The 18-year-old was picked up by Wellington Phoenix after making his name at New Zealand's Sacred Hearts High School, and made his debut on the opening day of the season.

It was a remarkable rise for the lanky teenager, but far from overawe the youngster, he grasped his opportunity with both hands.

“It took a little getting used to because I couldn’t just tell people I played alright; they could see my games on TV," Smith said.

“My close mates treated me the same but it was a bit weird with teachers coming up to me saying ‘you played well on the weekend.'
 
“I didn’t have time to prepare for it. On Friday I was a normal student, then on Monday people really knew my name."
 
Smith appeared in the first six games for Wellington this season, where his inexperience and lack of time to prepare showed. He conceded 13 goals and was eventually dropped for 27-year-old Lewis Italiano.
 
The sudden transition from high school to A-League football was partnered by Smith having to leave home, and move to Wellington with a 'host family' - a 30-something couple he describes at like an "uncle and aunty", that have taught him how to cook.
 
 
Far from discourage Smith, however, the experience seems to have bouyed him. He relishes the relationship he has with the Phoenix players, and to his doubters, his statistics tell a promising story.
 
Smith averages three saves per match - the third most of any goalkeeper in the competition - and has the highest goalkeeping passing accuracy in the A-League, with 76%.
 
“I’ve got a great learning environment here,” he says. "Even just the little things, like demanding the warm up to be the way you want it to be. Not settling for anything less that will help you perform on the day.”
 
“The boys have been fantastic, giving me support and advice and even offering me rides back to school after training.

“They’re all good blokes. Things like, ‘stay in school, make sure you finish.'"

As a keen Liverpool supporter, and a larrikin keeper himself, it may surprise few 'Nix fans to learn that Smith's hero is a fellow renegade goalkeeper, if not a spectacularly talented one.
 
“I’m a fan of Bruce Grobbelaar," Smith said.
 
"He was proper crazy. I rate that about keepers.”