Catani forward Hayden Smart fulfils a lifelong dream this week when he plays in his first senior grand final. Smart, a young veteran at 26, made his senior debut for Warragul as a 15yearold and went on to play over 100 games with the Gulls before in 2002 moving to NilmaDarnum, where he played 48 matches.
With his mercurial skills and uncanny judgment Smart brings fans through the gate and if left unchecked can wreak havoc in a defence.
An Achilles heel injury this season has curbed his output, but he now looks to be regaining fitness and alongside Owen Fitzpatrick and his good mate Brent Mounsey makes up one of the most potent forward lines in the EDFL.
Ken Moore: It must be a good feeling to get into a grand final.
Hayden Smart: It is a good feeling. I have never been in a grand final in the seniors so it’s been a great effort to get there.
KM: I was told that you came to Catani to play in a grand final.
HS: No that’s not true. One of the reasons was that I was best mates with Brett Mounsey and played a lot of footy with him at Warragul so I decided to follow him out here and get a kick.
KM: There were a lot of question marks after your performance against Nyora.
HS: We came out this week with the right endeavour and showed that we wanted to be there next week. We had a lot of doubters this week but we showed them and we came to play.
KM: And what do you put the win down to?
HS: We were a lot harder at the ball and willing to work for each other.
KM: Who were some of the more influential players today for Catani?
HS: I think Davo (Shane Davidson) did well, Mounsey provided a lot of spark up forward and Billy (Michael) Stockx around the packs really helped us today.
KM: How do you enjoy working with Owen Fitzpatrick and Mounsey?
HS: It’s fantastic because if you are not there to mark it yourself you can go for the crumbs.
KM: How will you spend the week in the leadup to the grand final?
HS: Just look after myself.
KM: You have had a look at Nyora so have you picked up on anything that will help you in the grand final?
HS: Just to use the ball better. They’re a quick running side, we are probably a stronger side so we need to use our bodies more and work harder for each other.
