He was also listed with the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL) from 2005–06, but was not able to play a single game for the club due to two knee reconstructions.
Over time he began to re-emerge as a solid tall forward playing for Subiaco in the WAFL, kicking 109 goals in 2004, winning the Bernie Naylor Medal for leading goalkicker.
Smith was considered a key prospect for the full forward position, due to the West Coast Eagles’ lack of quality key position forwards.
[citation needed] Early in 2005 he suffered a severe knee injury during a pre-season practice match.
His bad luck continued, and in the 2006 pre-season he injured the same knee during a routine training drill.