Long-kicking Crow Brodie Smith is advocating for the return of the torpedo at Adelaide.
Smith and several of his teammates took turns unleashing ‘torps’ at the end of the Club’s light training run at West Lakes on Wednesday morning.
The 24-year-old half-back/wingman is often tasked with the Crows’ kick-in duties, and said he’d love to have a license to attempt a ‘barrel’ and clear the opposition’s zone.
“It’s something I’d like to have in the kit bag if I ever need to use it out of full-back,” Smith said.
“Nowadays, when you kick out there are almost 18 players in your (defensive) 50m trying to stop the ball. If you’ve got that (ability to execute a torpedo) and you can kick it over the top, we’ve got blokes like Eddie and Charlie … who are nice and quick (to run onto the ball).
“It’s something I’ve been practising, but I’ve just got to get the confidence and the green light from a few of the coaches first.”
Smith admitted the torpedo kick was high risk and high reward.
“You look pretty stupid if you go for a big barrel from full-back and you duff it about 40 metres into an opponent’s arms!” he said.
Smith’s penetrating right boot will be back in action in Adelaide’s final NAB Challenge game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Friday, March 11.
The All Australian defender didn’t take part in the second half of the Club’s loss to Fremantle in Mount Barker on the weekend after falling ill.
“Just before the game, on the bus I started feeling a bit crook,” he said.
“I don’t know what started it. It just got a bit too much to handle in the end … a bit soft, but I had a day off. I trained today and feel a lot better.
“I’m fine to continue training tomorrow and into next week.”
It’s been an eventful few days for Smith, who has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with the Crows. It followed the re-signing of Daniel Talia to a five-year deal last week.
Smith denied the length of his new deal was to take advantage of Free Agency.
“I think ‘Talsy’ took all the cash, so I just had to settle for two (years),” he said.
“No, it’s just what myself, my manager and the Club agreed on and what works best for both parties.
“I’m very happy.”