Joel Smith is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Born on February 25, 1996, Smith has made a name for himself as a versatile forward and defender.
You can follow Joel Smith‘s net worth, prize money, earnings, stats, career overview, and more here.
Joel Smith’s Biography
| Full Name | Joel Smith |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1996 |
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 90 kg (198 lb) |
| Position | Forward, Defender |
| Current Club | Melbourne Football Club |
| Draft | No. 41, 2016 Rookie draft |
| Debut | Round 1, 2017, Melbourne vs. St Kilda, at Etihad Stadium |
| Original Team(s) | Maribyrnong Park (EDFL) |
| Number | 29 |
| Playing Career | 2016–present |
| Games (Goals) | 42 (12) as of the end of 2023 |
Early Life and College Career
Joel Smith is the son of former North Melbourne and Melbourne player Shaun Smith.
At a young age, he began playing Australian rules football, initially with Taylors Lakes, where he won two best and fairest awards.
He later moved to Maribyrnong Park Football Club for the under-16 season. Smith then switched to basketball, representing Australia at the under-19 level and playing with the Geelong Supercats in the South East Australian Basketball League in 2015.
Early Career
Smith made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2017 season against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
Despite facing challenges, including injuries, he has shown promise and versatility on the field, playing both as a forward and a defender.
Joel Smith’s early career is a testament to his adaptability and athletic prowess, making him a valuable player for the Melbourne Football Club.
Professional Career
The Melbourne Football Club signed Smith in October 2015 as a Category B rookie. He made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2017 season.
Despite showing promise, his career has been marred by injuries, including a significant foot injury in 2021 that caused him to miss Melbourne’s premiership win.
Smith has played 42 games and scored 12 goals for Melbourne as of the end of the 2023 season.
In October 2023, Smith was provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine.
In February 2024, he faced additional charges of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine, which could lead to a significant suspension from the sport.
Relationship Status
Joel Smith is engaged to Elise Carroll. The couple announced their engagement in December 2023, shortly after their daughter, Tilly, was born in September 2023.
Joel Smith’s Net Worth Details
Joel Smith’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025.
Contract
Smith signed a two-year contract extension with Melbourne in August 2022, keeping him at the club until 2024.
Career Stats
| Season | Games | Goals | Kicks | Handballs | Disposals | Marks | Tackles |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 2 |
| 2018 | 7 | 0 | 44 | 29 | 73 | 11 | 8 |
| 2019 | 14 | 9 | 59 | 37 | 96 | 28 | 11 |
| 2020 | 8 | 3 | 46 | 29 | 75 | 16 | 5 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 2 | 84 | 31 | 115 | 22 | 8 |
| 2023 | 14 | 12 | 87 | 48 | 135 | 32 | 16 |
| Total | 42 | 12 | 328 | 178 | 506 | 112 | 50 |
Career Achievements
- Represented Australia at under-19 level in basketball
- Played in Melbourne’s finals series in 2023
FAQs
1. Who is Joel Smith, the Australian rules footballer born in 1996?
Joel Smith, born on February 25, 1996, plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League. He started as a defender and also played as a forward. He is the son of former AFL player Shaun Smith and was recruited as a category B rookie in 2015. He debuted in 2017 and has played over 40 games for Melbourne.
2. What notable achievements did Joel Smith (born 1977) have in his AFL career?
Joel Smith, born in 1977, had a distinguished AFL career with St Kilda and Hawthorn, playing 221 games. He won All-Australian honors twice, received the Peter Crimmins Medal, and was vice-captain at Hawthorn. He retired in 2007 after helping Hawthorn return to the finals.
3. What is Joel Smith’s background in coaching and sports performance?
Joel Smith, MS, CSCS, is a respected NCAA Division I strength coach and track and field specialist. He has coached athletes to NCAA All-American honors and a national championship. He also founded Just Fly Sports to share training knowledge with coaches and athletes.
4. What roles has Joel Smith held in digital and social media consulting?
Joel Smith is a digital and social media consultant based in Melbourne, Australia. He specializes in content strategy, analytics, and public relations, with over ten years of experience. He works with major sporting organizations to optimize digital presence and audience engagement.
5. What is Joel Smith’s connection to Northeastern University basketball?
Joel Smith is an assistant coach for the Northeastern University men’s basketball team. He played for the Huskies from 2009 to 2013, had a professional basketball career, and later returned to Northeastern as a coach, focusing on recruiting and player development.
6. What is Joel Smith’s experience as a musician and educator?
Joel LaRue Smith is the Director of the Tufts Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Activities at Tufts University. He has led the orchestra on international tours and performed at major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and the White House. He holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and City College.
7. What sports did Joel Smith, the Arizona State University athlete, participate in?
Joel Smith competed in wrestling at Arizona State University, where he was a standout athlete. He was a state champion in high school, earned all-state honors, and was recognized as Athlete of the Year. He majored in business and was active in both wrestling and football.
8. What is the family background of Joel Smith, the 1996-born footballer?
Joel Smith is the son of Shaun Smith, who played for North Melbourne and Melbourne in the AFL. Joel followed in his father’s footsteps, joining Melbourne as a rookie and making his debut in 2017 after a successful junior career in both football and basketball.
9. Has Joel Smith, the AFL player, faced any controversies during his career?
Joel Smith was provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine following a match. In February 2024, he faced further accusations related to drug trafficking, resulting in a minimum two-year suspension from the AFL.
10. What are some of Joel Smith’s contributions to the field of sports education and writing?
Joel Smith, the strength coach, is also a writer and lecturer who aims to bridge the gap between sports theory and coaching practice. He has published training resources, presented at conferences, and is certified by the NSCA and USA Track and Field.
