Not writing off Stack by any stretch, but he was given opportunities, and didn't play well. Which was disappointing. The condensed fixture will provide depth players a good chance to get games
Player Watch #43: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith
- Thread starter Bojangles17
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stack could be anything, id like him in the midfield but not sure his tank is up to it.
Forward
midfield
defender
Tiger_Of_Old
THE_GUN:"Why don't you use your reg acc"7/9/24
Like Balta.
A big step up on opposition this week.
I have faith he won't disappoint.
A big step up on opposition this week.
I have faith he won't disappoint.
Cotchin for Caddy.
Stack next in line. For Rioli up until half time last week, but thought he showed some signs after half time so he may survive the cut.
DES played well and will keep him out for the short term at least.
Would love to see him on a wing, but his form hasn't warranted it.
But such a talent, will get some time in the next month or so.
Stack next in line. For Rioli up until half time last week, but thought he showed some signs after half time so he may survive the cut.
DES played well and will keep him out for the short term at least.
Would love to see him on a wing, but his form hasn't warranted it.
But such a talent, will get some time in the next month or so.
- May 15, 2017
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deggs
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No he’s 22yo, ridiculous tbh
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Didnt see the NM game but every time i have seen egg play i have liked what i see.
Said at the start of the year Houli is now at a stage where he is stifling the development of younger players i really hope he retires at seasons end.
Said at the start of the year Houli is now at a stage where he is stifling the development of younger players i really hope he retires at seasons end.
Wasn't he AA last year. Older players always stifle young, and he is possibly near the end, but it isn't like he isn't any good any more. (Early season form has been average but so was everyone's).
OhhDeledio
Premiership Player
houli was runner up in the norm for the 2nd time and was AA just last year. we are in our window now so why would you want him to retire?
- Dec 5, 2017
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Houli is still playing at a very strong standard. Im staggered to read that someone wants him moved on.
DontArgue4
17🏆19🏆20🏆
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You dont seem to watch many of our games, if any
Mopsy wanted Kevin Bartlett to retire in 1972 after we lost the Grand Final.
. It’s what Mopsy does, it’s who he is, he retires players.It’s in his DNA.
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A good article on DES
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith on his journey from country footy to the MCG with Richmond
Maybe it was never being invited to try out for state teams as a kid, or being cut by the Bendigo Pioneers’ TAC Cup squad in pre-season two years in a row.
Maybe it was moving to Melbourne to train with Richmond’s VFL team, then travelling 550km back home to play country footy with Wentworth each week when he missed out on selection.
And when the travel got too much he played amateurs with the Fitzroy Stars.
Or maybe it was in 2016 when Richmond nominated him as a Next Generation Academy prospect and overlooked him in the draft, before finally adding him to their list as Category B rookie a year later.
Whatever it was, something was always driving Derek Eggmolesse-Smith to prove that he could make it.
“He had a lot of kicks in the arse, as far as not getting into squads and so forth,” his former senior coach at Wentworth, Jason Bell, said.
“But he worked his bum off, he was fit, a beautiful ball user and probably tried to do too much at times but he could get away with it because he was exceptional.”
Eggmolesse-Smith – ‘Eggy’ or ‘Dekker D’ as his teammates call him – has done it the hard way to get an AFL game with Richmond, but that’s what makes him appreciate it so much more.
“It’s a good opportunity they’ve given me now, it’s been a long road but an exciting one as well,” he said.
“I hope there’s a big future ahead for myself and my family.
“Damien (Hardwick) has been great, getting around me and asking me to get more of the ball and make good decisions for the team, play to my strengths – which is run and carry and take the game on.
“Ever since I’ve been at the club he’s been telling me to use that left foot and that’s what I try to do.”
Eggmolesse-Smith in action for Wentworth in the Sunraysia Football League. He won the McLeod Medal in 2016.
Eggmolesse-Smith played all his junior footy at Wentworth, a tiny town neighbouring Mildura on the NSW side of the Murray River.
His under-16 team in 2014 also included Jarrod Brander who is now at West Coast, and Kobe Mutch who is at Essendon, and his coach Jason Wilkie describes him as “always smiling but very shy”.
“But when he played footy he was a completely different person,” Wilkie said.
“He had confidence, he held the ball longer, normally if you’re a shy kid you just get the ball and give it to someone, you don’t want to make a mistake.
“He had the confidence and prowess, and at times he’d run between two and three people they’d be so mesmerised they’d be running alongside him unable to tackle him.
“One day as a 17-year-old playing senior footy he got the ball on the back flank and started running, he ran around in an arc, went to centre-half-back and kept bouncing all the way through the centre and kicked it to full forward.
“He would have ran 150 metres and no-one could touch him.”
His mother, on the Eggmolesse side, is a South Sea Islander from northern Queensland while his dad, Derek Snr, is Aboriginal and played footy at Wentworth, but had a rugby background and once tried out for the Brisbane Broncos.
“He never told me much about his sporting career,” Eggmolesse-Smith said.
“But he’s pretty much one of the proudest blokes back home now and last year they (parents) came to my second game and brought some family members to the MCG which was pretty special.”
Eggmolesse-Smith made his senior debut with Wentworth as a 16-year-old in 2015 then won the McLeod Medal as the league’s best player in his first full season a year later.
He was overlooked for the Pioneers’ squad two years in a row, but got a call up to play three separate TAC Cup games.
“They didn’t tell me much about it, they just said I was playing some good footy and they wanted to give me a shot but it wasn’t a full season,” he said.
“I was a bit disappointed but at the same time I was having fun playing footy back home.”
Wentworth used another of its famous exports in Ben McGlynn to motivate Eggmolesse-Smith to keep going.
McGlynn used to sleep on the couch at the home of Richie Vandenberg – another Wentworth favourite son – while trying to get a game at Box Hill before he was drafted by Hawthorn and later played with Sydney.
“Maybe only once I had to give him a bit of a pep up to keep working hard, but we’ve got Benny McGlynn as the perfect example for them to reflect on,” Bell said.
“We know Benny did it the hard way, came off a rookie list at Hawthorn and it’s a pretty easy sell for us when we talk to those boys.
“Just because you don’t make an under-18 list or an AFL list to start with doesn’t mean it’s all over, you just keep working and to Derek’s credit that’s exactly what he did.”
Going to school at Coomealla High in NSW, Eggmolesse-Smith was initially aligned to GWS’ Next Generation Academy but when he moved across the border to Mildura he became part of Richmond’s recruiting zone and the Tigers pounced.
They travelled to Mildura to watch him play twice and he moved to Melbourne where Richmond staffers Luke Murray and Todd Sigalas later took him under their wing.
“It’s a great result for the program and a source of pride for us all, but I’m just delighted for him, he’s worked so hard,” Sigalas said.
“But also for what it means to the other young kids in the programs and the role model he is because of his pathway.
“He has a very supportive family but he was (a long way away) in Mildura and opportunities have been less than metropolitan areas and that’s a reason the NGA programs are brought in, so kids from remote communities can get those and Derek is a good example of that.”
The 22-year-old made his AFL debut in Round 16 last year and has played the last two games of this season in Richmond’s quarantine hub, to replace Bachar Houli’s run off halfback.
“The night before they flew out to go into the hub I got a call from the recruiting manager saying ‘pack my bags’,” Eggmolesse-Smith said.
“I wasn’t initially coming to Queensland, I was staying home with my partner (Emily) but then I got the call.
“Everything worked out pretty well, she’s up here now and in quarantine in another hotel and gets out tomorrow and I’ve told her to go and see her family before she sees me because it’s a good opportunity for her being from Queensland.”
Last week he led Richmond’s stats sheet with 23 disposals in its win over North Melbourne, which coach Damien Hardwick said was encouraging.
“Derek’s got the ability to play the game, he can find the ball, use the ball really well, he’s just got to find his way in the AFL system,” Hardwick said.
“That’s a positive of us as a footy club, we embrace all those who can play, and we’re starting to see a little bit of that.
“He’s still got a long way to go, don’t get me wrong, but he’s showing some signs.”
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith on his journey from country footy to the MCG with Richmond
Maybe it was never being invited to try out for state teams as a kid, or being cut by the Bendigo Pioneers’ TAC Cup squad in pre-season two years in a row.
Maybe it was moving to Melbourne to train with Richmond’s VFL team, then travelling 550km back home to play country footy with Wentworth each week when he missed out on selection.
And when the travel got too much he played amateurs with the Fitzroy Stars.
Or maybe it was in 2016 when Richmond nominated him as a Next Generation Academy prospect and overlooked him in the draft, before finally adding him to their list as Category B rookie a year later.
Whatever it was, something was always driving Derek Eggmolesse-Smith to prove that he could make it.
“He had a lot of kicks in the arse, as far as not getting into squads and so forth,” his former senior coach at Wentworth, Jason Bell, said.
“But he worked his bum off, he was fit, a beautiful ball user and probably tried to do too much at times but he could get away with it because he was exceptional.”
Eggmolesse-Smith – ‘Eggy’ or ‘Dekker D’ as his teammates call him – has done it the hard way to get an AFL game with Richmond, but that’s what makes him appreciate it so much more.
“It’s a good opportunity they’ve given me now, it’s been a long road but an exciting one as well,” he said.
“I hope there’s a big future ahead for myself and my family.
“Damien (Hardwick) has been great, getting around me and asking me to get more of the ball and make good decisions for the team, play to my strengths – which is run and carry and take the game on.
“Ever since I’ve been at the club he’s been telling me to use that left foot and that’s what I try to do.”
Eggmolesse-Smith in action for Wentworth in the Sunraysia Football League. He won the McLeod Medal in 2016.
Eggmolesse-Smith played all his junior footy at Wentworth, a tiny town neighbouring Mildura on the NSW side of the Murray River.
His under-16 team in 2014 also included Jarrod Brander who is now at West Coast, and Kobe Mutch who is at Essendon, and his coach Jason Wilkie describes him as “always smiling but very shy”.
“But when he played footy he was a completely different person,” Wilkie said.
“He had confidence, he held the ball longer, normally if you’re a shy kid you just get the ball and give it to someone, you don’t want to make a mistake.
“He had the confidence and prowess, and at times he’d run between two and three people they’d be so mesmerised they’d be running alongside him unable to tackle him.
“One day as a 17-year-old playing senior footy he got the ball on the back flank and started running, he ran around in an arc, went to centre-half-back and kept bouncing all the way through the centre and kicked it to full forward.
“He would have ran 150 metres and no-one could touch him.”
His mother, on the Eggmolesse side, is a South Sea Islander from northern Queensland while his dad, Derek Snr, is Aboriginal and played footy at Wentworth, but had a rugby background and once tried out for the Brisbane Broncos.
“He never told me much about his sporting career,” Eggmolesse-Smith said.
“But he’s pretty much one of the proudest blokes back home now and last year they (parents) came to my second game and brought some family members to the MCG which was pretty special.”
Eggmolesse-Smith made his senior debut with Wentworth as a 16-year-old in 2015 then won the McLeod Medal as the league’s best player in his first full season a year later.
He was overlooked for the Pioneers’ squad two years in a row, but got a call up to play three separate TAC Cup games.
“They didn’t tell me much about it, they just said I was playing some good footy and they wanted to give me a shot but it wasn’t a full season,” he said.
“I was a bit disappointed but at the same time I was having fun playing footy back home.”
Wentworth used another of its famous exports in Ben McGlynn to motivate Eggmolesse-Smith to keep going.
McGlynn used to sleep on the couch at the home of Richie Vandenberg – another Wentworth favourite son – while trying to get a game at Box Hill before he was drafted by Hawthorn and later played with Sydney.
“Maybe only once I had to give him a bit of a pep up to keep working hard, but we’ve got Benny McGlynn as the perfect example for them to reflect on,” Bell said.
“We know Benny did it the hard way, came off a rookie list at Hawthorn and it’s a pretty easy sell for us when we talk to those boys.
“Just because you don’t make an under-18 list or an AFL list to start with doesn’t mean it’s all over, you just keep working and to Derek’s credit that’s exactly what he did.”
Going to school at Coomealla High in NSW, Eggmolesse-Smith was initially aligned to GWS’ Next Generation Academy but when he moved across the border to Mildura he became part of Richmond’s recruiting zone and the Tigers pounced.
They travelled to Mildura to watch him play twice and he moved to Melbourne where Richmond staffers Luke Murray and Todd Sigalas later took him under their wing.
“It’s a great result for the program and a source of pride for us all, but I’m just delighted for him, he’s worked so hard,” Sigalas said.
“But also for what it means to the other young kids in the programs and the role model he is because of his pathway.
“He has a very supportive family but he was (a long way away) in Mildura and opportunities have been less than metropolitan areas and that’s a reason the NGA programs are brought in, so kids from remote communities can get those and Derek is a good example of that.”
The 22-year-old made his AFL debut in Round 16 last year and has played the last two games of this season in Richmond’s quarantine hub, to replace Bachar Houli’s run off halfback.
“The night before they flew out to go into the hub I got a call from the recruiting manager saying ‘pack my bags’,” Eggmolesse-Smith said.
“I wasn’t initially coming to Queensland, I was staying home with my partner (Emily) but then I got the call.
“Everything worked out pretty well, she’s up here now and in quarantine in another hotel and gets out tomorrow and I’ve told her to go and see her family before she sees me because it’s a good opportunity for her being from Queensland.”
Last week he led Richmond’s stats sheet with 23 disposals in its win over North Melbourne, which coach Damien Hardwick said was encouraging.
“Derek’s got the ability to play the game, he can find the ball, use the ball really well, he’s just got to find his way in the AFL system,” Hardwick said.
“That’s a positive of us as a footy club, we embrace all those who can play, and we’re starting to see a little bit of that.
“He’s still got a long way to go, don’t get me wrong, but he’s showing some signs.”
Barkindjiman
Debutant
- May 22, 2019
- 93
- 190
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That’s a good write up on Derek Jr on his ups and downs in his footy career from a young age till now what he went through to progress for his future to play AFL of even sleeping with a Football, Basketball from a young age right through of getting cut in afl academies and he still has a ball in his hand today lol, but still kept going and proved himself that he could do and trust me he didn’t like anyone Skitting him up and even himself didn’t like it,
He just done it on the field of becoming that quiet boy off the field but like it says in the article he is quiet but on field he wasn’t lol,
Derek jr loved his AFL/NRL & B-ball which looking back on his whole family playing all sports in local and in Higher level for any sport,
But chose to go further in AFL to play at his ability of playing AFL, All family knew that he had it in him to go further and he just loved the game and couldn’t stop him with any ball in his hand of creating a kick, Pass or throw to do anything,
All three of our kids are very sporty from a young age with parents always travelled and payed our own way at times to progress in their sports they loved,
Um..Cut it short and could go on and on cause there is more to the story from all backgrounds in sports Derek Eggy- Smith even From the Dad and family, Mother and Family and his sister and Brother,
Very Proud Parents
️
Mother - Leilani Eggmolesse QLD South Sea Inlander
Father - Derek Smith Snr NSW Barkindji man ( River People) but born in Mildura Victoria
️He’s our number 1 supporter in our family and everyone back at his home towns as well,
BIG Thanks to Richmond club of recruiting him and had faith in him as well,
“GO SON DEKKA JR, EGGY- SMITH”
On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
- Oct 27, 2014
- 18,031
- 123,431
- AFL Club
- Richmond
More on the AFL web site
www.afl.com.au
Eggmolesse-Smith himself played with a blonde rinse through his hair alongside Chol in the VFL flag.
Growing up playing for Wentworth (NSW), near Mildura, he was cut by TAC Cup club Bendigo Pioneers in back-to-back pre-seasons before winning a reprieve to play a handful of games in his 2016 draft year.
Zoned to Richmond's Next Generation Academy (NGA), the 22-year-old was, however, overlooked at the draft and made to return home.
The next season he played five VFL games for the Tigers mixed with games for Wentworth in the Sunraysia League and Fitzroy Stars in the Northern Football League.
It was enough to earn him a spot on the Tigers' Category B rookie list in November 2017 as the club's first NGA graduate.
After a fractured leg derailed much of his 2018 season, the running defender broke through for two games in 2019 before tasting VFL success.
"He hadn't played any form of state league footy or anything, hadn't been through any of the traditional pathways, so really, he was starting from a long way back," Clarke said.
"First year he came in with raw talent and for a few years, (we thought), 'Are we really going to see the best of this kid?'
"We saw glimpses of it in the VFL and he'd play some great games of footy.
"Credit to (development coaches) Ryan Ferguson and Sam Lonergan this year working really hard getting his sense of pressure and contest right.
"We knew when he got the ball in his hands he could make things happen."
In his two games replacing Bachar Houli at half-back, Eggmolesse-Smith has turned heads with his ball use and last week collected a career-high 23 disposals against North Melbourne.
But it has been his improved professionalism that has impressed the Tigers' coaching staff just as much inside the Gold Coast hub.
"We have 43 or 44 players on our list and we automatically assume when players come into the football club, they know how to live a professional lifestyle straight away," Clarke said.
"Some pick it up quicker than others who need some more work, more time and some love and care around the direction and life they need to be living.
"Certainly, Derek was one of those players. He's been up every morning at 7am, he's made a commitment to one of our conditioning guys (Greg 'Clanger' Kleynjans), they're walking laps around the oval.
"Each night after dinner he's walking more laps. If you can walk five or six laps in the morning, you're covering off 3km and you do it again at night it's another 3km at low intensity.
"It's a commitment for him to change some of his habits that may not have been helping him in the past.
"The hub has been great for him and we just hope when he does leave and go back home that he continues to do the work."
The Richmond replacements: Cutting footy trip short, 6am sand dunes, hub walks
Richmond will have eight fresh faces from its 2019 premiership for Friday night's Grand Final rematch against GWS
www.afl.com.au
Eggmolesse-Smith himself played with a blonde rinse through his hair alongside Chol in the VFL flag.
Growing up playing for Wentworth (NSW), near Mildura, he was cut by TAC Cup club Bendigo Pioneers in back-to-back pre-seasons before winning a reprieve to play a handful of games in his 2016 draft year.
Zoned to Richmond's Next Generation Academy (NGA), the 22-year-old was, however, overlooked at the draft and made to return home.
The next season he played five VFL games for the Tigers mixed with games for Wentworth in the Sunraysia League and Fitzroy Stars in the Northern Football League.
It was enough to earn him a spot on the Tigers' Category B rookie list in November 2017 as the club's first NGA graduate.
After a fractured leg derailed much of his 2018 season, the running defender broke through for two games in 2019 before tasting VFL success.
"He hadn't played any form of state league footy or anything, hadn't been through any of the traditional pathways, so really, he was starting from a long way back," Clarke said.
"First year he came in with raw talent and for a few years, (we thought), 'Are we really going to see the best of this kid?'
"We saw glimpses of it in the VFL and he'd play some great games of footy.
"Credit to (development coaches) Ryan Ferguson and Sam Lonergan this year working really hard getting his sense of pressure and contest right.
"We knew when he got the ball in his hands he could make things happen."
In his two games replacing Bachar Houli at half-back, Eggmolesse-Smith has turned heads with his ball use and last week collected a career-high 23 disposals against North Melbourne.
But it has been his improved professionalism that has impressed the Tigers' coaching staff just as much inside the Gold Coast hub.
"We have 43 or 44 players on our list and we automatically assume when players come into the football club, they know how to live a professional lifestyle straight away," Clarke said.
"Some pick it up quicker than others who need some more work, more time and some love and care around the direction and life they need to be living.
"Certainly, Derek was one of those players. He's been up every morning at 7am, he's made a commitment to one of our conditioning guys (Greg 'Clanger' Kleynjans), they're walking laps around the oval.
"Each night after dinner he's walking more laps. If you can walk five or six laps in the morning, you're covering off 3km and you do it again at night it's another 3km at low intensity.
"It's a commitment for him to change some of his habits that may not have been helping him in the past.
"The hub has been great for him and we just hope when he does leave and go back home that he continues to do the work."
Coached his younger brother in basketball for a while, family was always there to support. Nice to see the family still supporting, although it's a rocky road for a parent/family, and can be on this board. So brace yourself.That’s a good write up on Derek Jr on his ups and downs in his footy career from a young age till now what he went through to progress for his future to play AFL of even sleeping with a Football, Basketball from a young age right through of getting cut in afl academies and he still has a ball in his hand today lol, but still kept going and proved himself that he could do and trust me he didn’t like anyone Skitting him up and even himself didn’t like it,
He just done it on the field of becoming that quiet boy off the field but like it says in the article he is quiet but on field he wasn’t lol,
Derek jr loved his AFL/NRL & B-ball which looking back on his whole family playing all sports in local and in Higher level for any sport,
But chose to go further in AFL to play at his ability of playing AFL, All family knew that he had it in him to go further and he just loved the game and couldn’t stop him with any ball in his hand of creating a kick, Pass or throw to do anything,
All three of our kids are very sporty from a young age with parents always travelled and payed our own way at times to progress in their sports they loved,
Um..Cut it short and could go on and on cause there is more to the story from all backgrounds in sports Derek Eggy- Smith even From the Dad and family, Mother and Family and his sister and Brother,
Very Proud Parents️
Mother - Leilani Eggmolesse QLD South Sea Inlander
Father - Derek Smith Snr NSW Barkindji man ( River People) but born in Mildura Victoria
He’s our number 1 supporter in our family and everyone back at his home towns as well,
BIG Thanks to Richmond club of recruiting him and had faith in him as well,
“GO SON DEKKA JR, EGGY- SMITH”
On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
Barkindjiman
Debutant
- May 22, 2019
- 93
- 190
- AFL Club
- Richmond
That’s a good write up on Derek Jr on his ups and downs in his footy career from a young age till now what he went through to progress for his future to play AFL of even sleeping with a Football, Basketball from a young age right through of getting cut in afl academies and he still has a ball in his hand today lol, but still kept going and proved himself that he could do and trust me he didn’t like anyone Skitting him up and even himself didn’t like it,
He just done it on the field of becoming that quiet boy off the field but like it says in the article he is quiet but on field he wasn’t lol,
Derek jr loved his AFL/NRL & B-ball which looking back on his whole family playing all sports in local and in Higher level for any sport,
But chose to go further in AFL to play at his ability of playing AFL, All family knew that he had it in him to go further and he just loved the game and couldn’t stop him with any ball in his hand of creating a kick, Pass or throw to do anything,
All three of our kids are very sporty from a young age with parents always travelled and payed our own way at times to progress in their sports they loved,
Um..Cut it short and could go on and on cause there is more to the story from all backgrounds in sports Derek Eggy- Smith even From the Dad and family, Mother and Family and his sister and Brother,
Very Proud Parents
Mother - Leilani Eggmolesse QLD South Sea Inlander
Father - Derek Smith Snr NSW Barkindji man ( River People) but born in Mildura Victoria
He’s our number 1 supporter in our family and everyone back at his home towns as well,
BIG Thanks to Richmond club of recruiting him and had faith in him as well,
“GO SON DEKKA JR, EGGY- SMITH”
On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
Sorry for missing out on his local club to and everyone that supported DeKKa Jr of Big thanks to Wenty Roos as well
On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
