Former AFL chief govt Gillon McLachlan, having skilled the sharp finish of a few of Smith’s columns, paid tribute to how he approached his craft.
“Patrick Smith was as robust and as laborious as any journalist who coated soccer,” McLachlan mentioned. “He made each administrator higher as a result of he held you accountable, however he was ready to take action whereas incomes your respect.
“He valued reality and accuracy over being first. He was old-school in that he didn’t depend on a single supply however sought the views of many, together with these he disagreed with.”
Though Smith was greatest identified for his columns concerning the AFL and particularly, the robust stance he took in opposition to racism in soccer, his nice sporting love was horse racing. Till the time of his retirement, he campaigned to eradicate the usage of the whip in racing.
The late Les Carlyon, a celebrated historian and racing author, as soon as mentioned that Smith’s biggest reward was the standard of his prose. “There aren’t any impenetrable thickets, not one of the clichés that so usually deaden sports activities writing, only one crystal-clear sentence marching effortlessly into the following.”
Smith’s son Damien mentioned his father was a lot cherished for his sense of humour, loyalty and honesty. “A person of integrity, he was adored,” Damien Smith mentioned. “He leaves an infinite void in our hearts.”
Patrick Smith is survived by his spouse Sue, his son Damien, his daughter Nicola and 4 grand youngsters.