Smartt was selected for the first time by Bombers boss Brad Scott, after being recruited from the club’s VFL side at the mid-season rookie draft at the end of May.
He told the club’s media team he was left speechless after hearing the news from coach Scott.
“It was nerve-racking obviously when the coach asks you to come in, but we went in, had a good chat for about 10-15, and he said I’d be debuting,” Smartt said.
“I just froze, didn’t know what to say.”
After not being picked up in the 2023 draft or the 2024 mid-season draft, Smartt remained undeterred in his quest to make it to the top grade and has now been rewarded with an AFL cap.
“The main thing for me was to play consistent football, to play my strengths instead of worrying about what other people wanted,” he said.
“Just good habits and that stuff which makes me become a better footballer and a better person.”
Smartt, named at ruck-rover, had a modest start to life as an AFL footballer, logging six disposals, three tackles, three inside 50s and one score involvement.
The game, which saw the Tigers run over the top of the Bombers in the fourth quarter, finished 6.10 (46) to 4.13 (37) and was regarded as one of the worst AFL games this year.
An injury-crippled Bombers have debuted a club-record tying 12 players this season and struggled to gel as a unit against Richmond.
Nic Martin left the field with a likely serious knee issue in the first quarter, adding to the Bombers’ injury woes.
Given Essendon’s struggles, it’s likely Smartt will be called on again throughout the back half of the season, giving the L-G product an opportunity to earn valuable AFL experience and carve out a more permanent place in the squad.
Also recently debuting in the AFL, Moama’s Jobe Shanahan has continued to earn caps for West Coast, kicking two goals against GWS and one against Port Adelaide to bring his total to four from three games.
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