

Fingers are you Sam Edmund?

Saint Bev · Post: # 864620Post **Saint Bev** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 12:04pm

At pick 60 we have nothing to loose and everything to gain. I conditioning staff have been terrific, so anything could happen.

fingers · Post: # 864622Post **fingers** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 12:13pm

bob__71 wrote:Fingers are you Sam Edmund?

LOL - I think I should be offended.

saintsRrising · Mon 07 Dec 2009 12:28pm

Unforgiven wrote:Reading this, I think getting Smith healthy will be harder than first thought. If it was just a conditioning issue that anyone would be silly not to say that Dave could make a difference, but having the wrong co-ordination and muscle activation is a lot more difficult to change. Either way going by our recent track record, you would think if anyone we could get him right.

I am not sure of the exact date, but I first heard about this (Smith having to learn to run differently) almost immediately that he was drafted and so I this would have always been part of the consideration when he was drafted and so would not be new.

Unforgiven · Post: # 864631Post **Unforgiven** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 2:00pm

Yeah good call, it's clear the club has confidence in the medical team that they can get him healthy. The club would've known this from the start, but reading the papers until this article I thought it was soft tissue injuries caused by poor conditioning not a technique/activation problem that was the issue.

At the end of the day Bev is spot on, at pick 60 there is nothing to loose.

Moccha · Post: # 864635Post **Moccha** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 3:18pm

3 Roo supporters have left less than flattering comments at the foot of the Herald Sun story. Sounds a bit like Saintsation re Luke Ball

smilk · Post: # 864667Post **smilk** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 7:29pm

they've written this article from the interview jesse and ross made just after he was drafted weeks ago... must be a slow news week

http://sportal.com.au/mediaplayer/audio ... rence-6860

SainterK · Post: # 864672Post **SainterK** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 7:45pm

Here's a cliche for you, he has heaps of "upside"

mick13 · Post: # 864679Post **mick13** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 8:26pm

Moccha wrote:3 Roo supporters have left less than flattering comments at the foot of the Herald Sun story. Sounds a bit like Saintsation re Luke Ball

It's pretty much exactly the same circumstances. Except JWS came out and had a shot at the Roos and their facilities...

I think we should be able to understand more than anyone why they are pissed off at him.

saintnick12 · Mon 07 Dec 2009 9:44pm

mick13 wrote:
Moccha wrote:3 Roo supporters have left less than flattering comments at the foot of the Herald Sun story. Sounds a bit like Saintsation re Luke Ball
It's pretty much exactly the same circumstances. Except JWS came out and had a shot at the Roos and their facilities...

I think we should be able to understand more than anyone why they are pissed off at him.

I was thinking exactly the same thing as I was reading the comments at the bottom of the story. Clearly many Roos supporters are annoyed that he walked out and fair enough. Hopefully their loss will be our gain. Might help some get over the whole Luke Ball saga.

Milan Faletic · Mon 07 Dec 2009 10:48pm

From all sources, it seems that if he can get over his hamstring problems he could be a top pick up. Then I do wonder why Matt Maguire was given the same chance....or maybe he was. I do believe in our fitness staff so I am happy for them to go with Smith. I mean how many GF's have we actually played in, in the last 100 years.

evertonfc · Post: # 864704Post **evertonfc** » Mon 07 Dec 2009 10:58pm

Point of contention:

At pick 60, it is not a "massive" gamble. At that pick, it's a calculated risk.

If he was plucked in the first round, that's a high risk. Second round? Sure, even that's something of a risk. Quite a lot of good young talent still exists at that point.

But using pick 60 on a 23-year old with immense talent, no attitude problems and in need of a fresh break is not a "massive" risk is anyone's language.

If he doesn't come off, it's not a problem. He's actually considerably less of a risk than most 60+ picks.

I see what young Sam Edmund was trying to get at but that's just a little too sensationalist for my liking.

smilk · Post: # 864728Post **smilk** » Tue 08 Dec 2009 12:01am

saintnick12 wrote:
mick13 wrote:
Moccha wrote:3 Roo supporters have left less than flattering comments at the foot of the Herald Sun story. Sounds a bit like Saintsation re Luke Ball
It's pretty much exactly the same circumstances. Except JWS came out and had a shot at the Roos and their facilities...

I think we should be able to understand more than anyone why they are pissed off at him.
I was thinking exactly the same thing as I was reading the comments at the bottom of the story. Clearly many Roos supporters are annoyed that he walked out and fair enough. Hopefully their loss will be our gain. Might help some get over the whole Luke Ball saga.

I wouldn't compare it to the ball saga at all... it's closer to x's story if anything. The guy hasn't played in over a year and a half and wanted a fresh start to get his career back on track - big deal. The poor guy has one last crack at getting over these injuries and wants to give himself the best opportunity possible.

Worth reading this article for an insight into his reasoning:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/r ... 5786062715

saintsRrising · Tue 08 Dec 2009 12:14am

smilk wrote:

I wouldn't compare it to the ball saga at all... it's closer to x's story if anything. The guy hasn't played in over a year and a half and wanted a fresh start to get his career back on track - big deal. The poor guy has one last crack at getting over these injuries and wants to give himself the best opportunity possible.

Plus one actively work with another club to leave...including participating in training sessions with said club while also scoring $500 K per year maintaining his overpaid player status.

Batnoe · Post: # 864740Post **Batnoe** » Tue 08 Dec 2009 12:41am

i am happy with the pick

i hope he comes on

I am sure he can if he really wants to, but some bodies just arent made of the rigours of AFL unfortunately!!

If he could get his running right and strengthen his ankle then could be a huge asset

Milan Faletic · Tue 08 Dec 2009 12:41am

Once again, I have no idea who this Luke guy is. Selective amnesia or Heath Black Syndrome

Teflon · Post: # 864905Post **Teflon** » Tue 08 Dec 2009 9:39pm

Totally different to the Ball saga.

IF the incoming coach tells you he cant full time staff-up a strength and conditioning team - regardless of new buildings/equipment - and you are on 1 last chance to play AFL........its hard to blame the bloke.

I understand Nth fans dont want to lose the talent but I think he's being honest.....at least he didnt 'text' the club from O/S to say hes out...

jmac101 · Post: # 864914Post **jmac101** » Tue 08 Dec 2009 11:28pm

well..look at it this way...by losing x. clarke, m. maguire and l. ball..we really needed to draft someone in to give the medical staff something to do. those three guys + m.gardiner have been the most medically intensive guys on our list over the last three years...maybe ross thinks that without a challenge our medical team will get bored...therefore jess smith gets drafted and gives them something to work a miracle on..

Milan Faletic · Tue 08 Dec 2009 11:51pm

jmac101 wrote:well..look at it this way...by losing x. clarke, m. maguire and l. ball..we really needed to draft someone in to give the medical staff something to do. those three guys + m.gardiner have been the most medically intensive guys on our list over the last three years...maybe ross thinks that without a challenge our medical team will get bored...therefore jess smith gets drafted and gives them something to work a miracle on..

I like it

Moccha · Post: # 864923Post **Moccha** » Wed 09 Dec 2009 12:06am

Teflon wrote:Totally different to the Ball saga.

IF the incoming coach tells you he cant full time staff-up a strength and conditioning team - regardless of new buildings/equipment - and you are on 1 last chance to play AFL........its hard to blame the bloke.

I understand Nth fans dont want to lose the talent but I think he's being honest.....at least he didnt 'text' the club from O/S to say hes out...

Wasn't saying it was the same as the Ball saga, saying the reaction from the North supporters was similar to the reaction from Saints supporters when Ball left

Spinner · Post: # 864931Post **Spinner** » Wed 09 Dec 2009 1:49am

Milan Faletic wrote:
jmac101 wrote:well..look at it this way...by losing x. clarke, m. maguire and l. ball..we really needed to draft someone in to give the medical staff something to do. those three guys + m.gardiner have been the most medically intensive guys on our list over the last three years...maybe ross thinks that without a challenge our medical team will get bored...therefore jess smith gets drafted and gives them something to work a miracle on..
I like it

Second!

Spinner · Post: # 864932Post **Spinner** » Wed 09 Dec 2009 1:49am

Teflon wrote:Totally different to the Ball saga.

IF the incoming coach tells you he cant full time staff-up a strength and conditioning team - regardless of new buildings/equipment - and you are on 1 last chance to play AFL........its hard to blame the bloke.

I understand Nth fans dont want to lose the talent but I think he's being honest.....at least he didnt 'text' the club from O/S to say hes out...

Correctomudo!