Zac Smith Biography

Zac Smith will miss up to 12 weeks after sustaining a PCL injury in the opening minutes of a VFL practice match.

Zac Smith returns to Gold Coast on a two-year deal after the Suns sent pick 58 to Geelong.

Zac Smith says he is aware of the deficiencies in his game that are holding him back from being considered among the top handful of ruckmen in the AFL.

"To compete with the top three or four guys in the comp I need to go to another level," Smith said.

"My actual strength in the gym, I've got to improve that.

"A big focus for me will be marking. I need to take a few more contested marks each week and that'll really help improve me and the team this season."

Zac Smith impresses in his debut as a Cat after notching three first-half goals in addition to his 14 disposals and 16 hit-outs in Geelong's season opener against Hawthorn.

Zac Smith says the prospect of playing within the framework of an established culture at Geelong was a significant factor in his move from Gold Coast to the Cats.

"When a young kid comes into the Geelong footy club, they know the expectations," Smith said.

"That's one thing at the Suns we struggled to shape. I know they're heading in the right direction, but they've still got a bit of work to do.

"Culture, at any club, is the No.1 thing you want to get right."

Geelong coach Chris Scott has praised the work of Gold Coast's coaching staff for the work they've done in developing former ruck prodigy and new Cats recruit Zac Smith.

"I think the Gold Coast system has been maligned over the last couple of years but we haven't turned Zac around in a couple of months at our footy club," Scott said.

"Clearly Gold Coast have done some good work with him in the last couple of years because he is going well.

"There are no guarantees for Zac and he knows he's not a walk-up start in our best 22, but the early indications are really positive."

Zac Smith nominates Geelong as his preferred new home, confirming that he will seek a trade from Gold Coast.

Tom Nicholls hopes he and Zac Smith can shake off their recent run of injuries and become a dominant ruck duo for Gold Coast in 2015.

"It's a bit frustrating. You hear that word talent, but that's nothing until you perform," Nicholls said.

"So it is time this year to string a few games together and get that consistency on the field and hopefully myself and Zac and all the other boys can form some great ruck partnerships over the years."

Zac Smith will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ankle injury in the Suns' shock loss to Brisbane.

"Zac has seen specialists this week and it has been determined that he will require surgery on his ankle," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"He will have the surgery in Brisbane on Thursday and as a result he will miss the remainder of the season."

Gold Coast coach Matthew Primus all-but confirmed on Wednesday that giant-ruckman Smith would return direct to the seniors after 12 months out with a ruptured ACL.

"Zac's done a power of work," Primus said.

"We understand he's not going to be at his best, but whatever level he plays at, we just want him to compete in the ruck as he does and his touch will come through."

Zac Smith could make a shock return to the senior team against St Kilda on Sunday after not playing a game for 12 months.

"Zac is confident that he is ready to go and Stephen Schwerdt (high performance manager) echoes his thoughts," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"As a match committee we've discussed it briefly, and we will continue to do so throughout the week.

"It is fair to say it would be unconventional to play him straight up, however his training program would suggest he is fit enough to do so."

Gold Coast place Zac Smith on their long-term injury list as the young ruckman continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

"He feels really good now, it's about holding that little bit back until that knee's as good as it can get," Suns midfield coach Matthew Primus said.

"He'll take a month or so to get his touch back, but it is good it has happened early in his career, if there is a good time for it to happen."

As he recovers from a knee reconstruction, Zac Smith says he will not rush himself back before he is ready.

"I've chatted to docs and physios but haven't put a timeline on it," Smith said.

"If it's right, it's right. If it ends up being 12 months, so be it, I'd rather get it right the first time than re-injure it again."

Zac Smith will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL during the opening half of Gold Coast's 32-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium.

"Unfortunately the scans have shown Zac will require reconstructive surgery to his right knee," Gold Coast general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"Zac will miss the rest of the 2013 season and will be in rehabilitation mode when the 2014 pre-season commences."

Zac Smith, Trent McKenzie and Seb Tape are among five Gold Coast players who have signed contract extensions.

The trio - all inaugural members of the squad - have been joined by Queenslanders Jackson Allen and Clay Cameron.

Zac Smith says he will need to increase his level of aggression after learning from Suns assistant coach Matthew Primus.

"As a player he (Primus) was pretty aggressive, jumped at the contest hard, so he's taught me technique to do that and how to tackle those contests," Smith said.

"I think it's always something that's going to be evolving and something I'm always going to have to work on.

"Naturally I'm not that way (aggressive), but it's something I have to work on. As soon as I cross that white line, [I need to] switch on that aggression."

Campbell Brown says he hopes new Suns assistant coach Matthew Primus will help to boost Zac Smith's aggression.

"He certainly needs to work on that aspect of his game. Ruck is super important," Brown said about Smith.

"I think Matty Primus is the best man to bring out that aggression because it all starts with the ruckman in the middle of the ground. I think if you're an aggressive ruckman in the air and on the ground it adds an enormous benefit to the side."

Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith says being dropped from the side was the best thing for his career.

"I think my first half of the season hasn't been up to the standard of what I set last year. I really want to improve and have a really good second half of the season," Smith said.

"What I've learned is the game is continually growing and can go faster than you pretty quick, so you've just got to keep improving every week, every session."

Australian international rules coach Rodney Eade says he is keen to play Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith as goalkeeper for the Australian side against Ireland.

"Zac has got a bit to learn because he's never kept before, and none of the other players in the team have either," Eade said.

"But I think that having a soccer background, he's got some idea of it. I've spoken to him about it and he's more than comfortable to trial it."

Ruckman Zac Smith has been named Gold Coast's second NAB Rising Star nominee in 2011 after helping the Suns beat the Brisbane Lions by accumulating 22 disposals and five inside 50s.

"Zac has worked extremely hard since arriving at the club three years ago and I have seen him learn and grow into the exciting player that he is becoming," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"He has been playing AFL for just over five years now, and in his previous two seasons with the club, through under 18's and in the VFL, he won our most professional player award, setting a great example for his teammates to follow."

Zac Smith makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast at the Gabba with 16 disposals (8 kicks and 8 handballs), 7 marks, 2 tackles and 14 hitouts in a 119-point loss to Carlton.