Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Ivor Phillip Scharrer Warne-Smith

Known as
Ivor Warne-Smith

Born
29 October 1897

Place of birth
Lavender Bay, NSW (2060)

Died
4 March 1960 (aged 62)

Place of death
Newport, VIC (3015)

Occupation
Farmer, Business manager

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 21y 256d
Last game: 34y 310d

Height and weight
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 86 kg

Senior clubs
Melbourne

Jumper numbers
Melbourne: 33, 14

Recruited from
Melbourne (1920); Latrobe (1925)

State of origin
NSW

Hall of fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame (Inducted 1996)

Ivor Warne-Smith

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
MelbourneV/AFL1919, 1925-19321461100.7558%19.005.0028
LatrobeNWFU1920-192475
Total1919-19322211100.50

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 2,460th player to appear, 1,385th most games played, 976th most goals kickedMelbourne: 355th player to appear, 71st most games played, 71st most goals kicked

Born at Lavender Bay, Sydney in 1897, Ivor Warne-Smith's football reputation was established in Tasmania and Victoria. One of the most revered names in the football history of both states, Warne-Smith was actually something of a reluctant footballer. After eight games with Melbourne in 1919 he re-located to the Latrobe region of Tasmania, not because of football, but in order to take up share farming.

Warne-Smith's football prowess was noticed during informal lunch time end to end kicking sessions at Atkinson's sale yards and he was invited to join Latrobe; however, because of the pressure of work on the farm it was not until midway through the 1920 season that he accepted the invitation. During four and a half seasons with the Diehards he proved himself an accomplished footballer in all conditions and in a variety of positions. In 1922 he took over as club coach and led the side to two flags in three years. He also performed with distinction in inter-league games, winning the Parry Medal in 1924.

Warne-Smith returned to Melbourne as a 27-year-old in 1925 and his quick-thinking, two-sided play made an immediate impact. In 1926 he won the Brownlow Medal and, playing at centre, was one of the best players afield as the Fuchsias swamped minor premier Collingwood by 57 points in the Challenge Final to claim their first premiership since 1900. It was to be the only VFL flag of Warne-Smith's career. However, he did win another Brownlow in 1928 to become the first dual winner of the award.

In recognition of his weighty contribution to Tasmanian football, Ivor Warne-Smith was, in June 2004, included in that state's official 'Team of the Century', having four years earlier being chosen at centre half forward in Melbourne's equivalent team.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.