Billy Smith - Legend who hasn't been shown true Respect by NRL & media

[Old Timer]

He invented the banana kick back for Langlands that Andrew Johns got credit for 2 decades later. And Johns has never uttered the words....... I saw Billy do it as a kid to set up Changa and I practiced the banana kick and resurrected it 2 decades later. His silence was him taking credit for another players genius.

Billy & Changa used to practice stuff on their own at various parks in the area.

I remember seeing them plenty of times in the little park opposite the entry to Beverley Park golf course.
They would be there for hours trying all sorts of different things and remain focused the entire time.

Carr's Park was also another haunt where they practiced together.

 

[maestro1]

So, serious question, why are some off field indiscretions forgivable and our game even takes pride in the players redemption story and immortalised said player. And contrastingly, a player who is probably one of the best ever, isn't ever forgiven for regularly making a goose of himself on the pi$$. Come on Vlandys and co. ....... Immortalise this guy while he is still with us. His exploits on the field are the epitome of a true Rugby League footballer. Tough, loyal, strong, fast, skillful, do anything for his mates and jersey. Represented his country with distinction (2 Sunderland medals, multiple premierships, could play both the running half or organising halfback game brilliantly, great astute kicking game, defensively impenetrable ..........and could also excel in the centres.

 

[Sage63]

Unfortunately, he shattered the memories of my boyhood idol with tales of multiple post-retirement 'incidents' all involving alcohol. He pissed many people off.

Seems Billy had difficulty adjusting to life post football.

 

[Sage63]

That too is what I have heard.

 

[Revesby boy]

Only two words can describe Billy for me “MY HERO “

 

[Stan Gorton 2511]

Billy and Changa were my boyhood idols

The 2 man team mantra came from 1971 when Jack Gibson assembled half a team of "no names" that went all the way to the GF (and all three grades made it that year) even though we also had ex internationals in Barry Beath and Tony Branson.
Changa and Billy single handedly got us through two semis in that final series against Parra (extra time) and Manly in the Preliminary Final
Bill worked at Caringbah Inn for awhile post retirement and some of those stories about his antics there are legendary (I actually witnessed a couple)
Very friendly guy though always happy to chat footy

 

[Inisai Toga]

Billy and Changa were my boyhood idols

The 2 man team mantra came from 1971 when Jack Gibson assembled half a team of "no names" that went all the way to the GF (and all three grades made it that year) even though we also had ex internationals in Barry Beath and Tony Branson.
Changa and Billy single handedly got us through two semis in that final series against Parra (extra time) and Manly in the Preliminary Final
Bill worked at Caringbah Inn for awhile post retirement and some of those stories about his antics there are legendary (I actually witnessed a couple)
Very friendly guy though always happy to chat footy

Remember those Semi’s of ‘71 so vividly. Smith and Langlands combination was at its peak. They beat Parra in extra time and Billy virtually owned the Final against Minor Premiers Manly in beating them 15-12. This was an unbelievable game. He set up 2 tries for Chang and kicked 3 Field Goals. Nearly emulated that feat against the mighty Souths team the following week. What a player!

 

[Coffs dragon]

Billy and Changa were my boyhood idols

The 2 man team mantra came from 1971 when Jack Gibson assembled half a team of "no names" that went all the way to the GF (and all three grades made it that year) even though we also had ex internationals in Barry Beath and Tony Branson.
Changa and Billy single handedly got us through two semis in that final series against Parra (extra time) and Manly in the Preliminary Final
Bill worked at Caringbah Inn for awhile post retirement and some of those stories about his antics there are legendary (I actually witnessed a couple)
Very friendly guy though always happy to chat footy

Are you The Stan Gorton, the fast paced winger of that wonderful Billy & Chang era?
If so, I have such wonderful memories as a young fella watching you, Geoff Carr, Roy Ferguson, Lord Ted, Gary Pethabridge…all score a shitload of tries compliments of Billy Smith.

 

[Stan Gorton 2511]

Are you The Stan Gorton, the fast paced winger of that wonderful Billy & Chang era?
If so, I have such wonderful memories as a young fella watching you, Geoff Carr, Roy Ferguson, Lord Ted, Gary Pethabridge…all score a shitload of tries compliments of Billy Smith.

Ha ha no I'm not but was an admirer of old Stan lol
But yes Billy fed his wingers and centres grat ball!

 

[Old Timer]

Are you The Stan Gorton, the fast paced winger of that wonderful Billy & Chang era?
If so, I have such wonderful memories as a young fella watching you, Geoff Carr, Roy Ferguson, Lord Ted, Gary Pethabridge…all score a shitload of tries compliments of Billy Smith.

Alas poor Stanley is playing wing with the feathered saints.

I remember him scoring a cracking try at the old sports ground after the full time hooter rang and kids started to run towards the field and the linesman and officials trying to stop them.

 

[RedVee]

Alas poor Stanley is playing wing with the feathered saints.

I remember him scoring a cracking try at the old sports ground after the full time hooter rang and kids started to run towards the field and the linesman and officials trying to stop them.

I remember watching a game on a quagmire Belmore.

At the end of the game there were 25 players caked in mud, and Stan Gorton resplendent in white, nearly as clean as at the start of the game.

That’s all I remember about that game!

 

[An Old Westie Dragon]

I remember watching a game on a quagmire Belmore.

At the end of the game there were 25 players caked in mud, and Stan Gorton resplendent in white, nearly as clean as at the start of the game.

That’s all I remember about that game!

I vaguely remember this game also, RedVee. Sure Stan didn’t come on as a replacement? I do remember him being resplendent in that white jersey though and the rest in covered in mud.

 

[Coffs dragon]

I remember watching a game on a quagmire Belmore.

At the end of the game there were 25 players caked in mud, and Stan Gorton resplendent in white, nearly as clean as at the start of the game.

That’s all I remember about that game!

Yep always had the crisp white jersey & that neat groomed BRYLCREEM hair. The crowd use to give it to Stanley claiming he had a comb in his long socks to keep that brushback so manicured.
Never saw him tackle too much, but geez he was quick and not like the current plodders we have.

 

[Old Timer]

Yep always had the crisp white jersey & that neat groomed BRYLCREEM hair. The crowd use to give it to Stanley claiming he had a comb in his long socks to keep that brushback so manicured.
Never saw him tackle too much, but geez he was quick and not like the current plodders we have.

Stan didn’t have a side step.
When confronted by a defender directly in front of him he would sort of shuffle his weight from side to side and if the defender was out of cinque in the Brolga dance whoosh Stan was gone in the blink of an eye.

Leading try scorer 1 year but plagued by injuries.

His shoulder pads were so wide that he looked much bigger than he was.

 

[denis preston]

Even Changa got the shits with him & they had a big falling out.

 

[Stan Gorton 2511]

The last time I saw him play was just before the 71 semis.

It was at Penrith Park on a wet afternoon on a heavy pitch he was called in the side late as one of the wingers was injured

And yes he had a spotless white jersey during the game - I remember some wit in the crowd yelling "hit him with your handbag Stan!"

 

[Mojo]

I occasionally crossed paths with Norm Provan and Barry Beath as a kid. Billy Smith was already an immortal well before his playing career was over, regardless of any ‘official’ acknowledgement. He was a living icon. As a freckle-faced kid I lived with my leather footy and Billy had a permanent place in my imagination.

 

[RedVee]

The last time I saw him play was just before the 71 semis.

It was at Penrith Park on a wet afternoon on a heavy pitch he was called in the side late as one of the wingers was injured

And yes he had a spotless white jersey during the game - I remember some wit in the crowd yelling "hit him with your handbag Stan!"

I remember something like “guess who’s Mum has a Whirlpool”.
But that might have been a different player and year. Can’t be sure now.