Australian Football

Equally at home on a wing, a half forward flank or roving Laird Smith, who hailed from Melbourne High School, played reserves football for South Melbourne prior to commencing his senior VFL career with St Kilda in 1934. Over the course of the ensuing five seasons he proved himself a highly capable player with good goal sense, as his tally of 77 goals in 57 games attests.

The 1939 season saw Smith at Richmond where his 66 appearances in four seasons, during which he kicked 73 goals, included the losing grand final of 1940 against Melbourne. He did not play VFL football between 1942 and 1944 whilst on military service. He captain-coached Cheltenham in 1946.

Laird Smith later carved out a noteworthy career as a football administrator including stints as secretary of both the Geelong (1947 to 1951) and St Kilda (1952 to 1956) Football Clubs.

Author - John Devaney