When the inaugural AFLW season burst onto the sporting landscape six years ago, a then 13-year-old Jasmyn Smith knew she was destined to be part of the competition.
She envisaged running out onto Metricon Stadium which was just around the corner from her Carrara home.
“The game is just so inspiring for younger generations,” Smith said.
“If I can pull on the red and yellow Gold Coast Suns guernsey and inspire a few girls to join AFLW than that would be a dream come true.”
Now 18, with only five games of senior football with the Bond Bull Sharks to her name, Smith took the next step towards her AFLW debut last night.
The Suns drafted the dynamic midfielder/forward with selection 52 in last night’s 2022 AFLW draft held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Smith and her family were eagerly watching the event at a small function at the Suns’ high-performance base when her name was announced.
“My dad was emotional, I think he shed a few tears!” She laughed.
“He’s been waiting for this moment. It was a great night.
“I think it’s a huge honour to be able to continue my footy career with the Suns, it’s the perfect story.”
Smith was exceptional at the 2022 AFLW Draft Combine, posting the fastest time in the 2km time trial (7:22). Earlier this year at the AFLW U18 National Championships, Smith had the most contested footy in the competition.
Ever since Smith told her father Shane, a former Geelong VFL player that she wanted to pursue AFLW, he has been her biggest supporter. Encouraging her to join the Broadbeach Cats where her talent was identified by Suns Academy selectors.
“I’ve always had in the back of my mind that every time I’ve stepped on the field whether it was my junior years or my first senior game that this is one step closer to playing AFLW because that is my ultimate goal.” She said.
It helped that Smith, who stands at a petite 160cm tall, had a poor experience with a different sport at Emmanuel College, where she is currently in year 12.
“At school we had to choose a sport for semester two. I tried out for basketball, didn’t make the basketball team, didn’t like it anyway,” Smith explained.
“So I went to my second sport which is AFL and I ended up loving it and I just continued that throughout.”
Smith’s name began gaining serious traction in football circles following her breakout season with Broadbeach in 2021.
“That was a huge year. We were undefeated, we won the premiership, and I was able to captain the side which was the biggest honour. I was also awarded the league’s best and fairest.” She said.
But it is the Bond University AFL Club which she credits for inspiring her to become a skilful pressure player.
She made her senior QAFLW debut in the round one 82-nil thumping of Wilston Grange.
“It was really fast paced, I wasn’t really prepared for it. But I ended up getting best on ground that week so I must have done something right!
“I was playing that high forward position, pushing up into the midfield at the back of some stoppages and I really worked hard throughout the game.”
If Smith ever tires of football- which she said is unlikely to happen- she would have no problem forging a successful media career.
The budding model is a children’s television host with 10 Shake on Network 10’s digital arm and also has several short films to her name.
Her Instagram is equally as impressive, she boasts 35,000 Instagram followers. She said her football posts always attract positive feedback from other young women.
“There have been quite a few girls who have sent me messages saying good job, and I’m like, thanks girl!”
Her popularity will only increase once she begins playing in nationally televised AFLW matches.