Robert Smith

Hailing from Ainslie in the ACT, Robert Smith arrived at North Melbourne in 1971 following a recruiting tussle with Geelong and a delayed clearance from the Canberra league. Standing 191cm, he was a talented key forward who showed early promise with 16 goals in his debut season, but a broken ankle in 1972 and the subsequent arrival of legendary goalkicker Doug Wade saw him struggle to command a permanent spot in the senior 22. While he missed out on the 1975 VFL premiership team, he proved his worth days later by dominating the Championship of Australia series against Norwood. Smith's VFL career is perhaps best remembered for a controversial selection gamble by coach Ron Barassi in the 1977 Qualifying Final; despite having played almost no senior football that year due to injury, Smith was surprisingly recalled at the expense of regular full-forward Arnold Briedis, only to be subbed off at half-time in what became his final game for the club. He later became a VFA star, booting over 100 goals in a season for Coburg, before returning to Arden Street as a beloved social club manager and official.