Archie Smith (footballer, born 1872)


Arthur Robert Smith was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the years leading up to and following the formation of the Victorian Football League.
Smith, who was recruited from Richmond Football Club, was Collingwood's main target up forward during his career. Smith made his VFL debut in Collingwood's inaugural VFL game, against St Kilda Football Club in round one, 1897, and went on to top their goal-kicking in each of his first four seasons. Smith's tally of 31 goals in 1898 was enough to win the VFL Leading Goalkicker Medal. Although he wasn't the most prolific forward for Collingwood in 1901, his 30 goals helped his club reach the 1901 VFL Grand Final, where they lost to Essendon.
His career total of 205 goals was a club record until broken by Dick Lee in 1910.