Smith danger man, say Eagles

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson reckons $151 Brownlow Medal hope Isaac Smith is Hawthorn’s most dangerous player, not ball magnet Tom Mitchell.

Mitchell is second favourite behind Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe to win the Brownlow this season after producing a series of big hauls through the midfield. The 24-year-old is averaging 35.4 possessions and 9.4 clearances a game, and has also booted five goals.

Mitchell looms as a key figure in tomorrow’s clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium. Simpson acknowledged Mitchell’s hot form and the danger he posed, but the former Hawthorn assistant is even more worried by wingman Smith, who averages 22 possessions and has booted 14.5 from nine games.

“I think Isaac Smith has probably been their best player in terms of what he can produce,” Simpson said.

“He hasn’t changed for 10 years really — his running capabilities, the way he connects, and he hits the scoreboard as well.

“He’s in All-Australian form at the moment.”

Simpson said he would not get caught up in putting too many resources into stopping one or two players.

“Shutting down one player doesn’t mean success. It’s the same thing with Dustin Martin last week. We had a bit of a role on him but stopping him doesn’t guarantee you victory.”

Simpson said Elliot Yeo would play against the Hawks despite the midfielder’s recent knee scare. Yeo injured his right knee when it became twisted in a tackle against Richmond last week but scans have cleared him of any damage.

“It was pretty superficial,” Simpson said. “And he came back on and was probably our best player behind [Jack] Darling so that is always a good sign.”