AN EXCITING chapter in football history will commence on Tuesday June 7 when the inaugural Norm Smith Oration is held in the MCC Members Dining Room at the MCG.
Reprising the legacy of the champion player and coach, this major public event is a joint initiative between the MCC and Melbourne Football Club that will see prominent Australians present ways for the game of Australian football to be the best it can be, on and off the field, as an influence for generations.
This year, former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon will propose the toast to football, with a response by the redoubtable Tony Charlton, MCG Media Hall of Fame inductee and the man whose television interview with Norm Smith after his sensational sacking as Melbourne coach in 1965 is part of football folklore.
Hosted by renowned broadcaster Tim Lane, this three-course dinner event is open for bookings. The cost is $120per person.
The MCC and Melbourne Football Club is proud to be associated with what is sure to become a hallmark event on the annual football calendar.
To book, please call Viki Micevska on 03 9652 1144 or email viki.micevska@melbournefc.com.au
About Norm Smith
Reprising the legacy of the champion player and coach, this major public event is a joint initiative between the MCC and Melbourne Football Club that will see prominent Australians present ways for the game of Australian football to be the best it can be, on and off the field, as an influence for generations.
This year, former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon will propose the toast to football, with a response by the redoubtable Tony Charlton, MCG Media Hall of Fame inductee and the man whose television interview with Norm Smith after his sensational sacking as Melbourne coach in 1965 is part of football folklore.
Hosted by renowned broadcaster Tim Lane, this three-course dinner event is open for bookings. The cost is $120per person.
The MCC and Melbourne Football Club is proud to be associated with what is sure to become a hallmark event on the annual football calendar.
To book, please call Viki Micevska on 03 9652 1144 or email viki.micevska@melbournefc.com.au
About Norm Smith
Norm Smith was a talented player and Melbourne Football Club’s greatest coach. But more than that, he represents an era of football that did much to form the modern game.
He came from a poor background and drove himself to the top of his sport.
He came from a poor background and drove himself to the top of his sport.
Smith was a canny yet brilliant full forward during a 227-game career with Melbourne (210 games) and Fitzroy (17) between 1935 and 1950 that included 572 goals.
He played in four premierships at Melbourne (1939, 1940, 1941 and 1948), winning two best and fairest awards and was leading goal kicker on four occasions.
Smith captained Melbourne (1945-47) and Fitzroy (1949-50) and twice represented Victoria.
He took that talent from the field into the coaches’ box. He expected no less from his players than what he had expected from himself - integrity and purpose, drive and putting the team ahead of the individual.
Smith led Melbourne through its most successful era, winning six premierships (1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964) before he was sacked - and reinstated - in 1965. After leaving Melbourne in 1967 he coached South Melbourne from 1969 to 1972.
He was named full forward and coach in Melbourne’s Team of the Century and was given the ultimate honour of coach of the AFL Team of the Century. Since 1980, the best player in the grand final receives the Norm Smith Medal.
In a time when the coach was considered to be an evangelist, Smith was an innovative and inventive strategist, manager, mentor and marketer, a forerunner of today’s multi-faceted coach.
Smith was an evangelist, was tough and gruff, but his players played for him and for the Melbourne jumper.
His legacy is clear - he influenced a generation of players to be the best they could be, the ultimate outcome for any leader.
He played in four premierships at Melbourne (1939, 1940, 1941 and 1948), winning two best and fairest awards and was leading goal kicker on four occasions.
Smith captained Melbourne (1945-47) and Fitzroy (1949-50) and twice represented Victoria.
He took that talent from the field into the coaches’ box. He expected no less from his players than what he had expected from himself - integrity and purpose, drive and putting the team ahead of the individual.
Smith led Melbourne through its most successful era, winning six premierships (1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960 and 1964) before he was sacked - and reinstated - in 1965. After leaving Melbourne in 1967 he coached South Melbourne from 1969 to 1972.
He was named full forward and coach in Melbourne’s Team of the Century and was given the ultimate honour of coach of the AFL Team of the Century. Since 1980, the best player in the grand final receives the Norm Smith Medal.
In a time when the coach was considered to be an evangelist, Smith was an innovative and inventive strategist, manager, mentor and marketer, a forerunner of today’s multi-faceted coach.
Smith was an evangelist, was tough and gruff, but his players played for him and for the Melbourne jumper.
His legacy is clear - he influenced a generation of players to be the best they could be, the ultimate outcome for any leader.
