Josh Smith Biography

West Coast delists Josh Smith.

The 25-year-old played two games for the Eagles in 2019 after being picked up in the 2018 AFL Rookie Draft, following 32 games at Collingwood.

Chris Masten is taking a team-first attitude to getting hard-running recruit Josh Smith up to speed.

"I'm just trying to help him learn my role and if he needs to learn other ones, the other boys will be doing the same thing," Masten said of Smith.

"I think he (Smith) can play anywhere with the tank that he's got, he's pretty smart and he's got good skills."

West Coast recruit Josh Smith says he is determined to make the most of his AFL lifeline after fearing his career was over when he was delisted by Collingwood.

"I kind of got the feeling towards the back end of the year it (his delisting) might be on the cards, just because the team was going so well and I wasn't playing and contributing," Smith said.

"The delistings and Trade Period went down and, to be honest, I probably didn't think I was going to get another opportunity.

"It all happened pretty quick – only a week or two before the draft (I heard from West Coast) – and here I am now, so it's been a pretty crazy couple of weeks."

West Coast select Josh Smith with pick No.34 in the 2018 Rookie Draft.

Collingwood delist Jarryd Blair, Adam Oxley, Josh Smith and Sam McLarty.

"Each of these players has been important to our success this year in different ways, on and off the field," Collingwood list manager Ned Guy said.

"It's never easy to say goodbye and we’re going to miss having these boys at the club."

Josh Smith will miss the next month after scans confirmed a tear to the hamstring he injured against Hawthorn.

"It's a genuine hamstring," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

"It's generally 21-28 days so that's about what we expect. He's got a tear there so it's around that four-week mark."

Josh Smith was forced to jog the last part of his journey to Friday night's encounter against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium to ensure he made it to the ground on time.

Playing his first game at the stadium, the 22-year-old Queenslander left an hour to get to the ground but had to leave his car with his girlfriend when he realised he would get there quicker on foot.

Smith made the rooms by time – most clubs need players to be at the ground about two hours before the game – but admitted it was a bit stressful.

"I just jumped out and quickly jogged the rest of the way to get here so I could get here on time," Smith said.

"[I'm] not sure it was ideal preparation but it is what it was."

Amused teammates Jamie Elliott and Corey Gault – who weren't playing – spotted Smith as he ran past them on Flinders Street while they waited patiently in traffic.

They tooted at Smith and were surprised when he came over for a chat.

"He came up to us and wound the window down and had a chat with us for two minutes, said he was late but he is too good of a bloke to not have a chat," Elliott said.

"And then off he went again."

Josh Smith is still pinching himself as he continues to live out his AFL dream.

The mature-aged recruit from Queensland has been a revelation for the Magpies this season after debuting on Anzac Day in round five.

Since then the 22-year-old hasn't missed a beat, averaging 21 possessions per game.

"I'm absolutely loving playing at Collingwood. I'm really enjoying the challenge," Smith said.

"I was overlooked for four or five years but I always thought I was good enough so when I get an opportunity now I just try to relish it as much as possible."

Josh Smith makes his AFL debut for Collingwood at the MCG with 23 disposals (12 kicks and 11 handballs), 3 marks, 4 tackles and a goal in a 69-point win over Essendon.