Phil Smith
Geelong
AFL career
12 games17 goals
- Debut
- R7 1968 v FIT25 May 1968
- Most recent
- R22 1970 v NTH29 Aug 1970
Stats
Bio
Recruited from local club Newtown & Chilwell, Phil Smith was a talented key forward who faced the unenviable task of trying to break into a Geelong forward line dominated by legendary goalkicker Doug Wade. Despite showing promise with a strong return of 17 goals in just 12 senior appearances, the 188cm spearhead struggled to bypass Wade for a permanent spot in the starting 18 and eventually transferred to the WAFL in search of greater opportunity. The move proved to be a turning point, as Smith became a dominant force for West Perth, playing in the 1971 premiership side and winning the Bernie Naylor Medal as the league's leading goalkicker in 1973. He later spent a season with Woodville in the SANFL and is remembered as the father of Subiaco goal-kicking icon Brad Smith.
Profile
- Born
- 15 Oct 1946
- Died
- 31 Jan 2010 (aged 63y 108d)
- Height
- 188 cm
- Weight
- 86 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from local club Newtown & Chilwell, Phil Smith was a talented key forward who faced the unenviable task of trying to break into a Geelong forward line dominated by legendary goalkicker Doug Wade. Despite showing promise with a strong return of 17 goals in just 12 senior appearances, the 188cm spearhead struggled to bypass Wade for a permanent spot in the starting 18 and eventually transferred to the WAFL in search of greater opportunity. The move proved to be a turning point, as Smith became a dominant force for West Perth, playing in the 1971 premiership side and winning the Bernie Naylor Medal as the league's leading goalkicker in 1973. He later spent a season with Woodville in the SANFL and is remembered as the father of Subiaco goal-kicking icon Brad Smith.