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Shaun Smith

Image DOB: 22 June 1969

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

From: Ainslie/Werribee/North Melbourne/Werribee, selection #14, 1995 Pre-Season Draft

Number: 29 (1995-1998)

Honours:
Mark of the Year - 1995

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

WinsDrawsLossesWinning %
2303937.09

Originally from the ACT, where he captained their Teal Cup side and was an Under 18 All-Australian, Smith was recruited by North Melbourne after playing for Werribee in the VFA. He debuted with 14 games in 1987, but spent time on loan to Ainslie the next year, playing nine senior games but also kicking 71 goals in the ACTFL. That year he represented the ACT in the Bicentennial Carnival interstate tournament.

Smith 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'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. He had trained with Fitzroy early in the pre-season, but Melbourne was looking for a forward to cover the pre-season loss of David Schwarz. Smith kicked 51 goals in his first season back in the major league, and was picked in the initial Victorian squad for a State of Origin game. He became known for a series of high marks, culminating in Mark of the Year in the last round.

Smith's 1996 season was hindered by two broken arms. He still played 17 games, but for just 21 goals in a poor side. 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. He had another frustrating year in 1997, with just nine goals in 12 games. He improved to 15 goals in 1998, including five in a narrow Round 8 win over Collingwood, but went kickless in the Round 17 loss against North Melbourne and never played for the senior side again.

Delisted at the end of that season, Smith nominated for the draft but was not selected by another club. He instead returned to Werribee, spending significantly more time as a defender before retiring from senior football again at the end of 2004. In 2009 joined Newlyn in the Central Highlands league as a playing assistant coach before graduating to coach in 2010.

His son Joel signed with Melbourne as a Category B rookie in October 2015 and later played senior football for the club.

YearGamesGoalsBrownlow
1995 22517
1996 17212
1997 1293
1998 11150

Video

Lists
Family
Interstate recruits
North Melbourne
VFA

Media
Age - 10/01/1995
Age - 24/05/1995
Age - 08/12/1999

Links
Australian Rules Football Wiki profile
Demonwiki image gallery
Draftguru profile
VFA Project profile
Wikipedia profile

Created by Supermercado. Last Modification: Thursday 14 March 2024 19:41:56 AEDT by Supermercado. (Version 35)

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