Archie Smith Biography

Archie Smith announces hire retirement after eight seasons with the Lions.

"I've been sitting on this for a long time now, but perspective, priorities and the importance of wellbeing have led me to the right choice," Smith said.

"I walked into the Brisbane Lions an 18-year-old who'd never kicked a footy and was expected to last a year as a project player. Eight years of pro football later I'm retiring, super proud of the memories I've made and the relationships I've gained."

Archie Smith informs the Lions that he will be seeking a new club for a fresh start in 2022.

Archie Smith writes his brother's name on his wrist before playing every game. It's a reminder of who he wants to play for, and who he doesn't want to let down.

The Brisbane ruckman has endured a traumatic eight months following 21-year-old Sebastian's death by suicide. Smith is fighting his own mental battles, but after taking a break from footy early in the year and getting in touch with mental health support organisation Headspace, he's slowly improving.

"I have such vivid, clear memories of his voice, his mannerisms, how he was. I remember him as a young kid, he'd leave me letters on my bed," Smith said.

"He was fiercely loyal and incredibly compassionate. He loved his family, loved his brothers."

"We meant the world to him, and in a way that's why he bottled how he was feeling, because he didn't want to be a burden to us, when we were trying to convince him he wasn't."

Archie Smith will be sidelined for six weeks after sustaining a syndesmosis injury during Brisbane's four-point win over Melbourne.

Archie Smith, Sam Skinner, Corey Lyons and Matt Eagles all delisted by Brisbane but have been told by the club they will be re-drafted on either the primary or rookie lists.

Archie Smith signs a new two-year deal with Brisbane to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

Archie Smith tells of his painful encounter with a stingray on New Year's Eve.

"I was just swimming in between the flags at (Nobby's Beach), jumped over a wave and annoyed a stingray," Smith said.

"He shot a barb into my foot.

"I'm not a good swimmer at the best of times, but I think I was Michael Phelps heading back into shore.

"Suddenly, I had a crowd of people around me on the beach and they're telling me it was a stingray, I thought it was a stonefish.

"Next minute, I'm in excruciating pain because it releases a bit of toxin and it got to me.

"I'm not afraid to say I teared up a little bit, it was pretty sore.

"Next thing, I'm in the ambulance and they did an ultrasound and they showed me this big barb that's actually still inside me foot.

"They decided to put me into surgery and operate on it and get it out."

Archie Smith is taken to hospital in an ambulance after stepping on a stingray on the morning of New Year's Eve at Nobby Beach on the Gold Coast.

Smith had the stingray barb removed from his right foot and received several stitches.

He tweeted a picture of the injured foot and the barb, telling his followers "safe to say the stingray won this round".

Archie Smith signs a two-year contract extension with Brisbane that will see him remain at the club until the end of 2018 whilst also being elevated to the club's senior list.

"I'm really excited. My first couple of years wasn't just about learning from Stef and Trent, it was also about learning the game in a lot of ways because I only played that year of football before I got drafted," Smith said.

"Now I really want to push for more senior games and have an impact on some wins ahead."

Archie Smith makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at the Gabba with 19 disposals (2 kicks and 17 handballs), a mark, 5 tackles and 30 hitouts in a 94-point loss to Port Adelaide.

Basketball convert Archie Smith is entering his final year as a Lions rookie and says it is time to make the grade.

"At the end of last season I hit a turning point, and the feeling-out period of AFL had gone," Smith said.

"I really want to dominate this sport and succeed in this sport.

"I'm going to attack everything with a 'playing seniors' mentality because that's all I want now, I want a career in AFL."

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch says Archie Smith may be elevated to cover the likely loss of ruckman Trent West.

"I love the way Archie plays," Leppitsch said.

"He's a basketball convert and they're real exciting to watch and I think his work around the ruck would be terrific, but it's just if the kid's ready. I don't want to throw him in if he needs time."