GVL Data

GVL Data | Riley Smith: Echuca’s ball magnet

By Bransen Gibson

Jun 28, 2022

Hands on the footy: Riley Smith has been Echuca’s leading disposal getter so far this season. Photo: Steve Huntley

Echuca’s Riley Smith has seen plenty of the Sherrin in the Goulburn Valley League this season, with the Murray Bombers midfielder racking up the touches and playing a key role for his side.

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Smith has been Echuca’s leading ball-getter this season — his 249 disposals rank first for the Bottle Greens, as do his 172 kicks and 109 efficient kicks.

The Murray Bombers are the GVL’s highest scoring team this season, and Smith has played a key role in helping his side get points on the board.

The midfielder has 14 scoring assists this season and is leading the Murray Bombers in inside 50s with 55.

Smith’s inside 50s rank in the top five in the GVL this season, while his disposals and kicks totals rank in the top 10 for each category.

Smith's numbers this season show he has done a great job of getting into space — he is third in the leage in handballs received (95) and 62 of his 63 marks have been uncontested.

But the midfielder isn’t just a one-way runner, however. His 45 tackles in 2022 are the second most for Echuca, highlighting his defensive work rate, and his 100 contested possessions and 91 ground ball gets — both third in the team — show he can also get the hard ball.

Smith was in full flight on Saturday, with a team-high 28 disposals — 14 kicks and 14 handballs — and nine marks in Echuca’s 153-point walloping of Benalla.

He has had more than 20 touches in eight of his 11 games this season, with a season-best 34 touches against Seymour in round five.