Bruce Smith, the 6ft 3 ruckman and forward who played 11 senior games in the 1960s, then carved his legacy forever at Tigerland by creating the ‘Tommy Hafey Club’, has died. He was 82.

Smith died peacefully on July 16^th 2026, his wife Sue advised the club. Survivors also include a daughter Georgia and a son Paul.

Recruited from Hampton Scouts, Smith joined the Tigers on April 21^st 1962 when the club was having a pretty rough trot, and of his 11 games across that year and 1964, he lost 10 of them.

He fared much better in the Reserves, comfortably winning their 1964 goalkicking with 37, and finished with 54 games and 58 goals from 1962-1965.

But the best was yet to come some 40 years later when he accompanied Ray Sneddon to Essendon’s successful Dick Reynolds Club luncheons - and the penny dropped that Richmond could replicate that experience.

So, in 2003 Smith led the charge to create the Tommy Hafey Club, a business networking group for individuals, sponsors and supporters of the mighty Tigers. He became their long-running President, and also held the position of Secretary. Peggy O’Neal, Mike Perry, Bill Meaklim, Rob Slade, Tracey Browning, Bobby Phillips and countless others have helped continue to bring his vision to life.

The organisation is still going strong decades later, hosting sold out themed events each year covering past premierships, ‘Tigers of the Turf’ and player tributes.

Born June 28 1944, Smith debuted as a 17-year-old against the powerhouse Melbourne side captained by Ron Barassi and led by Norm Smith.

Richmond used his 6ft 3 frame in the ruck, centre half forward, forward pocket, full forward – and in the initial practice matches put him up against Neville Crowe who was returning from a cartilage operation.

The Age called him “a rangy follower … who more than held his own against experienced League ruckmen. He showed great potential with his marking and strong kicking.”

Figure 1: March 14 1962, The Age

His 1962 season was interrupted by a finger injury on his right hand, that was only diagnosed after he went into Prince Henry Hospital for an Xray on his sore left hand.

Smith appeared only twice for our Under 19s - but both times in rather unusual circumstances in 1963.

After Rd 18 and Rd 19 for the Reserves, he was rushed by car to the U19s games in the hope he could kick them into the final series – which he did, scoring 5 goals each time.

(Smith also played in one of coach Len Smith’s earliest Tiger teams, a practice match against Yallourn in March 1964, where he booted 7 goals.)

In Round 10 1964 he was captured in a famous footy photograph walking through the MCG grounds with teammate Kevin Smith, coach Len Smith, and opposition coach Norm Smith – the 4 ‘Smiths’ all in one shot.

After leaving Tigerland he found great success at Dandenong in the VFA, winning their goal kicking in 1966 and playing in the infamous fiery 1967 premiership, when Port Melbourne captain/coach Brian Buckley nearly led his team off the Punt Road Ground in protest of the umpiring.

Beloved by all Tommy Hafey Club members, Smith received Richmond’s Alice Wills Award in 2018, which recognised his decades long service as a volunteer of the club.