TRISTA Smoker announced herself to WAFLW football in the best possible way on debut, kicking a goal and finishing with 13 disposals and three tackles as West Perth went down to Subiaco by two points at Joondalup in Round 7. Her performance was the subject of our Player Focus for the competition.

Trista Smoker
Club: West Perth
Height: 173cm
Date of Birth: 12/11/2010

STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Forward craft
+ Footy IQ
+ X-factor
+ Defensive pressure

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Kicking consistency
– Senior exposure

ROUND 7: vs. Subiaco

Statistics: 13 disposals (9 contested, 5 uncontested), 3 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

FIRST QUARTER

Smoker began on the forward side of the wing and showed her quality early, handling pressure well to find the corridor with her kick – a composed piece of play that immediately suggested she would not be overawed by the occasion. Her cleanest contribution of the quarter came just inside 50, where she gathered cleanly and picked out the one-on-one deep inside the forward 50, the ball finding its way to Zoe Huggett for a goal. Smart ball use from a player making her League debut.

SECOND QUARTER

Smoker was lively in attack and active around the contest, tracking the ball well and making her presence felt with her defensive pressure. At the 11-minute mark she executed a strong tackle that forced a holding the ball free kick and stepped up to convert from 30 metres out – her first goal in senior football. A composed, unhurried set shot that she made look straightforward.

THIRD QUARTER

A quieter term in terms of impact, though her technical quality was still evident. She trapped the ball well at half-forward and, rather than forcing the issue, got a clean handball away to a teammate – a small moment that spoke to the football sense she had shown throughout the afternoon.

FOURTH QUARTER

Smoker was dangerous late, her movement creating space and drawing attention as West Perth pushed for the win. She found the hotspot effectively with the ball on her boot and marked inside 50, stepping up for a set shot from 35 metres – this time pushing it just wide for a behind. A free kick for a push in the back at half-back gave her another opportunity to move the ball forward, though the kick into the corridor was turned over.

SUMMARY

For a first game of senior football, it was a performance that raised more than a few eyebrows. Smoker looked at home throughout – her clean hands, the willingness to apply pressure, and the composure on the set shot for her first League goal all pointing to a player who brings genuine quality rather than simply raw potential.

The areas to develop are largely products of her age and inexperience. Her kicking consistency wavered at moments – the behind in the final quarter and the turned-over corridor kick late – and the senior game will continue to expose those edges. But they are the kinds of traits that iron out with more games at senior level.

As one of the youngest players in the competition – born in late 2010 and still 15 years of age – Smoker is operating in a completely different timeframe to the prospects around her. Eligible to Melbourne as a father-daughter selection through her dad Craig‘s 17 games with the Demons, she already has clubs paying attention. On the strength of this debut, they will be watching closely for the rest of the season.