Craig Smoker

Craig Smoker
Personal information
Full name	Craig Smoker
Nickname(s)	Smokes, Choof
Date of birth	4 April 1978 (1978-04-04) (age 33)
Original team	Kulin/Kondinin / West Perth
Draft	30th selection, 1995 Draft (West Coast)
Height/Weight	174 cm / 76 kg
Position(s)	Rover
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1996–1997 1998–1999 Total	West Coast Melbourne	0 (0) 17 (12) 17 (12)
1 Playing statistics to end of 1999 season .

Craig Smoker (born 4 April 1978) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). After his AFL career ended, Smoker also played for Williamstown in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and West Perth in the Western Australian Football League (WAFL).

Early life

Born on 4 April 1978, Smoker grew up on a farm outside of the rural West Australian town of Kondinin.^[1][2] He played his junior football with Kulin/Kondinin, before moving to Perth and boarding at Scotch College.^[3] Smoker played school football for Scotch and represented Western Australia at the 1994 AFL National Under 18 Championships (then named the Commonwealth Bank Cup).^[4]

AFL career

West Coast

Smoker, a "rover in every sense of the word", was drafted by the West Coast Eagles with the 30th selection in the 1995 AFL Draft.^[4] At 17 years of age,^[5] West Coast hoped that he would develop into a "top-line" player.^[4] In his first season, Smoker did not play an AFL match instead spending the season in the WAFL, playing for West Perth.^[6] He played 19 games in 1996 and kicked 26 goals. Smoker also spent his next season, 1997, playing for West Perth. During his time playing at West Perth, Smoker also pursued a career as an agricultural consultant.^[1] Although he did not get a match for West Coast, Smoker did win West Perth's leading goalkicker award, kicking 34 goals for the season. Due to his inability to get a game^[7] in a strong West Coast side^[1] and his good form for the Falcons, Smoker was the subject of trade interest from other AFL clubs at the end of 1997,^[8] with Melbourne emerging as his most likely destination,^[9] as they were interested in his "pace and goalkicking ability".^[1]

Melbourne

Smoker was traded to Melbourne for the 34th selection in the 1997 AFL Draft.^[10] Smoker made his AFL debut in the first round of the 1998 season. He played the first 14 of Melbourne's games,^[6] including a round 3 performance against Brisbane where he kicked four goals,^[11] including two in the last quarter.^[1] Smoker was dropped for the Demons' round 14 match against West Coast and named as an emergency.^[12] Smoker did play, but had a disappointing match against his told team, only having one disposal for the match. He was dropped for Melbourne's next game.^[13] He made his way back into the team for Melbourne's round 18 match against Brisbane^[14] and he played the following week against Carlton before being dropped for round 20.^[15] While playing a reserves match, was suspended one week for striking.^[16] Smoker did not play another senior game for Melbourne in 1998, although he was "on the edge of selection" during their finals campaign^[17] and was twice named as an emergency.^[18]

Following his sixteen games in 1998,^[19] Smoker's 1999 season can only be described as a disappointment. Although occasionally named in Melbourne's squad,^[20] he played only one game^[6] in Melbourne's "disasterous [sic] season".^[21] After a poor 1999, Smoker was delisted by the Demons at season's end^[22][23] in a "significant list turnover",^[24] having played 17 games for Melbourne in two years.^[2][3]

VFL career

After being delisted by Melbourne, Smoker began playing with Williamstown in the VFL.^[2] He played with the Seagulls for six season, from 2000 to 2005, totalling 94 senior VFL games.^[2] During his time with Williamstown, Smoker won a VFL premiership in 2003,^[3][25][26] was acting captain for a match in 2004^[27] and, although he played in the seniors for the majority of the season,^[28][29] a VFL reserves premiership in 2005.^[30]

WAFL career

After winning the VFL reserves premiership, Smoker returned to Western Australia to play for his old club, West Perth, for the 2006 season.^[3][31] Smoker played from West Perth from 2005 to 2009, playing his 100th game in his last season.^[2][3] During his time with West Perth he also worked for Underground Services.^[3] Retiring at the end of 2009,^[32] Smoker finished his WAFL career having played 105 games, for a return of 104 goals.

Personal life

Smoker is married to Andrea and has two children, Tyler and Chloe.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Pearce, Linda (25 April 1998). "Queue ends in Demon frontline". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980427_0222_1606. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Pike, Chris (17 July 2009). "Round 17 WAFL preview". WAtoday. http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/round-17-wafl-preview-20090717-dnwj.html?page=-1. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Smoker to celebrate 100 at Corrigin". WAFL Online. 14 July 2009. http://www.wafootball.com.au/wafl/1325-smoker-to-celebrate-100-at-corrigin. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Who Your Club Selected". The Age. 9 December 1995. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news951209_0296_5547. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
5. ^ Connolly, Rohan (10 December 1995). "Choices reveal changing trend". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news951210_0013_7434. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (7th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Bas Publishing. p. 745. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
7. ^ Denham, Greg (10 October 1997). "Alessio stays a Don, so Barnes likely to remain a Cat". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news971010_0258_4718. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
8. ^ Denham, Greg (30 September 1997). "Dockers in bid to woo Williams". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news970930_0159_5623. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
9. ^ Denham, Greg; Reilly, Stephen (7 October 1997). "Fletcher likely to join Dockers". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news971007_0159_9991. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
10. ^ Denham, Greg; Reilly, Stephen (13 October 1997). "Roo seeks move to Swans". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news971013_0149_1992. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
11. ^ Hinds, Richard (14 April 1998). "Northey in the hot seat". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980414_0372_2493. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
12. ^ Linnell, Stephen (27 June 1998). "The origins of a Sheedy idea". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980629_0304_1982. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
13. ^ Reilly, Stephen (3 July 1998). "Shanahan, Farmer return for Demons". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980703_0275_4662. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
14. ^ Browne, Ashley (31 July 1998). "Crows get big names back for clash with Saints". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980731_0423_6006. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
15. ^ Browne, Ashley (14 August 1998). "Eagles recall Mainwaring for clash with Tigers". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980814_0479_5303. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
16. ^ "Swan flies free". Newcastle Herald. 26 August 1998. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980828_0192_4314. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
17. ^ Pearce, Linda (3 September 1998). "Redlegs in rare shape for finals". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980903_0322_1504. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
18. ^ Reilly, Stephan (11 September 1998). "Demons sweat as Lyon faces test". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news980911_0310_0694. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
19. ^ Reilly, Stephen (22 March 1999). "Melbourne". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news990322_0442_2883. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
20. ^ Wilson, Caroline (25 June 1999). "$1.6m deal for Richardson to 2002". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news990625_0320_2682. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
21. ^ "YOUR CLUB – DAILY NEWS ON EVERY CLUB". The Age. 25 August 1999. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news990825_0659_5576. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
22. ^ Denham, Greg (15 October 1999). "Royal set to leave Bulldogs for assistant coach job at Magpies". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news991015_0456_2825. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
23. ^ Connolly, Rohan (23 October 1999). "LEFT HIGH & DRY". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news991023_0172_9765. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
24. ^ Connolly, Rohan (24 February 2000). "MELBOURNE – COUNTDOWN TO 2000". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=news000224_0406_9374. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
25. ^ Oldham, Gordon (22 September 2003). "Veterans stand tall as Seagulls scoop up double". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE030922E32LI30GA8E. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
26. ^ Schmidt, Dale (14 May 2009). "The moment of truth has arrived!". Williamstown Football Club. http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-118-10459-0-0&sID=136507&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9039640&sectionID=136507. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
27. ^ Booth, Ross (25 April 2004). "Seagulls rise to dampen Dolphins' hope". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=SAG040425B5IH832HKK9. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
28. ^ Booth, Ross (14 August 2005). "Tigers top after giving Bullants a big start". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=SAG050814ET7KI4HH5FS. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
29. ^ Oldham, Gordon (22 August 2005). "Pitt kicks Port clear of Dolphins". The Age. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=craig+smoker&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE0508227L2N160Q269. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
30. ^ "Williamstown Reserves win flag". Williamstown Football Club. 14 May 2009. http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-118-10459-0-0&sID=136508&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9039952&sectionID=136508. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
31. ^ "Williamstown Football Club New Recruits for 2006". Williamstown Football Club. 14 May 2009. http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-118-10459-0-0&sID=136502&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9039971&sectionID=136502. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 
32. ^ Pike, Chris (5 October 2009). "WAFL retires leave massive hole after standout season". The Sunday Times. http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/wafl-retires-leave-massive-hole-after-standout-season/story-e6frg243-1225783074267. Retrieved 8 January 2011. 

External links

• Craig Smoker's profile on the Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club
• Craig Smoker's profile on the Official AFL Website of the West Coast Eagles Football Club
• Craig Smoker's statistics from AFL Tables
• Craig Smoker's profile on WAFL Online

Persondata
Name	Smoker, Craig
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	4 April 1978
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death