Why premiership Dog wouldn’t watch 2016 finals series back after retirement

Western Bulldogs premiership player Clay Smith only recently watched back the 2016 finals series.

The forward kicked eight goals across the four finals that the Bulldogs played in that magical run to a drought-breaking premiership that season, playing a key role in wins against West Coast in an Elimination Final, Hawthorn in a Semi-Final, GWS in a Preliminary Final and Sydney in the Grand Final.

While Smith was a strong contributor to the flag victory, he says he refused to watch back any of those famous games in the years after he retired in 2018 given his career was cut short due to persistent injuries.

Although it took some time for Smith to come to terms with how his 55-game career came to an end, he now looks back on that famous run fondly and has sat down to watch the most famous month in the club’s history.

Looking back, Smith was reminded of how unbeatable the Dogs looked and felt across that stretch.

“I’ve watched it back now,” Smith said on *SEN’s This is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.

“It took a little while because my career ended a little early.

“It’s the last time you’re going to play, and I didn’t want it to be real yet.

“But it was amazing, those four weeks were absolutely incredible it really was.

“It was just a ride of emotion and even when you watch it back, we looked unbeatable and that’s the way it felt out there.

“We had this belief, and it was incredible.”

Smith discussed his career and much more on this week’s episode with Sam Edmund.

Listen to the episode in full below.