Keith Smith (Australian footballer)
Encyclopedia
Keith Smith was a leading Australian rules football
er of the 1930s and 40s, playing for South Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Born in South Melbourne, Victoria
, the 178 cm tall Smith was recruited by South Melbourne from Victorian Football Association
(VFA) side Port Melbourne
. Described as a pacy and skillful player, Smith made his debut in Round 12 1936, against Melbourne
. It was to be his only match that year but returned in 1937 to become a regular member of the South Melbourne side for the rest of the 1930s.
Prior to the 1945 season, Smith had sought to return to Port Melbourne to finish his career but his application for a transfer was refused by South Melbourne. Smith decided to play one more season at South but there were suggestions that Smith was not pleased with the South Melbourne hierarchy. This was brought into the open on 13 July 1945 when the South Melbourne committee suspended Smith and South Melbourne captain Herbie Matthews
for disciplinary reasons after they refused to play in the Round 12 match against St Kilda because of the positions they had been selected in. Matthews, who normally played in the centre, had been named on the half forward flank and stated that he would play only if he was named in the centre. When South Melbourne coach Bull Adams
dropped Matthews from the side, he asked Smith, who had been named as an emergency, to replace Matthews. Smith refused, stating that he wished to play in the reserves to regain his form. Smith and Matthews were suspended indefinitely but after a meeting with officials, returned to the side after missing only one match.
Smith was selected on a half forward flank for the 1945 VFL Grand Final
against Carlton
. He kicked South Melbourne's first goal of the game, kicking two for the match in a losing cause, seriously injuring both thighs, and was considered one of South's best.
Reported for striking Jim Mooring
during the violent last quarter, Smith was found not guilty after Mooring concurred that Smith did not strike him.
Smith retired following the end of the 1945 season and moved to Dimboola
to play out his career.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er of the 1930s and 40s, playing for South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL).
Born in South Melbourne, Victoria
South Melbourne, Victoria
South Melbourne is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne...
, the 178 cm tall Smith was recruited by South Melbourne from Victorian Football Association
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFA) side Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
. Described as a pacy and skillful player, Smith made his debut in Round 12 1936, against Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
. It was to be his only match that year but returned in 1937 to become a regular member of the South Melbourne side for the rest of the 1930s.
Prior to the 1945 season, Smith had sought to return to Port Melbourne to finish his career but his application for a transfer was refused by South Melbourne. Smith decided to play one more season at South but there were suggestions that Smith was not pleased with the South Melbourne hierarchy. This was brought into the open on 13 July 1945 when the South Melbourne committee suspended Smith and South Melbourne captain Herbie Matthews
Herbie Matthews
Herbie Matthews was an Australian rules footballer who played for South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League. He was recruited from suburban Fairfield under the League's "father and son" rule. His father, 'Butcher' Matthews, partnered the great Roy Cazaly in South Melbourne's ruck...
for disciplinary reasons after they refused to play in the Round 12 match against St Kilda because of the positions they had been selected in. Matthews, who normally played in the centre, had been named on the half forward flank and stated that he would play only if he was named in the centre. When South Melbourne coach Bull Adams
Bill Adams (Australian footballer)
William 'Bill' Adams was an Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League before becoming coach of South Melbourne. He also went by his nickname of 'Bull' during his career.Adams was originally from South Fremantle where he played 32 games from...
dropped Matthews from the side, he asked Smith, who had been named as an emergency, to replace Matthews. Smith refused, stating that he wished to play in the reserves to regain his form. Smith and Matthews were suspended indefinitely but after a meeting with officials, returned to the side after missing only one match.
Smith was selected on a half forward flank for the 1945 VFL Grand Final
1945 VFL Grand Final
The 1945 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the South Melbourne Football Club and Carlton Football Club, held at Princes Park in Melbourne on 29 September 1945. It was the 49th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers...
against Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. He kicked South Melbourne's first goal of the game, kicking two for the match in a losing cause, seriously injuring both thighs, and was considered one of South's best.
Reported for striking Jim Mooring
Jim Mooring
Jim Mooring was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League .-External links:* -References:* at...
during the violent last quarter, Smith was found not guilty after Mooring concurred that Smith did not strike him.
Smith retired following the end of the 1945 season and moved to Dimboola
Dimboola, Victoria
Dimboola is located in Shire of Hindmarsh in the Wimmera region of Western Victoria, Australia, 334 kilometres north-west of Melbourne.Situated on the Wimmera River in the State of Victoria,the town of Dimboola was previously known as 'Nine Creeks'.Following a survey conducted in late 1862 by...
to play out his career.