Archibald Smith (born 19 July 1995) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). Formerly a talented junior basketballer, he was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with their third selection and sixty-ninth overall in the 2014 rookie draft as an Academy selection.[1] He made his debut against Port Adelaide in round 19, 2016 in a near best-on-ground performance,[2] gathering 19 disposals and 30 hit outs at the Gabba.[3] Smith remains the only player in NEAFL history to win three premierships.

Archie Smith
Smith in April 2019
Personal information
Full name	Archibald Smith
Nickname(s)	Archie, Arch
Date of birth	(1995-07-19) 19 July 1995 (age 27)
Place of birth	Brisbane, Australia
Original team(s)	Mount Gravatt (NEAFL)
Draft	No. 69, Academy selection, 2014 rookie draft
Debut	Round 19, 2016, Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide, at the Gabba
Height	202 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Weight	105 kg (231 lb)
Position(s)	Ruckman
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2014–2021	Brisbane Lions	16 (4)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 18, 2020.
Career highlights
NEAFL Premiership player 2013 NEAFL Premiership player 2017 NEAFL Premiership Player 2019
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Smith is the son of former NBA and NBL basketballer Andre Moore. He played junior basketball at an elite level and was courted by multiple Division One colleges in the US[4] before being scouted by AFL recruiters at the age of 17. Despite having no prior Australian rules football experience, Smith drew interest from recruiters due to his supreme athleticism for his size.[5] He attended St Laurence's College in South Brisbane throughout his teenage years.[6]

Personal life

Smith is one of 6 children, with siblings Gemma, Sebastian, Isaac, Abib and Violet. In November 2020, Archie's brother, Sebastian tragically died by suicide at the age of 21. Before every game, Archie writes his brother's name on his wrist, to remind himself who he's playing for. As an ambassador for Lifeline Australia, Archie continues to advocate for suicide prevention in his brother’s memory.

Smith announced his retirement from the AFL at the end of the 2021 season citing a desire to prioritise mental well-being and family. He married his longtime partner Sophie in October 2021, and the couple is welcomed their first child, Montgomery in April 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Archie Smith (footballer, born 1995).

• Archie Smith's profile on the official website of the Brisbane Lions
• Archie Smith's playing statistics from AFL Tables

References

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