Brooke Smith (footballer)

Brooke Smith (born 21 February 2004) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Adelaide Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). A utility capable of playing across multiple positions, she was signed by Adelaide as an injury-replacement player in 2023 after impressing at state-league level with the Dandenong Stingrays and Casey Demons.

Brooke Smith
Smith in 2025
Personal information
Full name Brooke Smith
Born (2004-02-21) 21 February 2004 (age 22)
Original teams Dandenong Stingrays (Talent League)
Casey Demons (VFLW)
Draft Injury replacement, 2023
Debut Round 10, 2023, Adelaide vs. West Coast, at Lathlain Park
Height 171 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Position Utility
Club information
Current club Adelaide
Number 18
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2023– Adelaide 6 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2025.
Source: AustralianFootball.com

Early life and junior football

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Smith grew up in Victoria and played her junior football locally before joining the Dandenong Stingrays in the Talent League Girls. Her athletic background included basketball and athletics, which contributed to her abilities on the football field.[1]

Smith's final junior season was interrupted by injury, but she returned to perform strongly in the VFL Women's with the Casey Demons. She was named Most Valuable Player in the VFLW Under-23 All Stars match against the AFLW Academy at Docklands Stadium, catching the attention of AFLW recruiters.[2]

AFLW career

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Smith joined Adelaide as an injury-replacement player ahead of the 2023 AFLW season, filling a vacancy created by a long-term injury to forward McKenzie Dowrick.[3] She made her debut in round 10, 2023 against the West Coast Eagles, playing primarily across half-back.

In 2024, Smith was elevated to Adelaide's primary list and appeared in two matches early in the season. She played as a utility, rotating between the forward line and defensive 50. Her season was cut short after she suffered a fractured collarbone, ruling her out of the remainder of the year.[4][5]

Prior to the 2026 season, Smith ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament during a training session, ruling her out for the season.[6] After being placed on the inactive list, Smith was replaced by Juliet Kelly.[7]

SANFLW and state-league experience

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Although Victorian-born, Smith gained exposure to South Australian football through the SANFL Women's League mini-draft, which allocates AFLW-listed players to SANFLW clubs for additional match time. In the 2024 mini-draft, she was taken with the first pick by West Adelaide.[8][9]

Playing style

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Smith is described as a reliable utility with strong marking ability for her size, a penetrating kick, and the versatility to adapt to multiple positions. She is comfortable playing as a link-up forward, an intercepting defender, or a running wing option. Her coaches have praised her adaptability, decision-making, and game awareness.[1]

Personal life

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Outside of football, Smith has balanced her sporting commitments with part-time work and study. She has spoken about her interest in coaching and development roles within women's football after her playing career.[citation needed]

Statistics

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Updated to the end of the 2025 season.[10]

Legend
  G  
Goals
  K  
Kicks
  D  
Disposals 
  T  
Tackles
  B  
Behinds 
  H  
Handballs 
  M  
Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2024Adelaide18 100224120.00.02.02.04.01.02.0
2024Adelaide18 200325110.00.01.51.02.50.50.5
2025Adelaide18 30015823370.00.05.02.77.71.02.3
Career 6002012325100.00.03.32.05.30.83.3

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Draftee in Focus: Brooke Smith (Adelaide)". Rookie Me Central. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  2. "Foxes to Crows: Brooke Smith signs an AFLW contract". Dandenong Star Journal. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  3. "AFLW: Smith's whirlwind journey to the Crows". AFC.com.au. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  4. "Brooke Smith – Player Profile". AFC.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  5. "Brooke Smith". aflwstats.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  6. "AFLW Injury Update: Brooke Smith". afc.com.au. 25 May 2026.
  7. "AFLW: Kelly joins Crows' nest". afc.com.au. 15 June 2026.
  8. "2024 SANFLW Mini-Draft". SANFL.com.au. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  9. "2024 SANFLW Mini-Draft". West Adelaide FC. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  10. "AFLW Stats - Brooke Smith". AFLW Stats. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
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