Arthur Robert Smith (16 February 1872 – 20 July 1961)[2] was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the years leading up to and following the formation of the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Archie Smith | |||
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Personal information | |||
Full name | Arthur Robert Smith | ||
Nickname(s) | Snapper | ||
Date of birth | 16 February 1872 | ||
Place of birth | Prahran, Victoria | ||
Date of death | 20 July 1961 | (aged 89)||
Place of death | Abbotsford, Victoria[1] | ||
Original team(s) | Richmond (VFA) | ||
Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||
Weight | 72 kg (159 lb) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Playing career1 | |||
Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
1892–1902 | Collingwood | 176 (205) | |
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1902. | |||
Career highlights | |||
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Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com |
Smith, who was recruited from Richmond, was Collingwood's main target up forward during his career.[3] He made his VFL debut in Collingwood's inaugural VFL game, against St Kilda in round one, 1897, and went on to top the club goal-kicking in each of his first four seasons.[4] Smith's tally of 31 goals in 1898 was enough to win the VFL Leading Goalkicker Medal.[4] Although he wasn't the most prolific forward for Collingwood in 1901, his 30 goals helped his club reach the 1901 VFL grand final, where they lost to Essendon.[5]
Smith's career total of 205 goals was a club record until broken by Dick Lee in 1910.