Ross G Smith

Smith took several years to blossom as a rover although his courage and determination were never in doubt.

1961-72 and 1975 234 games 231 goals. (b: 8 Sep 1942 173 cms 75 kgs). Smith's career proved the value of persisting. Smith took several years to blossom as a rover although his courage and determination were never in doubt. He didn't make the Saints' senior list at first but after a great game for the seconds he won promotion for the second round. It wasn't until the preliminary final of 1966 that his career kicked into a higher gear. He starred in the Saints' win and was part of the flag side a week later. In 1967 he consistently turned in tireless roving displays and was a prolific kickwinner. He earned his first Victorian guernsey and then bolted away to win the Brownlow with 24 votes. His improvement was illustrated by the fact that in six previous seasons he had scored only six votes. Smith won his second club championship in 1971 and was tipped to win a second Brownlow. He played in the 1971 runner-up team that year. He captained the Victorian side at the 1972 carnival and led the Saints from 1970 to 1972. He then went to WA as coach of Subiaco for three years and coached the club to a flag. He returned to St Kilda as assistant coach and was talked out of retirement when the club suffered injuries. He coached the Saints for a year in 1977.

Player profile © The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby and Jim Main

Practice Match 1961

Rod Browne

As a very young Saints fan, I was at the junction oval for a practice match (1961) and was looking forward to seeing a new recruit that my dad and I had read about in the sports pages. From Hampton scouts a young rover named Ross Smith was playing in a intra-club match, at quarter time I made my way out on to the ground with autograph book in hand, being amongst heroes is not easy for a young boy, but I spotted the number 3 of the red team, or was it the blue? Asking Ross for his autograph hi reply was “who me?”, I was thrilled, was I the first fan to gain this future captain, Brownlow medallist, Premiership player and club legend’s signature? I still have that autograph book, other hall of fame nominees autographs I received that same day were, Kevin Roberts, (my favourite player) Lance Oswald, Eric Guy, Alan Morrow, Verdun Howell, Neil Roberts and Paul Dodd. In any conversation about footy (even these days) with my dad, if Ross Smith is mentioned dad will still say “who me?” from those days as a enthralled youngster to the present, my love of the Saints has never waned. Reading all of the nominees for the Hall of Fame brings back so many great memories for me.

Yours Forever

Saintly Rod Browne

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