Australian Football

Having unsuccessfully tried out with Melbourne in 1951 Dick Fenton-Smith moved to Queensland where he joined Western Districts and participated in a winning grand final in 1953. Western Districts also went top in 1954, but there is uncertainty over whether Fenton-Smith was involved, with some sources suggesting he had already returned to Victoria. Whenever that return actually was, he joined Ormond of the VAFA, and in 1957 was persuaded to have another stab at VFL football with Melbourne. A powerfully built but surprisingly skilful ruckman and defender, he went on to enjoy a brief but memorable stint with the Demons, highlighted by participation in grand final wins in 1957 and 1959, both against Essendon. In the 1957 match he was widely acknowledged as one of the best players afield, while the 1959 affair was the last of his 50 appearances in a Melbourne jumper. He booted 21 career goals.

The last phase of Fenton-Smith’s career took place in South Australia with Sturt, where he played just 14 games in 1960 and 1962, scoring 18 goals. Despite the brevity of this stint he impressed many, including Jeff Pash who wrote:

The expert ruckman is easily found: Fenton-Smith for sheer technical skill ..... I haven’t seen the like of Fenton-Smith in his line. He hasn’t the superb massiveness and palming ability of Wright, McIntosh and Marriott, but he achieves some startling elegances .....[1]

Author - John Devaney