One of his greatest efforts was kicking a goal after the bell in a game late in 1913 which earned the Saints a place in the finals. Ironically many in the crowd had accused him of playing dead. He played in the grand final side that year but in the following year was reported by a steward and copped a lengthy suspension. It was a controversial case as he was said to have retaliated and after the hearing he abused the steward. Schmidt upset teammates with his perfectionist attitude and in 1920 three star St Kilda players refused to play in the same side and he was cleared back to Richmond. He later coached the Tigers to the 1933 grand final in his sole year as coach.