Grogan Medalist (QAFL League Best & Fairest) Ryan Banks-Smith will join the Sharks in 2023.
Banks-Smith is a talented midfielder who played for the Glenorchy Magpies in the Tasmania State League, before moving to Queensland in 2021 to play for Aspley in the VFL.
He remained at Aspley in 2022 and played in the QAFL averaging 27 disposals during the home and away season.
As well as winning the Grogan Medal in 2022, he also won Aspley’s Best and Fairest in the same year and played a key role in the Aspley QAFL Premiership.
The 21-year-old said that although he enjoyed playing at Aspley, he wants to be playing VFL football.
“I think I am good enough to play at this level, and I want to have another go at it.”
“The list at Southport is full of very good footballers. I’m pretty excited to learn from blokes like Jacob Dawson.
“You see the way they train and how they go about it, and it makes you want to be a better footballer.”
Banks-Smith will reunite with fellow new recruit Matt McGuinness, who he played with in Tasmania.
“It will be great to play footy with Matt again. He is not only a good footballer, but he is a great person.”
Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “Ryan is a very promising player. We were impressed with his year in the QAFL and are very excited to have him on our list for 2023.”