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Billy Smith Tribute(links to www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au)

Stats -

First grade stats 1963-77: 229 games (4 repl). 30 t, 24 g, 23 fg = 161 points

One of my greatest memories is about Billy Smith. It was in a game against Parramatta at Cumberland Oval and I think it was in 1974. At no stage did Saints look like losing because Smithy had an absolute blinder of a game and the Eels were left with egg all over their faces as they had no answer for the 'little general.' He set up 3 tries in the first half and in the second half kicked a field goal. He then capped off a tremendous game by setting up Chapman for the last try.

What a halfback!

thanks to Bryan Williams, Kindly reproduced with permission from the Saints Immortals website - I recommend you pay a visit to that site. Link appears above

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It was the 1971 final between St George and Manly with Manly red hot favourites with players like Fulton, Reilly, McDonald, Hamilton, Freddy Jones etc.

St George looked like a bunch of no name easybeats with only two exceptions in Graeme Langlands and Billy Smith.

St George had won the 1st Semi Final against Parramatta in an extra time thriller but were still absolute underdogs for the final.

It's a pity no one told Smith and Langlands.

From a position deep in the south west corner of the SCG Smith went to dummy half having stacked the blindside with 3 players one of which was Langlands,as the Manly defence slid across to cover the blindside raid Langlands sidestepped inside as Smith pivoted and changed direction to the open side, firing an inside pass to "Chang" who sliced between the Manly slide defence to score.

Barely ten minutes later Smith in the identical position this time ran to the open side from dummy half , stopped, pivoted and put up a bomb into the south west ( Randwick) corner where again the ever-present Langlands was scooting down the blindside, dived through the air like Nureyev catching the ball on the full in mid air, crashing over to score.

Manly and the bookies were in disbelief, St George fans were ecstatic.

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FROM QUIGS........ THIS ALLEGED STORY HAS BEEN CENSORED IN SOME PARTS TO PROTECT CERTAIN POLITICIANS and an election has just been called - sorry to contributor but I guess we have to have some decorum)

As many of you know the Dragons -V- Rabbitohs "Match Of The Day" at the SCG was built up as a nostalgic promotion between two great clubs returning to hallowed turf.

In one of the function rooms former Dragons greats got together with their old Souths rivals for a few drinks as part of the festivities.....Billy Smith was there and no doubt Johnny Raper and co. You know the usual suspects.

The amber ale was flowing, and old stories were swapped. But apparantly things turned a little sour. The kegs or taps were playing up and the beer was flowing very slowly.

By now the Dragons greats were very frustrated. There was a massive line at the bar and no one could get a drink.

Billy became very agitated.

At around about this time "Politician X" got in contact with Robert Stone in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Dragons Football Club. He phoned him up wanting to join the party.

As a Dragons fan, "Politician X" wanted to come up and rub shoulders with the likes of Billy Smith, Chook Raper, Reg Gasnier etc. And have a drink with the guys.

The lines are getting longer at the bar as the beer was flowing slowly. Billy gets a bit more rowdy and abusive towards the bar staff and demands a beer.

In walks "Politician X" into the foyer. Shadowing him are two bodyguards.

Billy Smith see him, grabs him in a headlock and drags him towards the bar.

He screams towards the bar staff..........

"Now I've got the *#@*#@' "Politician X's exulted rank" ! Can I have a #*#@ng beer now?"

Apparently "Politician X" played along with it and the whole room erupted with laughter.

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Prop John Wittenburg, playing in his first Test, was flattened by British front-rower Brian Edgar early in the match, Australian centre Graeme Langlands laid out little English halfback Tommy Bishop with a copybook "coat-hanger", Dick Thornett and Billy Smith tag-teamed on British forward Jim Mantle, and former Queenslander Noel "Ned" Kelly and fearsome Englishman Cliff Watson fought a running battle.

From Memorable Match No31- click here to read more.

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