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 | 12 September 1942 | ||
| 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 | 39 (22) | |
| 1975 | St Kilda | 12 (8) | |
| 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
- Ross Smith at AustralianFootball.com
- St Kilda Hall of Fame Profile
- Saints honour roll