Billy Smith
Year inducted: 2021
True Blue number: 573
Born: July 12, 1942, Fremantle, Western Australia
Club: St George Dragons
Position: Halfback
Premiership career: (1963-77) 234 games, 30 tries, 3 goals, 161 points
First Grade debut: St George Dragons v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at the SCG on July 16, 1961
Representative honours: Australia 26 Tests (1964-70); NSW 17 interstate matches (1964-73)
Other honours: NSWRL Player of the Year 1967; Australia’s 100 Greatest Players 2008
Smith started his career as a centre before switching to halfback and his competitive spirit saw him win four consecutive premierships at the Dragons from 1963-66. He had an uncanny attacking ability alongside his fullback Graeme Langlands. Smith played for NSW in interstate matches from 1964-73, including captaining the team in 1967, and never tasted defeat in a series. He also played 29 Tests for Australia, twice winning the Harry Sunderland Medal.
New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
