Noel Smith (footballer)

Noel Smith
Personal information
Full nameNoel Smith
Date of birth27 November 1918
Date of death4 September 2008 (aged 89)
Original teamWest Moreland Amateurs
Height/Weight183 cm / 78 kg
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
1938, 1943–1945Essendon38 (50)
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 1945 season.

Noel Smith (27 November 1918 – 4 September 2008) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]

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 1944 VFL season, including two finals.[2] His season tally of 40 goals was bettered by only one teammate, Ray Powell, by a mere three goals.[2]

He appeared for Brunswick again from 1946 until 1949 and also played some football in Queensland with Sandgate.[3]

References

  1. Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
  2. 2.0 2.1 AFL Tables: Noel Smith
  3. "Smith, Noel". Essendon Football Club official website.