ENTERING his fourth grand final in as many years, Isaac Smith knows all about the build-up to the biggest week of the season.
And he’s as laidback as they come.
He knows exactly what to expect – and to expect the unexpected.
The 26-year-old from north of the Victorian border never expected to play in one AFL Grand Final.
Now a dual premiership player, he’s determined to make the most of the opportunity in front of him.
“Growing up, you don’t expect to play in this many AFL Grand Finals. You don’t expect to play in one,” Smith said.
“They’re all very special in their own way, and they’re even more special when you win them.
“This is my fourth now, so it’s pretty exciting. It’s always a good week and I think finally we’re going to get a sunny week for it, which will be good."
As he has been over the past couple of years, Smith has been an integral component of the Hawks’ success to date. He’s played 24 of a possible 25 games during 2015, averaging more than 23 disposals per game.
Alongside the likes of fellow line-breakers Bradley Hill and Billy Hartung - if both are selected - he’s hoping to play a big role in the final game of the season.
On the wide expanses of the MCG, the speedy trio will have plenty of hard work ahead of them.
“We haven’t played much at the MCG the last couple of months. I think all of us love playing there, I love playing there,” Smith said.
“It’s our home ground and I’m sure we’ll have a big support crew there with all the fans and that, so it should be a ripper.
“(Our role is) important, but it’s no more important than anyone else’s role. I think if everyone’s doing their bit, then everything seems to gel.
“If we bring our run and carry hopefully that helps, but everyone’s got to bring what they do well for the team, and if that all comes together hopefully it’s a favourable result for us.”
Together, the trio had played 17 games for a total of 12 wins this season, including the semi final and preliminary final.
Smith said for him, it would be a case of backing his instincts, and he was sure Hill and Hartung, who is in line to play in his first grand final, would be in a similar frame of mind.
“We’re all pretty laidback and pretty happy characters – I don’t know what comes first, the run and carry or the laidback character,” he said.
“You’ve just got to sit back and enjoy it and know what you’ve done all season works.
“There’s nothing different when it comes to Saturday.”
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