Jason Smith

Jason Smith was perfect for Origin, possessing the size and physicality of a forward, along with the smooth, playmaking ability of a five-eighth.

Coming through the Souths Woodridge club, and then playing Colts for Souths Magpies at Davies Park, Smith represented Queensland at Under 17 and Under 19 levels.

He was signed by Canterbury-Bankstown in 1990, making his first grade debut that year, aged 18. He played four seasons at Canterbury with his older brother, Darren (FOG # 76), and they went on to play together in Queensland and Australian teams.

After a breakout 1993 season, Smith debuted for Queensland the following year, playing lock in the third and deciding match at Suncorp Stadium.

He just had that knack with the ball. He was one the smartest forwards I had played with.

Darren Lockyer FOG #104

Showing his versatility, Smith seamlessly slotted into the five-eighth role mid-series in 1995, playing a pivotal role in the legendary clean sweep, under coach, Paul Vautin (FOG #24).

Smith earned 16 Maroon caps, to go with a 1995 premiership with the Bulldogs and a World Cup triumph for Australia that same year. He played 16 Tests for Australia between 1995 and 1999.

He also toured Britain and France with the 1994 Kangaroos. Siblings, Jason and Darren played together in the second and third Tests of the 1998 series, and in the ANZAC Test, early in 1999, Darren in the centres and Jason at lock.

After the 1995 grand final triumph, Smith switched to Parramatta, where he spent five seasons. The evergreen Smith then enjoyed a fruitful four-year stint with Hull in England, where he was a crowd favourite, because of his sublime skills.

He returned to the NRL in 2005, spending two seasons with Canberra, before finishing his career with North Queensland Cowboys. 

Such was the length of Smith’s career, he holds the special distinction of sharing the field, at club level, with legendary Maroons, Wally Lewis (FOG #9) and Johnathan Thurston (FOG #148).

Smith played 209 first grade matches in Australia and 80 in the United Kingdom.

He also played in the Toowoomba premiership, when he was licensee of a tavern in the 'garden city'.