After asking the question for more than three years, Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael’s persistence in chasing experienced metro Melbourne big man Jamie Smith has paid off.
The 205cm Smith arrives at Mortimer Oval after being cleared by Greensborough ahead of this weekend’s meeting with ladder leader Queenscliff.
The Northern League outfit is coincidentally the former club of star Hawks midfielder Ben Fennell, who will make his return from a broken arm for the clash with the Coutas.
“It’s good to finally have Jamie across; we’ve been trying to get him down to Drysdale for the last three or four years,” Carmichael said.
“He’s best mates with Ben Fennell, and they haven’t had the opportunity to play footy together – they were both on Collingwood’s VFL list together.
“It just worked out the perfect opportunity for Jamie to come across and play the second half of the year with us, and Ben being back from injury, it’s just good timing.
“We’re really excited to have him down.”
After losing Matt Pigott ahead of the season and Ben Henderson being sidelined with a knee injury, Drysdale’s ruck stocks were running low, leaving the undersized Declan Foley and, at times, James Breust, to shoulder the load in the opening half of the season.
However, with the arrival of former Geelong Falcon Mitch Lindsay from GFNL club St Mary’s and the signing of Smith, Carmichael has a couple of handy options in the future.
“It will be good to have a bit of size in the middle of the ground and up forward as well,” he said.
“It will be good to see how they work together.”
Carmichael is also looking forward to the return of Fennell, who shared last year’s Les Ash medal with Barwon Heads star Sammy Baker, for his first outing since Round 2.
“He’s the best player on the comp, and when you take him out of a side, it’s a big hole to fill,” Carmichael said.
“I’m just happy for him. He’s a shocking watcher of footy, and he’s just been itching to get back out there”
Smith and Fennell replace Foley, who is unavailable until after the league-wide bye early in July, and Chris Tainton.
Tainton suffered a broken arm in the stirring win over Anglesea before the club’s bye last week.
Talented teenager Ollie Castro is available after being released by Talent League club Western Jets, who have the bye this week.
The return match up with the Coutas holds extra meaning for both clubs, who will play for the Hand Up Cup as part of Mental Health Round, which commemorates the memory of Drysdale premiership player Ryan Gatgens and former Queenscliff player Lucas Niven.
“It’s important for the Gatgens and the Niven families,” Carmichael said.
“We’re very honoured to play in the Hand-Up Cup.
“We always try to pay homage to Ryan and the Gatgens family on this round.
“It’s a really important and special day for our club.”
Drysdale will mark two player milestones as well, with acting captain Jack Jenkins making his 200th open-age appearance and Jack Preece his 100th.
Queenscliff has lost Nick Rippon (hip) and Max Waight (calf) to injury, replaced by Patrick Bradley and Ned Coffey.
For Coffey, it will be his first senior match since Round 3, 2024.
Finals-bound Barwon Heads (3rd, 8-2) starts its eight-game stretch away from Howard Harmer Oval to conclude the home-and-away season with a trip to Portarlington (8th, 3-7).
The Seagulls have named debutant Harry Prout among four inclusions following strong form in the reserves since arriving from Whitehorse Pioneers in the Eastern League during the off-season.
James Syddall, Sam Hill and Josef Fanelli will also take on the Demons, replacing Lachie Blacket (Geelong Falcons), Luca Vella (back), James Callaway (shoulder) and Marley Cornell.
Portarlington has swung the axe, with five players dropped following last week’s loss to Queenscliff.
Blaide Dowie, Trae Cook, Marli Tancredi, Eamon Dowd, and Ethan Hughes head back to the reserves, while Matt Fromholtz has a calf issue.
Among the inclusions are former Leopold tro Brock Williamson, Nick Lane and Riley Hayden.
X: @krockfootball
