Born in Manchester, England Gary Smallridge played rugby as a junior. He made his league debut playing for East Fremantle Football Club (West Australian Football League) in 1990. Smallridge played 22 games for East Fremantle in his first season and took out the club’s best and fairest award.

He then decided to join Port Adelaide in the SANFL and made 37 senior appearances for the Magpies from 1991 to 1992. He won Port’s most dedicated player trophy in 1991.