An Interview with Corey Smith from Glenorchy Knights

Do you read Blogs and did you know that some have requested for an interview with Corey Smith?

"Yeah I read the Blogs, but mostly the comments don't concern me. The people that write the comments are obviously muckraking most of the time, because if they had a real issue with me surely they would take any issue to my club or the federation - it’s their way of hiding behind the name anonymous and still saying what they want regardless of how sensible it is. Certain things upset me on the Blog those being the more personal comments. If someone has an opinion on the way that I play or an opinion on what I'm like and how valuable I am to the team, then that's their opinion it's fine. What I don't like is the personal attacks on people either towards me or others particularly the younger players in the league. People don't know the other side of me or what I am like off the field so why should they comment."

So what is Corey Smith like off the Field?

"I would say that I am pretty laid back really. With my job I am involved with football people most of the time, I enjoy and love that. It has got to the point were my on field issues have the potential to effect my career, so I will need to decide what's more important, playing what I love or my career. This of course is in relation to my red cards, because people don't know why I received the red cards people may form the wrong conclusion about me. For instance you may see that I got a red card, what you don't know is what the card was for. I think that my three red cards this season have been really harsh to be honest. I'm basically paying for being a spoilt brat in the past I guess. I forged a reputation for myself when I was younger and unfortunately that reputation has brought me unstuck now. I think when I was younger at 15 I had the ability and size to play senior soccer but maturity wise I wasn't ready."

"When I was young I made mistakes and that damaged my reputation and has stuck with me ever since. I don't blame referees for this situation, they obviously try and be impartial but if Corey Smith goes in for a tackle and they other team go up with a fuss, they automatically assume I have done the wrong thing because of my reputation. It must be hard for referees but it is extremely frustrating for me as well. Most frustrating of all though is what a red card means for my team and my club, because if I get sent off they are the ones to suffer. I have read in some Blogs the question why does the club continue to persist with Corey Smith? To be honest if I had the disciplinary record of mine I wouldn't persist either...but then club does persist because they see what I have received the cards for, and they see that the cards aren't a fair indication of what has happened."

What I find hardest is the inconsistencies in ref’s decisions in a game. For instance there were similar situations or worse than what I got a card for and these incidents go unpunished, not a free kick or yellow given to other players for similar offenses. So that's the hardest pill to swallow. It's like there is one rule for me and different standards for others."

What are Knights doing to encourage respect for referees?

"It must be hard being a referee I can empathise with them. The Knights have had an evening when we invited Robert Freke to have a night with the youth, plus an information session for being a referee. Despite my personal record I am very firm with our youth regarding referees and very respectful of referees. Knights are very positive about refereeing and trying to promote players into the role.
I don't find the ref training courses that accessible though...we should be looking outside the playing committee into the broader community for refs...you see AFL advertise for umpires why we can’t we do that. ....In regards to abuse being a reason for it being hard to keep referees, I would agree totally with that, but I would put it to them that they receive less abuse at every game than I do. So there should be protection for both referees and players.
The clubs need to be responsible for abuse to players as they are with referees. You can ignore the abuse for so long but it doesn't make for a fun environment to play in. So I can empathise with referees in regards to abuse better than most. FFT need to focus on education clubs and making it better for people on the park. Why give up referring just because you’re being abused, aren’t the ref’s being paid for the job. As a player you don't get paid and you still cop abuse every week and we still keep playing.

I do find some clubs more personal in their abuse. I read Sean's interview and his view was very similar that you do dread going to play some clubs because of the abuse you know you are going to receive, but let’s say I enjoy scoring against those teams so much more than others. "

Have you always played for the Knights?

"I played for University first when I was younger this is when the state league was on and I played for the seniors for two years, then Metro Claremont for two seasons, and in 2004 to Zebra's for one year. Since 2005 I have been at the Glenorchy Knights. Knights has been the club I have felt most at home at, and this is the club that I have most of my friends at as well which is the reason I probably went there in the first place."

What do you consider your best year in soccer thus far?

2005 would have to be my best year which is when we won every competition. I think this Knights team was the strongest team that I have ever seen play. It would be interesting to see the 2005 Knights team play the current South Hobart side. Player for player it would be close, but I would say the Knights side would win. Eamon Kelly was the coach at the time. Shae Hickey and myself were bench players, and that was something I liked about this side, we had such a strong side that you had to work hard to earn a spot on the team sheet.
I think South have set the benchmark this year, they are the best both on field and are probably one of the strongest off the park. From the outside looking in I think the set up of the club looks good, there's a lot of focus on juniors. I like the fact that juniors are coming up through the ranks they haven't just recruited. Of course they have recruited some players who have obviously been attracted to the club. South have won the title by streets this year, and although for other clubs the title race has been a non event, it can only be good for the sport in the long run. I think other clubs need to aspire to improving their programs so they can compete with South Hobart.
I've been talking with people from other clubs and they looking to lift the bar, looking to import players and develop more juniors which they haven't had to do in the past to keep up with South. This can only be a good thing for local soccer.

So what are the Knights doing for next year?

"Last year and the year before we obviously brought down Breno and Igor through Futsal, so repeating this is an option depending on viability off course. There are a few players we are looking to recruit from other clubs and interstate, which obviously I can't talk about...if you can get another player why not. We were obviously looking early in the year at recruiting Seth Otte because he's exceptionally good but not getting a start in the South Hobart seniors. Players such as that, which can strengthen your squad why would you not contact them, any club will do that.
At the end of the season I think and I hope the Knights will keep the majority of our players together. Knights are intending to sign a new coach as well. I hope Nick will continue with the Reserves as he has done a fantastic job this year. Hopefully a new coach will also attract new quality players as well."

The resignation of Eamon Kelly last year what effect did that have on the club in your opinion?

"The whole event was an interesting time, it all happened so quickly, nobody saw it coming. It did destabilise the team for a short time but it wasn't as bad as others have made out. We drew with New Town Eagles nil all which was the day it all happened. That game was at Clare Street and that's always going to be a hard game - Eagles have a fortress at Clare Street. The week after we drew Burnie United in the cup and absolutely dominated, had 70% of the procession and still managed to lose the game. Then everyone started coming out saying we had lost our way. I'm pretty sure after that we played South Hobart in the anniversary match and that was a disaster. We didn't have a full strength side and South Hobart with a big crowd came out to play and ripped us to shred. So the three games, the devastating loss to South Hobart and people had written off the second placed side, but a lot of clubs would like to be in the same place as the Knights right now, equal second in the league, we've still got results and we've still got all the players we started with and lost no one because of it. "

Were do you see your future in soccer?

"I find coaching more rewarding than playing, Futsal more so than outdoor. I find it really rewarding to watch the younger players develop and have opportunities to play. Obviously being 27 I'm not ready to retire...while your still fit its great to keep playing, but one eye I have on my career in football which I love"

What is your career then?

"My role is the state coordinator in Futsal and acting as the current CEO while our CEO is sick. It involves running Futsal, which is indoor soccer across the state. The primary roles are administrating the sport, coaching, co-ordinating of the programs etc. An aim is to have our Futsal program. Statewide we currently have 3000 players and it’s a rapidly growing sport. Our biggest areas are Hobart, and the North West and we are expanding into Launceston, Kingborough, Devonport and Dodges Ferry. By the end of summer we aim to six fully operational regions of Futsal in the state."

What's the difference between Futsal and FFT's Indoor Soccer?

“Haha should I answer that?...............Ummm well.......... We offer a lot more pathways for kids. Futsal for us is a sport in its own right, for FFT it’s an off season offering. Vikings Futsal is the biggest Futsal organisation across the world and we have connections to clubs like Barcelona FC, Atletico Mineiro and Rhyl FC across the globe...we can send kids to these places as part of the development pathways which is an obvious difference to FFT. In terms of the weekly competition we are quite similar. If I had to choose been FFT and VIKINGS I would say play both if you have the time.”

What did you think of the Central Coast Mariners Game?

"What a great initiative but it means nothing if there is no continuity involved. I would like to see an under 23 team playing against the Central Coast annually. I'd prefer them to say Under 23 and just stick to the younger players. This time they did stipulate that it was a senior team open to all players but then they did pick a younger team. If they stuck with a formula ongoing you don't get the older players being in the initial squad and then having it cut out from underneath them, like Ben Croswell for instance. If it’s a senior men's side why wasn't Ben in the team? On a good day I think Ben is the best player in the state. I thought there were some strange selections in the Tassie squad but I can’t see any reason why Ben wasn't in the side. For me he is the best player in the state...reeks havoc when he's playing well a big game player."

"FFT need to bring in some consistency with the sport and ensure that events happen regularly, for example 9 years ago I played a game for Tasmania u/23 against Melbourne Knights at York Park and since then there has been only 2 or 3 more games for Tasmanian teams? Why is this? and why can Vikings and clubs such as South Hobart bring in good teams and coaches on a regular basis and hold high profile events before the federation does so...they (FFT) need to be announcing now that games like Central Coast will be a regular thing. I think John Bolous will be good for the state and has made a positive impact already with his emphasis on participation.

How do you sum up your season this year?

“Season of lost opportunity, every time I run into a little form I've been suspended which is frustrating for me and my teammates. As an older player in the squad my team and club look to me for leadership and to be honest I think I've let my club down in that regard. I have had some really influential games and some games when I have been non existent. My aim for next year is to gain consistency and to play the full season and not be suspended. I do think my performance has been affected by the cards I have received this year. I find my self caught because every foul I give away I get a yellow card. The games I've struggled in I've just come back from suspension and have been hesitant, not worked as hard as I normally would as I've held back from tackles for instance and not played my normal game. This year I've had a better attitude and discipline in the game but have a worse disciplinary track record than ever. I need to keep my head down... I don't think I am a dirty player not at all, some may argue with my comment but I never go in with the intent to injury someone in a game. I play hard; I aim to give 100% to my club every time I play and that won't change.”

Most feared opponent?

"Janko Begovic from Knights when I played against him as he was always very intimidating and I was very young back then."

Biggest influences on career?

"Matty Sanders and Ben Peter, life long friends who I have grown with playing soccer."

If you could invite any three person to dinner from any time period and any field who would they be and why?

"Off the top of my head the three people I would invite would be the three referees who sent me off this year so I can have a long discussion. No that's a joke of course. I'd invite Alex Ferguson because he's stayed in job and pretty much achieved all there is to achieve. Coaching and education wise he would be fantastic to have at the table. Lance Armstrong would be my second choice because anyone who can overcome cancer and win 7 tours is amazing. His ability to motivate would be fantasic and a great man to talk to. Eric Cantona who is my childhood hero and the first number 7 at united I adored when I was a kid."