This is pretty normal for Smith. Some days are better than others and today is dedicated to protecting the ankle and hamstrings that have given him so much grief over the last few years.
He walks laps of the oval in a harness, pulling along a weight that seems to jolt him upright with every stride. Soon he's done and heads for the hill, this time for lunges. That's right, more leg work.
Later, he joins Daniel Pratt – who continues his recovery from shoulder surgery. They're drilling footballs at each other and things seem normal again.
It's Wednesday morning at Arden Street and out in the middle most of the squad are pushing through sixty 100m runs. There's some respite. They're doing them in blocks of 20 with skills in between.
There's also that chance to grab a mouthful of water and throw a wince at a teammate when changing from running shoes to moulded boots. Have a stretch.
Adam Simpson carries his usual intensity. No nonsense. He sends a ball to Scott Thompson, who then roosts it over to Leigh Adams. Alan Obst and Corey Jones, wearing fluoro bibs, provide pressure on the kicker but it still finds Brady Rawlings. Around they go again.
A whistle breaks the thump of leather and it's another shoe change. Another run. Assistant coach Darren Bewick, with an encouraging clap, maintains the momentum: "Up and at them. We're ready to go. Who's going to lead?" Brent Harvey gives a sitting Sam Power a pat on the head.
Power shows little strain. Neither does Thompson. Michael Firrito, while not a bolter from the line, looks good as well.
Hamish McIntosh, David Hale, Todd Goldstein, Michael Wundke and others blend into their own pack. The players divide according to height, though opposition coach Danny Daly has pinched a place and is doing his best to keep up.
Shannon Watt's used to these. They wouldn't get any easier though. Word is Paul Turk, North's strength and conditioning coach, has increased the pre-Christmas work-load every year for the last three. His troops are obviously getting better.
Smith, Aaron Edwards, Andrew Swallow, Nathan Grima, Josh Gibson and Nathan O'Keefe form a handball circle that soon switches to sit-ups and push-ups. Drew Petrie, having a quieter day for him, watches on before finding a role.
O'Keefe's fellow draftees arrive after their Princes Park time trial and gather some loose footballs. Soon they have their own drill underway. Jack Ziebell is the unofficial leader, giving instructions as their activity changes course. Tuesday's new rookies are already in colour.
Robbie Tarrant's right arm is out of the sling. He's been running his own laps and is better for a sweat, while Grima has his turn on Smith's harness.
Daniel Harris is called over for some boxing. His fists are vigorous in a rat-a-tat against the pads while, nearby, Swallow's arms hold firm as a medicine ball is dropped onto his upper back.
A friendly scrap breaks out between Firrito and Scott McMahon. Cue a chorus of jeers. McMahon loses his singlet, but both regain focus for the third block of run-throughs.
Harris' legs look like lead this time, but he's not giving in. The gait of other teammates says they want to clamber. Something has to be conserved for the leg weights that follow this session.
Welcome to the pre-season.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
