AFL: Hawthorn recruit finds inspiration at Redan

HAWTHORN recruit Isaac Smith says a premiership with Redan gave him the self-belief to take his football to the next level.Smith, attending the AFL Players' Association induction on Monday, said he was settling in well at Hawthorn this summer and learning the ropes.But it was a lot different to where he was a year ago - preparing for Redan's campaign to defend its Ballarat Football League premiership."Winning the premiership at Redan just gave me a lot of confidence in my own ability and just a lot of confidence in football in general and how to attack it," Smith told fanfooty.com.au."Football at VFL and AFL level is a lot different to the Ballarat Football League when you're playing in a metre of mud each weekend. When you can't get out for training because it's too bloody cold and wet and the grounds are closed."It's a lot different and I just think the VFL and hopefully the AFL style of football will suit me because it's a lot quicker and cleaner."The 22-year-old's meteoric rise to an AFL captured the imagination of footy fans.Arriving in Ballarat from New South Wales town Cootamundra, deep in rugby territory, Smith became a Redan premiership player in 2009.He started last season with the Lions and was recruited to VFL football with reigning premier North Ballarat Roosters mid-season, shortly after playing in the Australian Country Football Championship.Smith played three reserves games with the Roosters, and in his sixth senior game became a VFL premiership player.There was plenty of hype about the flashy midfield/forward before he was snaffled by Hawthorn at pick 19 in the November AFL national draft.Smith said Victorian Country Football League interleague coach Peter Knights, a former Hawthorn player, has taken him under his wing at Waverley Park."He coached me at the Australian Country Championship last year and I have a pretty strong connection with him because of that," Smith said."I've had a couple of extra chats with him since because he works upstairs at Hawthorn."He's just got great advice and I just respect him immensely."Smith said his journey so far had been all about making the most of his chances.While he would love to debut in round one, there was still a long time and a lot of hard work ahead of him.Smith was one of three Roosters premiership players to join AFL lists post-season.Defender Cam Richardson was selected by the Gold Coast and on-traded to North Melbourne in trade week.Midfielder and VFL best and fairest Steve Clifton was taken by new AFL franchise Greater Western Sydney at pick one in the AFL rookie draft.