SMITH, Noel

Noel Smith came from West Moreland Amateurs and started at full-back before moving to full-forward and then into the ruck and forward pocket.

He struggled to get a regular Senior game despite winning the Gardiner Medal for Best and Fairest in the League's Second Eighteen in 1939. He was also runner-up in this award in 1945. However, he didn't carry his Seconds form into the Seniors and he spent a year with Brunswick in 1941 before returning to Essendon in 1943.

Smith's best year was 1944 when he played all 20 games and was Essendon's second leading goalkicker with 40 goals. His best return was his six goal haul against St Kilda in Round 17. This good form saw him win Essendon's Most Improved Player award.

After leaving Essendon, he returned to Brunswick where he played from 1946 to 1949. He later played with Sandgate in Queensland and then Carrum, before going on to coach Seymour.

Smith retired in 1973 from the AMP Society where he had worked for twenty three years.

Noel Smith died on 4th September, 2008.