Australian Football

Beginning with Richmond during the closing phase of that club's time in the VFA, William Schmidt carved out an illustrious career for himself as a centreman with a predilection for wandering all over the ground in search of kicks. Sometimes accused of being selfish - centreline players were supposed to remain in their positions during this period in the game's history - Schmidt must nevertheless have given good value as he was a mainstay of Richmond and St Kilda sides for the better part of a decade and a half.

Renowned for his slick ball handling skills and tremendous evasive ability, Schmidt was a member of Richmond's inaugural VFL side in 1908 and went on to play a total of 75 VFL games for the club between 1908 and 1911 and in 1921. In between he starred at St Kilda over the course of 90 games from 1912 to 1914 and between 1918 and 1920. His tally of 148 league goals testifies to his penchant for roaming. Schmidt later coached Richmond for one season in 1933 when he was successful in getting the Tigers to the Grand Final where they lost to South Melbourne.

Author - John Devaney