WHERE ARE THEY NOW
A CLASSY wingman, Sam Smith played more than 250 senior games for his beloved St Joseph’s, lining up in four losing grand finals. Affectionately known as “Spider”, the pacy ball winner was an interleague regular with the GFL. Smith talks to Alex Oates in the next instalment of Where Are They Now?
AO: Thanks for your time, Spider. The finals are almost on us and the weather is warming up. Do you miss playing at this time of the year?
SS: Absolutely. Especially when the ordinary weather is behind us and the spring weather is kicking in. Even at my age you get itchy feet and wish you were out there.
AO: You were lucky enough to play in four senior grand finals, but you didn’t win one. Is that right?
SS: Yeah, unfortunately I did and it still hurts me. I missed out four times, a couple of times in the ’90s, ’02 against Lara and then ’06 against South Barwon. So I didn’t get to experience the thrill of winning a senior grand final. I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing the boys win them now. They’ve won three of the last four and that’s fantastic.
AO: How much did it hurt losing those grannies?
SS: The first three we lost we were underdogs and the first two were against some pretty awesome North Shore teams. Having said that, we were down by 40 points at halftime and we were in front at three-quarter time but we couldn’t go on with it. Being underdogs, that helps you accept it a little bit, but the ’06 one still hurts. We were favourites and it was really the one that got away. It was also late in my career and I knew it was probably my last chance, and it turned out to be the case.
AO: Now you’re one of four brothers, Scott, Dean and Chris, who were all good footballers, and Scott was lucky enough to win a flag. You’d be jealous of him?
SS: Absolutely. I was playing in the under-16s back then and that was massive. It was a huge day for the club to win their first GFL premiership. He always reminds me that he won one and I didn’t when we’re having a few beers. Dean was the best of the four of us. He didn’t get to play in a flag at Joeys either, but he got drafted by Geelong and represented Vic Country. He was the more decorated of all of us.
AO: What was it like in the back yard with all four of you? It would’ve been competitive?
SS: It was. There were some very competitive matches in the back yard, that’s for sure. Back then, too, they didn’t go easy on you. When they’re 15 and you’re 10, they let you have it, but I had some great memories.
AO: I’m reliably told a mate of yours had $20 on you to kick the first goal in a grand final and you fluffed it and cost him a few hundred dollars. Is that right?
SS: There is some truth. Although he reckons I was 30m directly in front, but my story is I was 50m out on the boundary. The truth is probably somewhere in between. Every September he sends me a photo of his bookies ticket. He’s still got it.
AO: That’s gold. On a more serious note. You played more than 300 games for Joeys. You must be proud of that achievement?
SS: I am. I played about 250 games in the seniors and the balance was in the juniors. But I am proud. I played there for 16 years, I had two years overseas, but I played all my footy at Joeys. I love the club and love getting back there to see all the guys.
AO: Besides all the grand finals, what are some of the highlights of your career?
SS: I won an under-18 premiership and I made my debut in the seniors the following year as a 17-year-old and played for the next 16 years. While I didn’t win the ultimate, there’s a lot to hang my hat on. I made Joeys’ Team of the Quarter Century (1975 to 2000) on a wing and the Team of the Decade from 2000 to 2010. I also played two- to three years of interleague with the GFL and that was a highlight. We played in a grand final against Ovens & Murray one year and got rolled in extra time. That was when “Keasty” (Glenn Keast) was captain. It was great fun playing interleague. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve made some awesome friendships and a lot to be proud of.