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Posted May 9, 2004 - 6:21 AM
Adelaide coach Gary Ayres says 276-game veteran Nigel Smart will not play in the South Australian derby tonight because he wants to be assured the 35 year-old will play the remainder of the season.
As reported in the Herald Sun, Ayres believes if he plays Smart tonight he may be dropped again next week if he doesn't perform.
"When he gets back in the side, I want to keep him back in the side," Ayres said.
"Because if he was having to be dropped again, I think that would probably see the end of Nigel's career.
"So we want to make sure that's he's pretty much right to go and stay in the side for the rest of the year."
Smart is the second-oldest player in competition behind Lion Alastair Lynch.
