SMITH, Dave

Dave Smith, known as "Soaker", was a champion centre half-forward and utility player and a great Essendon captain. He was extremely fast, a superb mark and a talented ball handler. He had the rare distinction of playing in every position on the field from full-back to rover. He was a pioneer in the art of ruck-roving as it is now known.

He captained the 1911 premiership team from full-forward but stepped down in 1912 when he was selected to tour England with the Australian Cricket Team. This cost him a place in the premiership side in that year but he did play two Tests for his country. Overall, he played 46 first-class cricket games.

Smith was the Club vice-captain in 1906-1907 and again in 1909, and was the Club's first real coach in 1908 and 1909.

He played 71 consecutive games between 1908 and 1911 and this was only broken by his cricket commitments. He also became the first Essendon player to kick 100 goals. This milestone came when he kicked a single goal in Essendon's one point win over Richmond in the last game of 1910.

Smith was Essendon's leading goalkicker in 1908 with 26 goals and was runner-up in 1903 and 1905. He kicked six goals in a game in 1911 and five goals in a game in 1908.

He was selected in the League team that played Ballarat in 1904 and was a member of the Victorian Carnival team in 1911.

Smith originally came from Sherwoods, a Richmond junior team, and after leaving Essendon he played one game with Richmond in 1914 before retiring.

In 1910, he had the honour of being chosen by The Argus to be photographed kicking so that the photos could be sent to overseas schools and universities.

His father, George, was a Carlton star in the 1880s.

Dave Smith died on 27th July 1963.