THERE are plenty of things you probably haven’t heard about the host of one of HawksTV’s highest-rating programs, Ask a Hawk.
Asking the questions has started to become a habit for Isaac Smith, and not a one he’s got any intention of changing anytime soon.
The 26-year-old has plenty on his plate at the moment.
He’s currently doing a traineeship while completing his Master of Business degree (MBA) – and playing some pretty consistent football for Hawthorn.
Dangerous by foot, Smith has averaged almost 26 disposals per match from his 12 matches this year and has been a key cog in the Hawks’ midfield.
He believes having plenty to keep him busy off the field is helping contribute to his on-field performance.
“I’m pretty busy at the moment and ticking along,” Smith said.
“It’s really nice having something outside of footy.
“I’ve noticed over my time at Hawthorn and also previous to that, when I’ve got things to do (outside of football), not only do I play better football, but I’m also a happier person.
“It’s important for me to get that balance – I’m going alright and getting a couple of kicks.”
Smith is in his fifth season as a Hawk, and as one of the club’s emerging leaders, can see the club’s young brigade hopefully contributing to more team success this season.
“A lot of guys 25-and-under in our team have really stepped up this year which is handy, and it takes the load off the older guys a little bit,” he said.
“Hopefully that’s a good sign for Hawthorn.
“I think we’re travelling okay, but we’ve got a fair bit to improve on.”
A patched-up Smith was important in the Hawks’ win against Collingwood on Friday night, recovering from an errant boot to the face during the second quarter to finish with 25 disposals, seven marks and a goal.
The hard-running Hawk has driven the club into attack more than other player this season, with 63 inside 50s, and he’s ranked equal-fifth in the AFL with 5.2 entries per game.
Smith, a dual premiership player, believes the club is well prepared to tackle the second half of the season, but finds it tough to compare 2015 to the Hawks’ 2013 and 2014 premiership seasons.
“I guess when you win the grand finals you think the season was a successful season, but when you look back on it you actually realise you had a few losses and a fair few hard games during the year,” Smith said.
“I feel like we’re in a position to have a successful season, but time will tell.”
For now, Smith is travelling nicely.
His focus is “making sure I’m having fun in life” – and Ask a Hawk is giving him an extra opportunity to do just that.
“It’s nice being the one who’s asking the questions,” Smith said.
“It’s pretty interesting to see some of the questions that come in through our social media streams and it’s also good fun just to have a bit of banter with the players.”
Among the players, he said Hawks captain Luke Hodge was high on his priority list for the second half of the year.
“It would be nice getting Hodgey on there,” Smith said.
“The footy world and everyone at Hawthorn sees him as the perfect man and a great leader… but I think we could probably blindside him with a couple of questions and make him sweat a bit.”
WATCH: This week's Ask a Hawk, with Brian Lake
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