DOB: 22 September 1947
Debut: Round 3, 1966 against Richmond at MCG
Last MFC Game: Round 18, 1967 against Essendon at MCG
From: Melbourne Grammar
Number: 4 (1966-1967)
Games: 23 (38 total)
Goals: 23 (33 total)
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
6 | 0 | 17 | 26.08 |
The son of legendary coach Norm Smith was recruited from Melbourne Grammar with a reputation as a goalkicker. In 1964 he had kicked 20 goals in seven school games and was prominent again the next season. He didn't think of himself as a prospective league player but credited the opportunity to train with the Demons at the end of 1965 with his rapid improvement.
The Demons initially signed Smith as a supplementary list player but promoted him to the main list when he dominated the last practice match of 1966. He played 23 games as a second forward and ruck over two years, before walking out of the club after the 1967 season when members rejected his father's bid to join the committee.
Smith joined Ron Barassi at Carlton, playing 15 games between 1968 and 1970, and serving as their Reserves captain. He then joined Port Melbourne in the VFA, also serving as North Melbourne runner in 1973. In 1974 he moved to Coburg and kicked 121 goals in their Second Division premiership side, following that with 82 in the top flight the next year.
In 1980 Smith returned to Melbourne as a runner and was involved in a fracas with David Rhys-Jones of South Melbourne in Round 18, 1981. Rhys-Jones claimed that Smith grabbed him on the groin during an altercation but was still suspended for four matches. Executive Director Richard Seddon suggested that the Demons were considering legal action to clear Smith's name.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1966 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
1967 | 15 | 18 | 0 |
Media
Age - 06/05/1966, 05/08/1981
Inside Football - 31/05/1975
Links
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