Ross Smith (Australian footballer, born 1942)

Ross Gibson Smith (born 12 September 1942) is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Ross Smith
Personal information
Full name Ross Gibson Smith
Date of birth (1942-09-12) 12 September 1942 (age 82)
Original team(s) Hampton Scouts
Debut Round 2, 1961, St Kilda vs. Essendon, at Windy Hill
Height 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight 75 kg (165 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1961–1972 St Kilda 222 (222)
1973–1974 Subiaco 039 0(22)
1975 St Kilda 012 00(8)
Total 273 (252)
Coaching career
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1973–1974 Subiaco
1977 St Kilda 22 (3–17–2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1975.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Smith played with St Kilda as a courageous rover. He won the Brownlow Medal in 1967 and captained Victoria at the 1972 Perth Carnival. He once broke his arm smothering a ball in the late sixties and recovered to captain the Saints in the early seventies.

He coached Subiaco to a premiership in 1973. He also coached his former club St Kilda for a single season (1977), leading them only three wins and to their first wooden spoon in 22 years.

He also went on to lecture in physical education at Rusden SCV in Melbourne during the 1980s.

He was inducted to the Saints inaugural Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition he was chosen as first rover in St Kilda's Team of the Century.

References

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