Ahead of the 2017 NEAFL season, Southern Districts Football Club’s Sam Smith has put pen to paper for his first outing with NT Thunder.

Smith, who turns 21 on New Year’s Eve, is an athletic utility who is currently playing as a ruckman for the Crocs but is known for his ability to play in most key positions.

In 2013 he was part of the Under 18 AFLNT State Academy squad and he spent the past 12 months in Melbourne with the Box Hill Hawks but had an injury-interrupted season.

Smith has been with Southern Districts since joining the under 13 competition and has played 35 Premier League games in the past four TIO NTFL seasons.

NT Thunder Head Coach, Andrew Hodges described Smith as a multidimensional player.

“Sam has a fantastic vertical leap that enhances him from being a medium size player to allow him to play as a tall.

“I’ve been watching him for some time and know he has the skill and ability that will see him fit right in,” Hodges said.