Richmond's Josh Smillie Grows to Towering 198cm Amid Injury Battles
Richmond coach Adem Yze has revealed that towering midfielder Josh Smillie experienced a significant growth spurt last year, adding three centimetres to his already imposing frame. The young ball-winner, who was drafted at a height of 195cm, now stands at an impressive 198cm, making him just one centimetre shorter than Tigers ruckman Toby Nankervis.
Smillie was selected with the coveted pick No.7 in the 2024 super draft, widely regarded as one of the strongest drafts in recent history. However, Tigers fans have yet to see him at AFL level due to persistent injury struggles over his 18 months in the system. His height now rivals that of key position players, with comparisons to Carlton's Patrick Cripps (195cm) and Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli (192cm).
Injury Setbacks and Recovery Process
Smillie's AFL debut has been delayed by quad and hamstring issues, limiting him to just four VFL appearances in 2025. He underwent quad surgery last November, which kept him out of main training until the new year. Recently, he suffered another setback with a quad strain, though Yze emphasized this was a different issue from the surgically resolved one.
Yze dismissed concerns about Smillie's delayed debut, attributing part of the struggle to his recent growth. "He did grow last year; he grew three centimetres last year. We're looking at all those things," Yze said at his weekly press conference. "We understand he's going through a fair bit... we're not going to take any risks with him."
Comparison with Other Players and Draft Picks
From the 2024 and 2025 national drafts, Richmond has seen several players debut before Smillie, including Sam Lalor (12 games), Taj Hotton (7), Jonty Faull (17), Luke Trainor (21), Harry Armstrong (9), Tom Sims (11), Jasper Alger (4), and Sam Grlj (1). In contrast, Smillie's height now exceeds that of Brisbane's Zane Zakostelsky, who stands at 196cm and has served as a backup ruck.
Even former Richmond star Jack Riewoldt looked up to Smillie when he was drafted, a sentiment that holds more weight after the growth spurt. Yze noted that Smillie is mentally in a good spot but needs physical readiness, with the club focusing on long-term success rather than rushing his return.
Future Outlook and Club Patience
The Tigers do not expect Smillie to be available for VFL selection for another couple of months. Yze acknowledged the midfielder's frustration, stating, "He's a highly driven kid and he wants to help our footy club to bounce back as quick as we can." However, the club is committed to a careful rehab process to prevent further setbacks.
Yze concluded by highlighting the importance of patience, saying, "We've got a program in place that when he does come back in, he'll be in for a long time and play a lot of footy." This approach aims to ensure Smillie's health and longevity in the AFL, despite the current challenges.
