Noel Smith (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Noel Smith was an Australian rules football
er who played with Essendon
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL).
Smith started his career as a full-back but was unable to establish a place for himself in the Essendon side. He performed well in the league seconds, winning a Gardiner Medal
in 1939. He didn't make any senior appearances that year and from 1940 to 1942 also wouldn't play a senior game for Essendon, although he did spend some of that time with Brunswick
.
His second stint at Essendon, as a forward, was more successful. He played all 20 games for Essendon in the 1943 VFL season
, including two finals. His season tally of 40 goals was bettered by only one teammate, Ray Powell
, by a mere three goals.
He appeared for Brunswick again from 1946 until 1949 and also played some football in Queensland with Sandgate
.
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 who played with Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
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).
Smith started his career as a full-back but was unable to establish a place for himself in the Essendon side. He performed well in the league seconds, winning a Gardiner Medal
Gardiner Medal
The Gardiner Medal was an Australian rules football award, formerly awarded to the best and fairest player in the VFL Reserves competition.Officially named the Seconds prior to 1959 and the Reserves from 1959 onwards, the competition ran from 1919 until 1999 and the medal was first awarded in...
in 1939. He didn't make any senior appearances that year and from 1940 to 1942 also wouldn't play a senior game for Essendon, although he did spend some of that time with Brunswick
Brunswick Football Club
Brunswick Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA from 1897 until 1990. They were originally nicknamed the Pottery Workers before being renamed the Magpies and were based in Brunswick, Victoria. The club wore black and white guernseys...
.
His second stint at Essendon, as a forward, was more successful. He played all 20 games for Essendon in the 1943 VFL season
1943 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1943.-Influence of World War II:*Geelong were still unable to field a team due to the war, so the bye was retained.-New System:...
, including two finals. His season tally of 40 goals was bettered by only one teammate, Ray Powell
Ray Powell (footballer)
Ray Powell was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League .Powell was a utility player, often featuring as a half forward flanker. He only twice played more than half the game in a season, with 16 appearances in 1944, followed by 14 games in 1945...
, by a mere three goals.
He appeared for Brunswick again from 1946 until 1949 and also played some football in Queensland with Sandgate
Sandgate Football Club
Sandgate Football Club are an Australian rules club which played its home games in the Brisbane suburb of Taigum. They were nicknamed both the Hawks and Sea Hawks and their club colours were bottle green and red.-History:...
.