Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce Devon Smith will Don the Sash in 2018 after a trade with GWS was finalised this morning.
Smith has agreed to a four year deal which will see him remain at the Club until the end of 2021.
The Bombers gave up pick number 11 and a future third round pick to the Giants, in exchange for Smith, pick number 23 in this year’s draft and a future second round pick.
Smith said he is looking forward to joining the Club’s talented young playing list.
“It’s very exciting, Essendon is obviously a massive footy club. Now the deal has gone through I’m very excited to be a part of it and can’t wait to get started,” Smith said.
“I’m excited about joining the young list, where the team is going, and the very exciting brand of footy they play.
“The plan is to play a lot more midfield time, and then get up forward and kick a few goals.
“From what I saw last season, to finish seventh is a good stepping stone and the boys will be hungry to improve on that. Hopefully we can keep improving and work towards the success everyone at the Club is looking to achieve.”
Senior Coach, John Worsfold, said Smith is a welcome addition to the Club’s list..
“He is an exciting midfielder, who hunts the footy and uses it well. He adds that depth that we’ve been looking to add to our midfield group,” Worsfold said.
“We want guys that we know can play at the elite level but also have character - guys that are hungry to get the best out of themselves.
“We want players owning their own career and driving themselves to achieve the maximum they can and by doing so help us, as a team, achieve the goals that we are aiming for.
“Devon fits all of those key criteria for us.”
In his first year at the Giants, Smith was a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee in 2012, and placed second in the GWS Best and Fairest in his third year.
Essendon List and recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, said Smith’s speed and endurance will strengthen the Dons midfield.
“We wanted to bolster our midfield so we are bringing Devon in as a midfielder, not a forward,” Dodoro said.
“He is coming from a club that has a lot of talent but he just couldn’t get in their midfield. He will get the opportunity here with us and I think he will prove to be an excellent player.
“He is an exceptional talent. We are looking forward to seeing Devon play his best footy.”
Smith was drafted to the Giants in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. He has played 109 AFL games and kicked 100 goals.
