2013 SuperCoach Player Profile: Zac Smith

[My Chumps]

Stats

Highest average for a season, 2011: 78

2012 Average: 70.1

Centuries: 0

2012 Games: 16

Standard Deviation: 16.9

Price: $374,900 

Position: R

Age: 22

Thoughts
Smith was a very popular pick in his first season back in 2011, givin the job of starting ruckman at the Gold Coast Suns. At basement price, he provided amazing bench cover playing 20 games in his first season and averaging 90 over his first 10 games in the AFL. Understandably for a rookie, fatigue then set in during the second half of the year and he finished with a respectable average of 78 in his first season. We were all impressed with his first year, I even flirted with starting him in my 2012 team. However, last year, Smith's developement halted severely, picking up numerous ankle/foot injuries during the season resulting in him playing only 16 games. His average fell to 70, and he didn't crack three figures once.
But looking forward to 2013, with a full pre-season under his belt Smith could get back to the brilliant play we saw in his first 10 games. He's a good athlete and a quality user of the ball for a big guy. He can get forward and kick goals too as shown by his 14 in 2011. With Hickey leaving GC to St Kilda in the trade period, Smith shouldn't be starved of gametime either. Definietly has the potential to take it up a level in 2013, and become a good alternative to the incredibly popular Leunberger.

Verdict
At his price it's hard for me not to consider. However, with Leuy being even cheaper, you'd have to be a ballsy man to go with Smith. Something you could do is start with Smith, and if he hasn't preformed over the first two rounds straight swap him for Leunberger.
It's probably a no for me, unless he really turns it on pre-season.

Prediction
+16, 86.

[shorty3264]

As is so often the case with young guns after a great first season, they plateau in their second. He will be  quality player in years to come. But your right it would be a guttsy coach to pick him, considering the ruck is not where risks should be taken this year. Have to pass on him. Nice write up.

[tbagrocks]

Does he even have any competition for the lead ruck role? If he's fit and he plays most of the year he could be very good value, maybe still to young and inexperianced to go ahead of the top fantasy rucks just yetz

[My Chumps]

Does he even have any competition for the lead ruck role? If he's fit and he plays most of the year he could be very good value, maybe still to young and inexperianced to go ahead of the top fantasy rucks just yetz

Gorringe, Josh Hall (unlikely) and maybe Charlie Dixon provide competition, but I'd imagine Smith will be #1.

Cheers Shorty, love your work with profiles too.

[BB67th]

Gorringe and Hall would be the only ones to provide any real competition for the main rucking duties I would think, but Smith is miles ahead of those two. It would be a gutsty move to pick him up next year, as like most rucks, he really needs a good half dozen seasons under his belt at the top level before he becomes a great player. He will be a great player in around 6 years time, but not yet for me.

[Adamant]

Had a great first year, but was very disappointing in 2012. Pass for me.

[northernstar]

Trying to save cash in rucks and thinking this is the man.

Ride him till Leunberger hits the bubble.

Thoughts?