Fred Goldsmith (Australian footballer)
| Fred Goldsmith | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 20 August 1932 | ||
| Date of death | 13 April 2017 (aged 84) | ||
| Original team(s) | Spotswood (FDFL) | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 83 kg (183 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Full-back, full-forward | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1951–1959 | South Melbourne | 119 (107) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1959. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Fred Goldsmith (20 August 1932 – 13 April 2017)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with South Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
A fireman, Goldsmith started his career in 1951 as a half forward flanker, having been recruited by South Melbourne from Spotswood.
In 1952, he was shifted to fullback; and, in 1955, he became the first ever (and so far, only) specialist fullback to win the Brownlow Medal.[2]
To the astonishment of all, in 1956, South Melbourne decided to play its 1955 Brownlow Medallist fullback at full-forward. He played at full-forward for the remainder of his career. In 1957, he was South Melbourne's leading goalkicker with 43 goals.
He was captain-coach of the Albury Football Club in the Ovens & Murray Football League from 1960 to 1965. In 1966 he played nine games with Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football Association.
Goldsmith's 1955 Brownlow Medal attained $43,700 at an auction of sporting memorabilia conducted by Christie's on 17 April 2000.[3]
He was selected as an interchange player in the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans's "Team of the Century"' announced on 8 August 2003.
In a 1958 competition, held at the Lake Oval, Goldsmith kicked a drop kick that travelled 80yds 1 ft (241 ft, 73.46m).[4]
Fred Goldsmith has five great children, 16 grandchildren and three great grandchildren
References
- ^ "Vale Fred Goldsmith: Brownlow winner dies at 84". AFL.com.au. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ Jim Main, Aussie Rules: For Dummies (2nd edition, 2008) p 72.
- ^ "Brownlow trivia". Footystats.freeservers.com. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "Long kicks and the men who made them". Footystats.freeservers.com. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
External links
- Fred Goldsmith's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Fred Goldsmith at AustralianFootball.com
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