THIS YEAR'S Queensland under-18 side is unique in that it is effectively the Gold Coast TAC Cup team – the one honing its skills for the AFL in 2011.

Already there are eight players who have been signed up by the Gold Coast in the squad – Joey Daye, Charlie Dixon, Jesse Haberfield, Nicky Price, Zac Smith, Jack Stanlake, Jack Stanley and Rory Thompson.

Smith stands at 205cm and is already showing considerable potential in the ruck.

Against South Australia at Rouse Hill in western Sydney recently, he won 29 of 45 hit outs.

Queensland/Gold Coast football manager and assistant coach Marcus Ashcroft says Smith is one to keep an eye on in coming years.

"He's one of our contracted boys and he's dominated the hit outs all year as one of our ruckmen. He's by far and away above anyone else in hit outs – he gets his hands on the ball," the Brisbane Lions three-time premiership player told afl.com.au of Smith.

"He's a good young kid and really likes to learn. He wants to better himself and he's really quick, so there is some real upside.

"At this level, he's one of the standouts and hopefully he will keep progressing and be a valuable AFL player come 2011." 

Smith is already 19 but is allowed to play TAC Cup and in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships because he has signed up with the Gold Coast. 

He comes from a soccer background and followed the Brisbane Lions "a bit, but not a lot", but says he is relishing the opportunity to hone his craft with Queensland and the Gold Coast.

"In 2006, I got invited to the AIS Academy to spend a bit of time," Smith told afl.com.au. 

"I loved it and then I started playing footy back up in Rockhampton, a country town up north in Queensland, and from there I moved to Brisbane and played for Zillmere Eagles.

"From there, I played for the Queensland under 18s team and played some good footy and then I was asked to sign up for Gold Coast."

The chance to be a full-time contracted player with Gold Coast is also something Smith is not taking from granted.

"It's awesome so far. [Coach] Guy McKenna and all of the coaches are doing really well and the players really like it," he said.

"It's going really well. I'm very happy to be in this situation. I'm lucky they picked me up and I've got a couple of years to develop my game.

"I can get bigger and stronger, so hopefully I'll be there in the next couple of years in 2011."