Tony Smith (footballer, born 1966)
Tony Smith (born 1 August 1966) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Sydney Swans in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
| Tony Smith | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 1 August 1966 | ||
| Original team(s) | Morningside (QAFL) | ||
| Height | 199 cm (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 100 kg (220 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Ruckman | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1986–1988 | Sydney | 17 (1) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1988. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Smith spent his early years in the southern Riverina town of Finley (NSW) before moving to Queensland with his family at age 11. He only played a few games for Morningside in the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) in 1985 before he was approached by the Swans.[2] He had just joined the Queensland Police Force but on the encouragement of his father, who had been a South Melbourne supporter, decided to make the move to Sydney.[2] A ruckman, Smith made his senior debut against Melbourne in round 17 of the 1986 season.[2] Smith only played a total of 17 games in three seasons. Due to business commitments, he left the Swans at the end of the 1988 season, to captain-coach Sydney club North Shore.[3]
After retiring from football, Smith became a successful property developer and promoted the schoolies week on the Gold Coast.[4] In January 2015 he was charged with retaliation against a witness, attempting to pervert the course of justice and attempted fraud.[5]
References
- Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2009). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (8th ed.). Seaford, Victoria: BAS Publishing. p. 775. ISBN 978-1-921496-00-4.
- Cockerill, Mike (25 July 1986). "Swans tell Tony Smith it's time to get serious". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. p. 29. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- Wicks, Kathryn (30 March 1989). "New faces join Tony Smith and the Bears". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia. p. 62. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- Elks, Sarah (6 January 2015). "Former AFL footballer Tony Smith charged with fraud, witness tampering". The Australian. Australia. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- National Reporting Team (6 January 2015). "Former Sydney Swans AFL player Tony Smith charged over alleged unlawful detention of bank executive". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 20 April 2015.