Athol William Smith (1913–1953) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. A Country New South Wales representative forward, he played club football in Sydney for Western Suburbs and Balmain (with whom he won the 1939 and 1944 NSWRFL Premierships and also later coached)

Athol Smith
Personal information
Full nameAthol William Smith
Born(1913-08-27)27 August 1913
Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
Died21 September 1953(1953-09-21) (aged 40)
Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1935–38 Western Suburbs 45 13 0 0 39
1939–45 Balmain 95 29 0 0 87
19??–?? Souths (Toowoomba)
Total 140 42 0 0 126
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1937 Country NSW 1 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1948–50 Balmain 66 40 6 20 61
Source: [1][2][3]

Playing career

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Balmain Premiers 1939 - Smith 1st row 2nd from right

Smith played seven seasons for the Balmain club between 1939 and 1945. He was a dual premiership winner with the Tigers, winning both the 1939 and the 1944 grand finals with them.

He later coached the club between 1948-1950.[4] </ref>[5]

Death

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Smith died on 21 September, 1953, aged 40.

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ Whiticker/Hudson
  3. ^ Rugby League Project Coaches
  4. ^ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League players - 1995 (ISBN 1875169571)
  5. ^ "Western Suburbs Magpies First Grade Players". Wests Magpies.

Didnt play for Qld in 1953 - that was another Athol Smith born in 1932