‘He was born a Bomber’: Leitchville-Gunbower’s Oskar Smartt selected by Essendon in AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft

After disappointment, changes of scenery and injury, Smartt has finally found himself on an AFL list.

The 20-year-old small forward was selected by Essendon with pick 17 of the 2025 AFL mid-season draft on Wednesday, May 28.

Smartt was touted for his athleticism, speed, strength and explosive kicking ability, which showed through his six VFL appearances so far in 2025.

The night started off just like any other, with Smartt cooking dinner while one of his friends watched TV.

But it quickly unravelled into chaos when, with the second-last pick of the night, the Bombers pulled through for him once more.

“My mate turns to me while I’m cooking dinner and says that Essendon have a pick, so I stopped and had a listen,” he said.

“When my name was called, I couldn’t believe it, I was frozen for about 10 seconds, and then I was jumping around like a little kid squealing.

“It was so good and an unbelievable feeling for sure.”

Ever since he was a child, Smartt brimmed with talent, making his senior debut for L-G at 16 and being selected to play for the Bendigo Pioneers.

Smartt becomes the third L-G player to join an AFL list, following Melbourne’s Marty Hore and 2024 St Kilda draft pick James Barrat.

“Oskar has been probably the most talented junior we’ve had come through the club,” Leitchville-Gunbower Football Netball Club president Matt Hawken said.

“The power, speed and athletic prowess combined with his skill and big kick is something I’ve never seen.

“It’s an amazing thing for a little country club to have three boys to start at Auskick and come through our senior club as teenagers and then find themselves on an AFL list.”

Yet, it hasn’t been the easiest road for the youngster.

After being hyped by the AFL media, many expected Smartt to be selected in the 2024 AFL Draft. But unfortunately, he was left waiting for his name to be called.

Not one to give up, Smartt was provided an opportunity to start fresh and play VFL football, something that took him a bit to get used to, but paid dividends in the long run.

“Every destination has its journey and mine was a bit long, the last 18 months have been on and off with injuries, so I have had a few setbacks,” he said.

“As everyone says, hard work pays off, and I knew if I kept sticking to it, I’d eventually get where I needed to go.

“Essendon is such a welcoming club, I’ve been here for 18 months and it’s so good being surrounded by a great group of people.”

So, when his name was called, nearly two decades of pent-up emotion was let go.

“It’s just a massive sigh of relief, and knowing that all the effort, driving around and perseverance was worth it,” Smartt’s mother Stacey said.

“It’s been pretty full-on since it was announced, he woke up to many phone calls and messages, he’s had to do media already, he’s pretty overwhelmed and can’t believe it.

“It’s wonderful that he has finally gotten what he’s worked so hard for, it’s just unbelievable, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

As is often the case with professional athletes, it takes a tribe of supporters, but through the effort of friends, family and his boyhood club, Smartt was able to take a step towards fulfilling his lifelong dream.

“I’ve got an expression that I’ve used with Oskar for years: blood sweat and tears gets you there, but it’s not all yours,” Stacey said.

“He knows that everyone at Leitchville-Gunbower Football Club is behind him, and they are the most amazing country footy club.

“When he started playing VFL, so many of the club members came down and watched the games, to see a lot of familiar faces down in the grandstand was incredible.”

The irony of Smartt finding his AFL home at Essendon isn’t lost on his family and will thrill his father and two siblings, who are all Bombers fans.

“Him being a Bomber for life is something that we always used to joke about,” Stacey said.

“He was born a Bomber, my husband and Oskar’s two younger siblings are Bombers supporters so it’s just icing on the cake for them.

“Even though he has woken up today on an AFL list, he’s still the same Oskar — he’s a humble kid that still speaks to the same people and presents himself the same.

“He’ll stick with Essendon, he loves it there, and they’re all his mates now and to be able to take this big step in life with them there is awesome for him.”

Through all the mayhem that comes with being drafted into the AFL, Smartt hasn’t forgotten the love and support he has received from the many people who have followed him on his journey.

“Between the community in Echuca, to all the footy clubs I have played for, the people I have met have been unreal,” he said.

“All of them have been a part of my journey, and it’s something I would never change; it’s the best part about all of this.

“Through the rough patches and all the ups and downs, they supported me and have been there when I needed it, I couldn’t have done it without them.

“I finally got here, and it is a dream come true.”