Inaugural SUN Zac Smith says he can’t wait to get started again with his former club after returning to the Gold Coast on the final day of the Telstra Trade Period.

The 206cm ruckman was drafted to Gold Coast in 2010 as a local talent access selection before being traded to Geelong for the 2016 season.

Smith re-joined the SUNS in exchange for pick 58 in the 2019 National Draft after the club facilitated a trade with Geelong on Wednesday.

“(I’m) really excited to be back,” Smith told SUNS Media.

“Obviously there’s still some mixed emotions but when the opportunity came up, particularly for two years so I could really dig my teeth in and really have an impact, (it was the right decision).

“I feel like there’s still some unfinished business as well and the club has changed totally since I was there so I’m just really excited to be back and hopefully help the club move forward.”

Smith said a lot had changed since he last pulled on the red and gold guernsey, both on and off the park.

“I suppose on the field as a player I’ve developed a fair bit,” he said.

“But it’s probably more off the field as a person and my belief in who I know I am.

“I’ve grown a lot, I’ve had a little girl and my family has grown.

“Hopefully I can bring that experience back to the club and help the younger guys out and drive that.”

Smith said he was happy to reunite with former Gold Coast teammates such as David Swallow and Sam Day, as well as his ex-Geelong teammates George Horlin-Smith and Jordan Murdoch.

The 28-year-old has played 115 AFL games – 65 with the SUNS and 50 with Geelong – and says he sees himself supporting co-captain Jarrod Witts in the ruck department while also being an experienced head off the field.

“I had a quick chat to Stuey in terms of the next couple of years,” Smith said.

“I suppose it’s just driving Wittsy and also competing for that spot as well. 

“It’s going to be exciting times I think over the next 12 months.

“The club’s going in the right direction, I’m excited to be a part of it and really be a leader as well at the club.”