NORTH Warrnambool Eagles export Billie Smedts is destined for a defensive role with his AFL team Geelong this season.
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Smedts, who started his career as a forward/midfielder, managed just six games last season after being earmarked as a running defender.
But after spending a lot of time with triple Geelong premiership defender Matthew Scarlett during the off-season, the Cats intend pushing on with Smedts in the back half this year.
Back line coach Dale Amos told the Cats’ website Smedts was primed for a crack at senior footy this season.
“He’s trained really, really well,” Amos said.
“Particularly post-Christmas, I think the way he’s gone about it and his attitude towards feeling like he’s part of the AFL team has been really solid.
“He’s been doing a lot of work with Matty Scarlett and we can see the benefits of that already.
“All the indications at the moment are that he’s preparing himself well and giving himself a chance to play some AFL footy early in the year, which is good.
“In footy terms, he hasn’t played a lot of footy, so it’s an important stage for him.
“He’s in that group of players that we need to really push us forward and establish themselves as senior players.”
Amos said Smedts was showing good signs of developing into a defender.
“I think Bill will have an element of versatility,” Amos said.
“He’s played as a forward before, and you could see him playing as a winger as well, but he’s done most of his training as a defender.
“I think that through the NAB Challenge he’ll get a bit of exposure down there, which will be good for him. He’s looked really comfortable down there.”
Smedts, 22, said he had improved his fitness significantly.
“I feel like my body has matured a lot over the last 12 months,” Smedts said.
“I’m really tolerating the sessions and getting through them.
“Being able to back up day after day and get the best out of each session has been really good.
“It’s been about getting a lot fitter so I can run out games a lot better.
“I’ve put on a couple of kilos, but personally I feel like I’m running a lot better than I have in past pre-seasons.
“After the pre-season I’ve had, I’m really looking forward to the games coming around and giving this year a good crack.”