Feeling as good as he has since calling time on his AFL career, Devon Smith will extend his commitment to GDFNL club Thomson in 2026.
The one-time Essendon best-and-fairest made a cameo appearance with the City Tigers last year, kicking four goals in a narrow win over Bannockburn.
However, the aspiring golf professional didn’t feature again in purple and gold in 2025.
Keen to play alongside good mate Dylan Jose, Smith will be a more regular presence in Paul Lynch’s line-up this year.
“I’ve actually done a little bit of work compared to last year,” Smith, who played 182 games during stints with the Bombers, where he won a best-and-fairest, and the GWS Giants, said.
“I definitely wasn’t playing football at all (last year). ‘Josey’ is one of my best mates, and he said it’s a last hurrah sort of stuff, as they normally do, and he conned me into playing, which I was probably about 84 kilos at the time.
“We got through the day and had a good win, which took me about three weeks to recover from.
“Whereas this year, I’ve been back in the gym and running a lot more, so I’m feeling a lot better with my body.”
Smith, who has returned to his AFL playing weight of between 77 and 79 kilos, hasn’t committed to a number of games, but says he will play in the Round 1 meeting with Inverleigh and miss Round 2.
Playing off a handicap of plus-2, the 32-year-old is set to graduate from being an associate professional to being a full member of the PGA.
He has also started his own golf coaching business, Swingsync.
“There’s no real cap on it,” he said
“Normally, I’d say, eight to ten games, (but) that could be 12. And if it looks like finals, it could be more.
“And that’s if you get through. So touch wood, you have a bit of luck.”
The ultimate success has eluded Smith at every level of his football career.
And while the former Lara co-coach knows Thomson has plenty of work to do if it’s to win a second premiership in three years, Smith has his sights on helping the Tigers make a quick return to finals action after watching on last year.
“I’d love to even just play some local finals, to be honest,” he said.
“Any other sport, you name it, I’ve sort of… achieved it.
“But for whatever reason, footy just hasn’t gone that way for me.”
Smith’s commitment is a welcome positive at Godfrey Street after the Tigers sacked co-coach Jacob Knight over “off-field matters” last week.
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