West Coast defender Ash Smith will use the heartbreak of missing last year’s AFL finals series as extra motivation this season.

Smith played 18 straight games last year before being struck down by a minor hamstring complaint in the final round of the home-and-away season.

The 21-year-old was ruled out of the qualifying final loss to Collingwood, and failed to break back into the side for finals games against Carlton and Geelong despite returning to full fitness.

Instead of dwelling on his finals disappointment, Smith is intent on making ever post a winner in 2012.

And the signs have been good so far, with Smith playing his role to aplomb in West Coast’s unbeaten start to the season.

“Something I’ve always wanted to do is play AFL finals,” Smith said ahead of Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne at Patersons Stadium.

“When I was a kid I only dreamed of it, so to miss out by a few spots last year was frustrating.

“But it drives me this year to get there and play a few finals.

“I’m starting to get a few games under my belt, which is helping.

“I’ve played 31 games now, so I feel like I belong out there now.

“The guys are really supportive and get around me, but I’ve still got to work harder and get better as a group.

“We’re not playing our best at the moment, we can still get better. Our press has not been as good as it was last year, so as a whole team we can get better.”