Smith crossed to Kyabram after Benalla’s 2015 premiership win and proceeded to play a key part in the club winning three premierships of 2016-2017 and 2019 — losing only the one game in four seasons, to Shepparton in the 2018 grand final.
He played in consecutive Goulburn Valley league grand finals between 2014-19, four winning and two losing — Benalla suffering a three point 2014 loss to Shepparton Swans.
In accepting the Alan Vick Memorial trophy, and the Ron McRae Trophy, Smith was glowing in his praise of Kyabram since he arrived at the club as a 23-year-old.
He recalled a conversation with his father, seriously questioning his decision to cross to Kyabram after coach Paul Newman had made an October 30, 2015, phone call.
“Mum told me I had to tell Dad I was leaving Benalla. I remember him tell me I was mad,” Smith recalled.
“After the 2017 grand final win he came up to me and said ‘I reckon you have made the right move’.”
Smith said he always aimed to be around good people and Kyabram was a great place to do just that.
“All my best friends are in the room tonight. This club is a credit to everyone who is involved in it, and to the town,” he said.
Smith polled 342 votes to win by 45 from two-time Kyabram league McNamara Medallist and this year’s Goulburn Valley league Morrison Medal runner-up, Kaine Herbert.
Votes were cast on three cards during the year, five players receiving a maximum of 10 and minimum of six votes.
Smith and Herbert finished well clear of Jason Morgan (234) and Tom Holman (204), while ruckman Zac Norris and Zach Keogh — who missed several games through injury — rounded out the top six.
Smith’s oustanding season included an average of 17.2 disposals and nine marks from his 19 games, along with 30 goals — when he was swung forward for the final six matches of the Bombers’ season.
His biggest game of the season came when he took 18 marks (17 inside forward 50), had 24 disposals and kicked 11.5 — against his old club, Benalla.
Herbert also played every game for the season, finishing with an average of 23.4 disposals, five clearances and six inside-50s every week.
∎ Will Wild’s grand final performance for the reserve-grade team he captained this season secured him a final-round best-and-fairest win in a thrilling count.
Wild’s eight-vote game gave him a four-vote win from Kaleb Williams, Liam Dillon and goalkicker Jaryd Pertzel.
Wild polled 220 votes for the season, Williams 216, Dillon 182 and Pertzel 172. Blake McAuliffe (158), Mitch Gugliotti (152), Luke Donnell (135) , Sean Dillon (112), James Ross (90) and Mitch Fitzgerald (88) finished in the top 10.
Another captain, Under-18 skipper Liam Francis, won his team’s best and fairest with a massive 337 votes, ahead of Miller Griffiths (194) and Boden Learmonth (185).
Francis, who debuted at senior level this season, led his side into the finals this season. Other players to poll well were Ollie Watt (166), Jordan O’Neil (166), Adam Pulsoni (159), Mitch Dodos (who missed most of the season through injury, 153), Darcy Backway (108), Will Burnett (108) and Cooper Fawcett (107).
Bottom-age player Tyler Norman was the Under-16 best and fairest player — polling 222 votes to win from Cohan Hooper (187) and captain Nic Jephson (174). Other prominent players were Angus Scoble (170), Archie Watt (who twice polled maximum votes late in the season, 167), bottom-age player Lachy Carver (123), Max Carroll (114) and Declan Hallett (105).
∎ Pre-count favourite in the A-grade best and fairest award, Hollie Reid, was a 12-vote winner of the top netball award — making it back-to-back titles.
She polled 64 votes to win from Chicquita Vick (52) and Elivia Hall (31). Finishing in the top five were Alyssa Trebilcock (30) and Jemma Hall (27).
Rachel McCormack-Vick won the B-grade title from coach Sara Kent (Pettifer) and Steph Higgins (Wild) was third.
McCormack-Vick polled 54 votes to finish 18 clear of Kent (36), with Higins (35) and Molly Carver (19) in the minor placings.
At B-Reserve level Monique Williams was the best and fairest, ahead of Rachel McCormack and Alexandra Hall.
Williams polled 50 votes, beating McCormack (28) and Hall (33), with Abbey Watson (28) and Laura Papalia (28) filling the top five places.
Natasha Dodos was winner of the 17 & Under best and fairest, claiming the title by five votes from Isla Carver.
Dodos polled 60 votes and Carver 55 to finish well clear of third-placed Stella Tresiza (36), Charli Westerveld (20) and Jemae Miller (17).
At 15 & Under level league best and fairest Ava Pell, as expected, dominated the count and polled a massive 76 votes to win from Hannah Messenger (40), Abbey Bennett (29), Taytem Messenger (22) and Abbey Shortis (12).
