Kevin Smyth (rugby league)

Kevin Smyth

Personal information
Full name	Kevin Smyth
Born	(1932-08-22)22 August 1932 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	22 August 2007(2007-08-22) (aged 75)
Playing information
Position	Lock, Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1953 Parramatta 7 0 0 0 0 1957–60 Balmain 58 13 0 0 39 1961–64 Western Suburbs 67 17 0 0 51 Total 132 30 0 0 90 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1963–64 Australia 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] As of 8 May 2019

Kevin Smyth (1932–2007) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He played for Western Suburbs, Balmain and Parramatta in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition.

Playing career

Smyth made his first grade debut for Parramatta in 1953. Smyth only made 7 appearances before departing the club. It wasn't until 1957 that Smyth made his next first grade appearance when he joined Balmain that year. Smyth spent 4 seasons at Balmain and became a regular within the team. The club only made the finals once in his time there in 1958 when they finished 4th.

In 1961, Smyth joined Western Suburbs. The club went on to finish 2nd that season just behind St George. Smyth played in the clubs gritty 7-5 victory over his former club Balmain in the preliminary final but cruelly missed out on playing in the grand final due to an injury as St George won their 6th straight premiership 22-0. In 1962, Western Suburbs again reached the grand final against St George. Smyth played at lock as Wests lost the match 9-6. In 1963, Western Suburbs reached their 3rd straight grand final against St George. Smyth played at lock as Wests lost 8-3. The match was remembered for the muddy conditions both sets of players had to endure and for the lasting image of St George player Norm Provan embracing Wests player Arthur Summons at full time.

In 1963 and 1964, Smyth was selected to play for Australia and featured in two tests against France. Smyth left Western Suburbs in 1964 and went on to become captain-coach of Southern Districts. Smyth later joined Illawarra Collegians and spent 4 years there. Smyth was captain-coach in 1967 as Illawarra Collegians won their inaugural premiership.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}

References

1. "Kevin Smyth - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
2. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. (1995 edition) ISBN 1875169571
3. "Official Player Numbers". Parramatta Eels.
4. "Western Suburbs Magpies First Grade Players". Wests Magpies.
5. "PREMIERSHIP RECORDS". www.nrl.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
6. "Dragons Win 1962 Premiership!". www.dragons.com.au.
7. "Canaries pay tribute to 1966 drought-breakers". illawarra mercury.