He returned in 2007, earning a nomination for the AFL Rising Star after gathering 27 possessions in a game against Essendon.
[2] Smith managed just two games for North Melbourne's Victorian Football League (VFL) affiliate North Ballarat Football Club reserves in 2009 and re-injured his hamstring in the second of them.
Frustrated with the Kangaroos' facilities, he knocked back a new contract and asked the club to trade him.
In 2010 Smith played four games for St Kilda's VFL affiliate Sandringham Football Club and looked like a possible wildcard come finals time[4] before breaking down with an ankle injury.
[5] Smith retired from the Saints at the end of 2010 because of his injury toll; it impacted his fitness, skills and game time.