“Enjoy the day” is the simple advice given to footballers across region by dual premiership player Barry Smith.


It is timely wisdom from the 82-year-old as the grand finals of the Mid South East, Limestone Coast and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues all occur on Saturday.


Barry has twice experienced the thrill of singing the club victory song on grand final day.


The first opportunity came with Robe in 1968 and the second with Hatherleigh three years later.


No other player has played in A Grade premierships with both the Mid SE Roosters and the Eagles.


The two flags were the highlight of the sporting career of the now-retired Milicent farmer which was brought to an early close by a persistent back injury.


“After attending high and primary school in Millicent, I spent a few seasons playing at Millicent and Penola,” Barry said.


“My coach at Millicent was Ken Roberts.


“The family bought a property at Wattle Range and I began dating a local lass at Robe called Raelene Vearing who later became my wife.


“We stayed there for all the three football seasons from 1968-70.”


As the knock ruckman, his body copped plenty of punishment from the opposition.


Although his ability was recognised with interleague selection, Barry never earned a cent during his career.


It was making friendships which kept Barry involved in sport.


“My hardest opponent was Peter Mitchell Senior of Glencoe as he was tall, was a good jumper and a strong mark,” Barry said.


“His son is now the president of the Mid SE.


“Robe defeated Glencoe in the 1968 grand final.


“Back in the 1960s and 1970s, you wore lace-up guernseys, only trained Tuesday and Thursday nights and had screw in spriggs on your boots.


“There were no diets or exercise sessions but you make sure your boots were polished on Friday nights.”


The next move for the growing family was to take over the operations of the farm they bought at Millicent in the early 1970s.


Barry’s first season yielded a premiership against Glencoe on a muddy Mount Burr oval in 1971.


His coach was Mount Gambier schoolteacher Wayne Johnston and he left an indelible mark on Barry.


“Wayne Johnston was a real gentleman: quiet and smart,” he said.


“I well remember Hatherleigh’s John Madden being best on ground as he kept running all day on the same muddy clubrooms’ flank of the Mount Burr oval..”


With his back causing problems, Barry brought his playing days with the Eagles to a close in 1973 after three seasons.


Whilst not playing football any more, Barry and his family remained heavily involved in the Hatherleigh sporting community and they have an association to this day.


Barry was a goal umpire for 10 years and served on the committees of the Hatherleigh Football Club and the Hatherleigh Sport and Recreation Centre.


Now also retired from farm work, Barry and Raeleen still attend Hatherleigh games and follow closely the fortunes of the Adelaide Crows in the AFL.


With his late maternal uncle Ted Croser, a member of the very first Hatherleigh team in 1947, Barry has stayed loyal to the Eagles.


He expects to be cheering them to victory at the seaside on Saturday.


“Hatherleigh coach Tom Hutchesson is a magnificent player and a pleasure to watch,” he said.