GWS of old, says Devon

Sydney, said he was very excited about what was being built at Essendon, which made him extra comfortable with his decision to don the red and black.

“We are going to have this core group for the next four to six years, so that’s exciting. I’ve seen how that works,” Smith said, referencing the way the Giants built from the ground up.

“It’s still going to take this group another year and a bit to see how each other plays. I’m trying to still learn where Saady [Adam Saad] kicks the ball, where Jakey [Jake Stringer] leads.

“Our whole team is doing the same for me.

“We are going to gel and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.”

Smith, who grew up in Lara, near Geelong, before being taken by GWS with pick 14 in the 2011 draft, conceded that while he did everything to tell himself he wasn’t homesick when in Sydney, he couldn’t escape the feeling he needed to come back to Melbourne.

He said he felt “reenergised” as soon as he came back, enjoying the simple things such as regular catchups with family and friends, and the benefits for his football have been obvious.

“I didn’t think I was unhappy in Sydney, but looking back, I was a bit headstrong, and I was a bit homesick, missing family,” Smith said.

“Being at home, being able to catch up with people for a coffee, or have dinner, little things. I feel re-energised with my footy, and I am really enjoying game day again.

“It’s a weird thing but definitely the best thing I have done in my career so far.”