Kym Smith

Those that played with and against Kym Smith use a multitude of adjectives to describe him as a footballer. Clever, spectacular and tough are just a few of the words used. His combination of skill and hardness made him a very formidable opponent. Kym always said it was the way he was brought up to win the ball and if an opponent wanted it more than him, then they would have to be prepared earn it. Kym began his junior career in Victoria with Oakleigh Districts and then with Morphett Vale, Waikerie and Macclesfield.

He made his A grade debut as a 15 year old with Macclesfield in 1971 with his older brother Brenton as his captain coach. Kym’s career suffered a brief setback in 1973 when he broke his leg in two places in a match against Littlehampton. Kym played 100 games from 1971 to 1978 with Macclesfield and when Brenton was appointed coach of Strathalbyn in 1979, Kym followed him there. The two Smith brothers led from the front and Strathalbyn won the 1979 premiership in their centenary year and Kym won the Mail Medal.

Brenton, an outstanding footballer in his own right won four Mail Medals, finished runner up to Kym for the 1979 GSFL Mail Medal. However, in 1977 when Brenton won his third medal at Macclesfield, it was Kym’s turn to be the ‘bridesmaid’ when he was runner up to Brenton.

Sturt lured Kym to Unley oval in 1980 and Jack Oatey was impressed with Kym’s attack on the ball, his skill and his professionalism. However, Kym returned to Strathalbyn late in the 1981 season after just 26 games with Sturt.

Kym worked as a professional fisherman and this led him to Robe in 1982 where he joined the local ‘Roosters’. He had an immediate impact on the Mid South East competition jointly taking out the Mail Medal. Kym repeated that feat over the next two seasons to take his personal tally to four Mail Medals. He took on the coaching job at Robe and led them to grand finals in 1984 and 1985, and to a premiership in 1987. Kym was runner up for a further two Mail Medals, captain coached the MSEFL representative team and was also selected in the SA country team five times. Touted as one of the greatest players to ever play in the MSEFL, Kym was an inspirational on field leader.

1989 saw Kym transfer to Victor Harbor where he assisted in lifting the proud club off the bottom of the ladder. Kym was a member of the star studded outfit that recorded Victor’s first premiership in 18 years in 1990. Kym then played his part in a further five premierships as a member of a Victor Harbor team responsible for one of South Australian country football’s most successful era’s. Kym was the coach of the 1995 premiership team and also found the time to coach the junior colts in 1994.

Kym continued as coach in 1996 however with a number of off field distraction’s, Victor Harbor’s reign was over when they lost the preliminary final by three points. Kym contemplated retirement in 1997 but decided to play one more year in the B grade and that resulted in yet another premiership for him.

Over a career spanning 379 games plus 26 SANFL games, Kym collected four Mail Medals, was runner up three times and played in eleven senior premierships. Kym was also selected in Victor Harbor’s team of the century and was made a life member of the club. One of the high points of Kym’s career was winning his first flag with Robe, this followed the frustration of losing only three games in the previous two years, two of which were grand finals.