Fringe Brisbane ruckman Henry Smith has reportedly earned the interest of rivals, with clubs said to be "keeping a very close eye" on the 22-year-old.
Smith has just four AFL games to his name since being drafted to the Lions out of South Australia in 2020, with the 202cm talent behind senior pair Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort in Chris Fagan's ruck pecking order.
He made his AFL debut last year against Sydney and would feature in a further three games, with his last coming in Round 22 against GWS. Smith averaged 7.75 disposals and 6.25 hitouts in the top level, with two of his matches seeing him subbed out of the contest.
The young tall has flourished in the VFL this year as a ruck-forward hybrid, averaging 13.7 disposals, 12.7 hitouts, 3.7 clearances and 1.3 goals per game at the state league level.
He enjoyed a dominant display in Round 3 against Richmond, amassing 30 disposals, 33 hitouts and three goals against the Tigers.
Despite being under contract until the end of 2026, Smith is said to be on the radar of rival clubs this year, perย AFL.com.au'sย Cal Twomey.
"The watch would be on Henry Smith at the Brisbane Lions," Twomey said onย Gettable.ย
"He's got a year to go on his contract there and is absolutely considered a part of their future, but I know clubs are keeping a very close eye on him.
"He's a bit of a sneaky 'ruck merry-go-round' watch. He's played only four games, but at VFL level (he's dominated).
"He's one scouts are keeping track of."
Brisbane currently don't have Fort secured to a new deal beyond the current season, with the premiership Lion having turned his back on external overtures in 2023.
McInerney, 30, remains the first-string ruckman under Fagan, with Smith potentially seen as his long-term successor.
Clubs from across the competition could look to fringe ruck options to bolster their own stocks and potentially use them as senior assets, with Geelong, Adelaide, Essendon and Carlton among the clubs that could be in the market for ruckmen this year.
