Brodie Smith

Biography

AFC Debut Number: 176            AFC Debut Game:  Round 1 v Hawthorn, 2011

AFC Career Guernsey Number: 33

Adelaide’s first selection in the 2010 National Draft, Brodie Smith became one of its longest serving players before retiring at the end of the 2025 season.

Smith, who played 273 AFL games for the Crows, quickly developed into the one of the competition’s best rebounding defenders after making his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2011 season against Hawthorn at Football Park.

Recruited from Henley and Woodville-West Torrens, he played 14 AFL games in his first season, mainly on a wing. Switched to defence in 2012, Smith won the Club’s Emerging Talent award after playing 22 games including three finals, when he had an impact. He also was a member of 2012 pre-season premiership side.

Smith’s break-out season was 2014. He had a career-best year, averaging 23 disposals and ranking first in the competition for long kicks and second for rebound 50s and metres gained. This earned him selection in the All-Australian team and he came equal fourth in the Club Champion voting. He also represented Australia in the 2014 International Rules Test against Ireland.

Smith played his 100^th AFL game in round three of 2016, starred in Adelaide’s first final at Adelaide Oval, and then played a key role in Adelaide’s success in 2017. However, his season ended with a heartbreaking ACL rupture in the qualifying final against GWS, costing him a grand final appearance.

After returning to play two AFL games late in 2018, Smith played all 22 games and finished fifth in Adelaide’s Club Champion count in 2019. He qualified for Crows Life Membership in 2020 and in 2021 finished equal fourth in the Club Champion count, was fourth in the AFL comp for metres gained and had a club record 138 defensive rebounds.

Smith finished fifth in the 2022 votes and had a career-high 37 disposals, 13 inside 50s and eight marks against Carlton in round 20. In 2023, Smith was ranked ‘elite’ across the competition for metres gained, clocking an average of 520.1 metres. He became the 11th Crow to reach 250 AFL games for the Club, in round four of 2024 against Fremantle.

After starting 2025 in the SANFL, Smith played 11 AFL games later in the season including the two finals. “To be in this position now, hanging up the boots after playing 273 games, it’s something I’ll forever be so proud of,” Smith said after announcing his retirement. He kicked 74 AFL goals – many from long-range – and also played 15 SANFL games for the Crows.