REGRETS, Lions ruckman Archie Smith had a few.
But now, there are too few to mention.
The 20-year-old turned his back on a basketball career in 2013 and could only watch as former junior teammates Dante Exum and Ben Simmons began to realise their hoop dreams in the US.
Smith played with and against Exum up to under-17 level and was a teammate of college prodigy Simmons as youngsters in NSW.
After rejecting US college offers in favour of footy, the son of Brisbane Bullets power forward Andre Moore has been learning his new trade in the NEAFL as a rookie-listed player for the past two seasons.
At 201cm tall, Smith is poised to roar into senior calculations in after a sizzling summer on the training track.
After being the primary ruckman in game simulation drills for a large chunk of the pre-season, Smith is set to play during the NAB Challenge as the Lions manage the workload of key big man Stef Martin.
The opening NAB Challenge game at Burpengary is a long way from the packed US basketball stadiums where Utah Jazz guard Exum and college superstar Simmons have shone but Smith intends to make his mark after early reservations about a career switch.
In hindsight, I battled my first year in footy (2014) when I saw friends (Exum and Simmons) being talked about as NBA players,’’ Smith told The Courier-Mail.
“All of our dads played in the NBL around the same time and we have known each other for a long time.
“I have absolutely no regrets at all now. I love going to the club every day.
“I know in the grand scheme of things I’ve only been playing the sport for a few years but I’m dying to play senior football with the Lions and make a real contribution.
“I’ve been happy to sit behind Stef and Luey (Matthew Leuenberger) the past couple of years but I’ve really stepped it up and attacked the off-season.
“I want to bring my athleticism and aggression to the ruck contests. There is also nothing better than smashing a midfielder with a good tackle.’’
Smith said advice from his famous father had helped him be patient while working closely with the club’s elite midfielders has fast-tracked his development this summer
“I definitely pick Dad’s brain from time to time. He said at the start it would be a challenge to go from a sport that I know to a new sport where guys have been playing for 15-20 years longer than me,’’ Smith said.
“It’s been great to work with the midfield group this summer. I’ve learned so much being the sole ruckman in a lot of the training drills. It’s where our real star power is.’’
