Damien Smith (rugby league)

Damien Smith (born 4 July 1974) is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played for the St George Dragons, St Helens and the North Queensland Cowboys. A versatile outside back, he primarily played centre.

Damien Smith

Personal information
Born	(1974-07-04) 4 July 1974 (age 50) Australia
Height	186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre, Wing, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1995–97 St George Dragons 28 3 0 0 12 1998 St Helens 22 8 0 0 32 1999–01 North Qld Cowboys 30 12 0 0 48 Total 80 23 0 0 92
Source: [1] As of 11 February 2020

Background

A Moree Boars junior, Smith attended Ipswich Grammar School before being signed by the St George Dragons.^[2]

Playing career

In Round 21 of the 1995 ARL season, Smith made his first grade debut in St George's 50–14 win over the North Queensland Cowboys.^[3] In Round 2 of the 1996 ARL season, Smith scored his first try in a 16–24 loss to the Cronulla Sharks. That season, Smith played 10 games for the Dragons in their run to the Grand Final.^[4] In 1997, Smith became a regular for the Dragons, playing 17 games, starting 12 games at fullback.

In 1998, Smith joined St Helens. He played 22 games for the club, starting 21 at centre, scoring eight tries.^[5] In 1999, Smith returned to Australia, signing for the North Queensland Cowboys. That season, he played 12 games scoring nine tries. In 2000, he started 15 games, predominantly on the wing. In 2001, his final year at the Cowboys, he played just three games.

Statistics

ARL/NRL

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2001 season^[6]

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
1995	St George	1	0	0	–	0	0
1996	St George	10	2	0	–	0	8
1997	St George	17	1	0	–	0	4
1999	North Queensland	12	9	0	–	0	36
2000	North Queensland	15	3	0	–	0	12
2001	North Queensland	3	0	0	–	0	0
Career totals		58	15	0	–	0	60

Super League

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
1998	St Helens	22	8	0	–	0	32
Career totals		22	8	0	–	0	32

References

1. RLP
2. "Archived copy". www.cowboys.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "ARL 1995 - Round 21 - Rugby League Project".
4. "ARL 1996 - Round 2 - Rugby League Project".
5. "Rugby League: Smith plans to put the record right". Independent.co.uk. 17 October 1998. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022.
6. Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Damien Smith - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.