Craig Smith (rugby league, born 1973)

For the New Zealand rugby league international, see Craig Smith (rugby league born 1971).

Craig Smith

Personal information
Born	(1973-02-26) 26 February 1973 Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height	184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Position	Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1998–99 Melbourne Storm 20 3 61 0 134
Source: Craig Smith at the Rugby League Project

Craig Smith (born 26 February 1973) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s.

Biography

The Melbourne Storm leading point-scorer in the club’s debut year (110 points) had to sit on the sidelines for much of 1999 due to the good form of Matt Geyer. Smith trained in Melbourne but flew back to Brisbane on weekends to play with the Storms’ feeder club, Brisbane Norths, in the Queensland Cup competition.

Smith was re-instated on the wing before the 1999 semi-final series when coach Chris Anderson dropped his son Ben and moved Geyer to five-eighth. Anderson also made Smith the primary goal-kicker. Smith’s boot proved the difference in three sudden-death victories, culminating in his three goals and penalty try from the wing in the 1999 NRL grand final.

Smith rejected Melbourne’s offer for the 2000 NRL season and retired.

Statistics

NRL

Statistics are correct to the end of career

†	Denotes seasons in which Smith won an NRL Premiership

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts	W	L	D	W-L %
1998	Melbourne	17	2	51	71.8	0	110	11	5	1	67.6
1999†	Melbourne	3	1	10	83.3	0	24	3	0	0	100
Career totals		20	3	61	73.5	0	134	14	5	1	72.50