Shaun Smith

DOB: 22 June, 1969
MFC Debut: Round 1, 1995 against Geelong at Kardinia Park
Last Game: Round 17, 1998 against North Melbourne at MCG

Games: 62 (109 total)
Goals: 96 (134 total)
Career Statistics (external link)

Wins	Draws	Losses	Winning %
23	0	39	37.09

From: Ainslie/North Melbourne/Werribee

Number: 29 1995-1998

Honours:
Mark of the Year - 1995

Originally from the ACT, once captain of the Territory's Teal Cup side and an Under 18 All-Australian, Smith was recruited from Werribee by North Melbourne and debuted in 1987. Although he was on the books at North and played 14 games of senior football in 1987 he spent much of 1988 in the ACTAFL - nine games for North, but 71 goals for Ainslie.

He had spent time as a defender, and once held Gary Ablett goalless, but after just 47 games in five injury riddled years he was dropped from North Melbourne's list at the end of 1992. Smith returned to Werribee for the next two years before being recruited by Neale Balme to join the Demons in 1995.

In his first year back in the AFL he booted 51 goals and became renowned as one of the most exciting high flyers in the league. His season culminated in the Mark of the Year, and many would argue of the century, against Brisbane in Round 22, 1995. The Demons needed to win to make the finals. They didn't, but Smith had proven to be a canny addition to the Demons squad.

He was destined never to play finals for the Demons, and his 1996 season was hindered by two broken arms. He still played 17 games, but for just 21 goals as the side started to crumble. Had the Melbourne Hawks merger gone through he would almost certainly have seen his career ended a second time considering the potential strength of a combined forward line.

1997 was another frustrating year in a poor side. He managed just nine goals in 12 games. He improved his record to 15 goals in 1998 from just 11 games, but went kickless in the Round 17 loss against North Melbourne and never played for the senior side again. His last great game was a five goal haul in a narrow round 8 win over Collingwood.

Delisted at the end of that season, Smith nominated for the draft but was not selected by another club returned to the VFL with Werribee. He spent significantly more time as a defender before retiring from senior football again at the end of the 2004 season.

In 2009 joined Newlyn in the Central Highlands league as a playing assistant coach before graduating to coach in 2010.