SMITH, Devon

Devon Smith requested a trade to Essendon from Greater Western Sydney at the end of the 2017 season, which was achieved with the Bombers' pick 11. He had played 109 games with the Giants and kicking 100 goals between 2012 and 2017.

He became an excellent forward line player and always put great pressure on his opponents with his strong tackling. His 186 tackles in 2018 were the most ever recorded in a single season.

He performed so well in the 2018 season that he won the Crichton Medal. He was also named in the All-Australian squad that year.

He was acting captain in his 150th game, Round 14 v Hawthorn, 27 August 2020, a game played in Adelaide due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Devon Smith unfortunately missed many games due to persistent degenerative knee injuries and decided to retire at the end of the 2022 season. He returned to Lara as co-coach in 2023 while continuing his PGA course with the aim of becoming a professional golfer.