NORTH Albury recruit Jacob Smith knows it's inevitable he will be compared to his famous old man this season.
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The son of Western Bulldog legend, Rohan, Smith is all too familiar with the pressure and expectation that comes with being a son of a gun.
The 20-year-old has spent the past two seasons with Werribee Districts and managed two VFL matches for Footscray in 2018.
Smith said while he may not reach the same lofty heights as his father as a footballer, he was still determined to be the best player he possibly could.
"As a kid there was no such thing as a quick trip to Coles with dad - I can tell you that," Smith said.
"It didn't really hit me until I was 12 or 13 that having a dad that plays AFL was such a big deal.
"Before that I just thought dad played footy and was on TV.
"Having a famous father - everybody tends to compare you.
"Now that I'm older, I just do my own thing and am out there having a kick and trying to be the best player I can be.
"It doesn't matter who happens to be your mum or your dad, uncle or whatever, you are out there because you want to play football and that's what I'm doing."
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The trio all boast VFL experience and the highest-profile recruits to land at Bunton Park for several seasons.
Smith said his girlfriend, Georgia Schulz, and her father, Brett, a former fullback for the Hoppers were instrumental in him switching leagues.
"I wasn't playing VFL this year and my girlfriend and her family live in Table Top, so relocating to the area was going to be a smooth transition," he said.
"With Brett being involved with North Albury, the club got in contact and things snowballed from there."
Smith knows former Western Bulldog midfielder Daniel Cross who also played in two flags with Albury.
"I know Daniel fairly well who obviously has played for Albury the past couple of years," he said.
"So I know how strong the competition is and that Albury is a powerhouse.
"The thing that has stood out to me so far is how involved people are in their club and how passionate they are about football in the area.
"It's great and no surprise the amount of talent the league has produced."
Since signing with the Hoppers, Smith has been juggling his time between living in Melbourne and Albury.
But he is set to relocate to the Border early in the new year where he will start his new job as a junior accountant with Johnsons MME Chartered Accountants.
Smith said he was committed to being part of the Hoppers' rebuild under coach Isaac Muller after they won three matches last year.
"The club has certainly put out the welcome mat out for me and can't do enough for me," he said.
"Everyone acknowledges the club has been down for a while but is hungry for success and get back to playing finals.
"I think it is a common goal and everyone is prepared to put in the hard yards.
"It's a young group with a young coach, which is exciting.
"We want to be a quick, skillful side and unpredictable to the opposition."
Muller said Smith would slot into the midfield and help ease the workload on best and fairest winner George Godde who was forced to shoulder most of the load.
"Jacob has really embraced the culture at the club and has been a leader during the pre-season," Muller said.
"He is a versatile player but I can see him spending most of his time in the midfield."