SMITH, Ray

Ray Smith was an unobtrusive half-back flanker who came to Essendon after playing Rugby League with Fortitude Valley in Queensland. Prior to that he had played Australian Rules with Western Districts in 1968 and 1969 and had represented Queensland. The versatile Smith also played Rugby Union at school and was a member of the Under 19 Queensland rugby union team.

He won the Reserves Most Valuable Services award in 1971 and Reserves Most Improved Player award in 1972.

Smith was solidly-built and a fair kick, and despite wearing contact lenses, he became a top defender for Essendon. He played 66 consecutive games from mid-1972 to mid-1975.

He was cleared to Melbourne in 1975 and played 27 games there. In 1976, he became the first Queenslander to play 100 AFL games and Brisbane players who achieve that mark are added to the Ray Smith Honour Board.

He then became captain-coach of Camberwell in 1977 and 1978 and played with Brunswick from 1979 to 1981. He was a member of their premiership side in 1980.

Smith later worked as a psychologist at Collingwood in 1986.

He is a member of the Queensland AFL Hall of Fame.