Retired Simon Black (1997-2013)

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Afl.com judges Black to be the best number 31 draft pick of all time:

31 – SIMON BLACK (BRISBANE LIONS)
Recruited from: East Fremantle (1997)
One of the AFL's elite, Black has achieved almost every accolade – three premierships (2001-02-03), a Brownlow Medal (2002), a Norm Smith Medal (2003), three club championships (2001-02 and 2006) and three All-Australian selections (2001-02 and 2004). He is the cream, although Paul Chapman (Geelong – 1999) is an excellent second, with Shane Wakelin (St Kilda – 1994), who played 94 of his 232 AFL matches with the Saints, third.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

End of Season Player Review

With the retirement of Michael Voss, Simon Black was appointed one of 5 captains and became the new front man for the Brisbane Lions midfield. As a consequence he was now getting the number one tagger every game. At first this was something that didn’t affect him and by mid year he was at his sublime best. But maybe the extra burden began to wear him down, and in the 2nd half of the year he began to have a few quiet games. In round 17 against the Kangaroos he had 17 possessions and a record 14 tackles, and it looked like he might be trying to lift his defensive work rate in response to the heavy tag.

Black ended up playing 21 games, averaging over 22 disposals a game. He somewhat surprisingly came equal 2nd in the Brownlow and finished 5th in the B&F, but he was a notable omission from the preliminary 40 man All Australian squad. By almost anyone’s standards it was a terrific year, but by Black’s standards it would probably go down as a little disappointing. However, I don’t think the call is on him to lift his game next year, it is more a matter of finding others who can provide him with some assistance. He is not a big bodied midfielder and he probably needs others with a bit of oomph to help in the clinches.

From all reports one of the areas he has dramatically improved is his leadership. Despite his brilliance, he does not project as a natural leader, but the club will be pleased this is an area that he has developed. The Lions are still in a development phase, and whether or not he retains the captaincy, it will still be an important part of his role at the club in the coming years.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Ben was my hero: Black
Martin Boulton
November 18, 2007

AS BEN Cousins prepares to front the AFL Commission tomorrow, Simon Black has spoken about the positive influence the fallen former Eagles midfielder had on his career.
Brisbane Lions star Black, arguably the most respected current AFL player, says he was in awe of Cousins' freakish ability with a football and, despite recent events, claims Cousins was a role model for him and several other top players.
The pair played junior football at Bullcreek Leeming in Western Australia and spent time together away from the club honing their skills.
"We used to kick the footy around in the park and he was always really good to me," said Black, who is 10 months' Cousins' junior. "He was someone I looked up to and was a real role model for me in my younger years. He helped me out with my footy and for that, I'm forever grateful. Ben set a real precedent for young kids in Western Australia. He always had a really likeable, charismatic personality but, above all else, he worked extremely hard to get the best out of himself."
In his junior days at Bullcreek Leeming and later with East Fremantle in the WAFL, the future Eagles captain caught everyone's eye with his natural ability, but Black recalls a determined, driven young footballer who left no stone unturned. "Back then, when he was still only 16, he was accused of lacking a yard of pace, so he did a lot of speed work with Mark Neitz, who was the West Coast sprint coach at the time," Black said.
"He had a big summer, got in the gym and built his body up and did all this sprint training, which had a lot to do with his development.
"As a result of that, myself and a lot of other guys, the Carr boys (Josh and Matthew), (Shane) Woewodin and Chad Fletcher started going to Mark Neitz and doing sprint training. We copied Ben."
On the day the Lions snared Black with pick 31 in the 1997 national draft, Cousins arrived on his doorstep to congratulate him and wish him luck in the AFL.

 

[MagpieGirl_13]

Re: Simon Black

I would just like to say that Simon Black is such a great bloke.

My sister went to a Loins training session this season (I couldn't go) & while she was getting his autograph, she asked him if he could talk to me on the phone. He said yes & I was able to talk to him for a little bit. He was really nice & friendly. Top Bloke!!!

My fav lions player ATM!!

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Simon Says: the dramas of being drafted
11:58 AM Wed 21 November, 2007
By Simon Black

DRAFT day 1997. I was overjoyed and devastated at the same time. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so I did a bit of both.
I knew categorically that my life would never be the same.
The mixture of emotions in the first few hours after I was drafted by the Brisbane Lions was extraordinary.
I was so excited because something I’d dreamed of for as long as I could remember had finally happened. I was in the AFL. I was going to get the chance to train alongside players I’d admired from afar and maybe test myself against the very best.
What a thrill. What an honor. It was something I’d worked towards since I was nine years old.
But Brisbane? How far away was that? I’d never even been there. I was a Perth boy, living on the Swan River at Shelley. In my mind I was always going to play for the West Coast Eagles. Or maybe Fremantle, the competition newcomers. Trekking to the other side of the country just wasn’t in the equation.
I shed a few tears and I wasn’t the only one. Mum was devastated, because like me she knew our little family had been changed forever.
Dad was more matter of fact and up-beat. He acknowledged my achievement in being drafted, pointing out that hundreds of others would love to be in my position, and stressed what an incredible opportunity it was.
It was. And I knew it. But part of me was shattered. I couldn’t help it. Brisbane!
How wrong could I be!
Being drafted to the Brisbane Lions was the best thing ever to happen to me. I wouldn’t change what has happened over the past decade for anything. I love getting back to Perth occasionally to catch up with old friends but when I head west it’s like I’m a visitor. I’m a Brisbane boy now. It is home.
I get the feeling the anti-relocation mindset has lessened these days and most players are just happy to get a chance. They’ll go anywhere to play in the AFL.
Yet I’m sure there are still plenty of people who will go through what my family and I went through if they are lucky enough to be chosen in the 2007 AFL National Draft on Saturday.
It was like it was only yesterday. The time difference meant an early start in Perth – 9am local time I think. I gathered around the television in the lounge room to watch it all unfold with mum, dad, my brother Ben, who was two years older.
I honestly didn’t have any expectations. Just hopes and dreams.
I’d had a fair Under 18 Championships, I’d been to the AFL Draft Camp, which back then was held in Melbourne, and I’d spoken to about eight clubs. Adelaide, Geelong, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Brisbane and Port Adelaide from memory, plus West Coast and Fremantle.
There was no commitment to draft me. The message I kept getting was “if you’re still there late we might look at you”. I didn’t care. I just wanted a chance.
So it began. One by one a bunch of teenage boys became AFL footballers. No.1 – Travis Johnstone (Melbourne). No.2 – Brad Ottens (Richmond). No.3 – Trent Croad (Hawthorn). No.4 – Mark Bolton (Essendon). No.5 – Luke Power (Brisbane). No.6 – James Walker (Fremantle). No.7 – Kris Massie (Carlton). No.8 – Chris Tarrant (Collingwood). No.9 – Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide). No.10 – Shane O’Bree (Brisbane).
I wasn’t worried. At best I was going to go late. And I was rapt for my WA U18 teammate Jaxon Crabb when he was drafted to West Coast at No.11.
So it went on. No.28 – Rowan Jones (West Coast). Another WA U18 teammate. How lucky was he! No.29 – Marc Woolnough (Geelong – Father/Son). No.30 – Paul McMahon (North Melbourne). No.31 – Simon Black (Brisbane).
I can’t remember a lot more about the draft because I was in a state of shock. Soon after I snuck off for a little private time. What had happened? Little old me, one year out of school, nearing the end of 12-month Diploma in Sales and Marketing at TAFE, was off to Brisbane.
With the wonderful clarity of hindsight I’d recommend it for anyone. Because it makes you stand on your own two feet. Like most teenage boys, my mum had done pretty much everything for me. I had to learn to cook, wash, clean, pay bills and generally take responsibility for myself. A fantastic learning experience that forced to me to grow up in double-quick time.
Shortly after Brisbane player development manager Shane Johnson called. He was heading to Perth to see me and fellow Lions draftee Beau McDonald. He arrived a couple of days later bearing ‘gifts’ – a whole bunch of club training gear. What a thrill.
I had to finish my exams and soon after headed to Brisbane. I met a few football officials and was then taken down into the footy rooms to begin my life at the Gabba.
Sitting together on the floor in a strapping room were Michael Voss and Alastair Lynch. They hopped up, shook my hand and gave me a nice warm welcome. I thought “How good is this?” Meeting two absolute legends I’d idolised on TV. And they were my teammates.
It was terribly intimidating but it was an enormous buzz. I was nervous and apprehensive, scared even, yet so excited. It didn’t matter that I was so far from home. I was at an AFL club.
I was billeted until Christmas with Ben Robbins, a former Gippsland boy who had originally been drafted to West Coast before being traded to Brisbane. Later, as is normal at most clubs these days, I moved in with a family for the first year. I’ll never forget the Monson family out at Kenmore. They were fantastic.
My first few training sessions were out at the University of Queensland and I remember vividly thinking how quick everything was, how much bigger and stronger the Lions players were, and how skinny I felt in comparison.
I felt like I didn’t really belong. I didn’t have the confidence or self-belief to even contemplate a long-term AFL career. If I played one game I would have been happy. I honestly believed in two years I’d be heading home to resume life in Perth.
These are all emotions that players drafted on Saturday may go through.
If I could give one piece of advice to those lucky enough to be chosen it is to understand and appreciate the opportunity that you’ve been given and commit everything within your power to make the most of it. And work as hard as you possibly can.
Overnight you find yourself out of your comfort zone. In a new city, with new people, and a whole new range of challenges.
As the great Gary O’Donnell said umpteen times over during his stint in Brisbane, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Don’t waste it.
Listen and learn but draw attention to yourself via your work ethic and thirst for knowledge – not by being bigger than a new draftee should be. Respect what the club and all the senior players are about and do your best to earn some respect of your own.
Set a standard for yourself and never vary it. Show a real commitment to what it’s all about. Because really all you’ve done when you’ve been drafted is earn a chance to become an AFL player.
It’s only the first step down what can be a wonderful career path but there are no guarantees. Just a lot of hard work and a lot of challenges. And if you’re even a tenth as lucky as I’ve been a whole lot of fun and never-to-be-forgotten friends and experiences.

 

[Warwick]

Re: Simon Black

Fantastic article.

Shows the challenge we have in attracting and retaining these blokes.

Also shows Blacky's great character. That's why he is one of our captains, and one of the best players in the game today.

 

[Lace Out]

Re: Simon Black

In the top 5 midfielders I have ever seen.

Couldn't split him with G.Williams.

 

[danielcan]

Re: Simon Black

In the top 5 midfielders I have ever seen.

Couldn't split him with G.Williams.

Greg had his own unique style of handballing. Who did he get that from?

I think Blacky's style is pretty unique too.

 

[konstas_87]

Re: Simon Black

what a cracking article.
champion blacky

 

[Roos34]

Re: Simon Black

Yeh i agree with your call. Hes the best midfielder i seen along with rob harvey, judd.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Brisbane's Brownlow medallist and West Australian product Simon Black said he would relish the chance to play for the Dream Team against teammate Brown.
"It will be a bit strange and a bit of a laugh with a guy like him as the opposition," Black said. "I am a big fan of this match. I would love the opportunity to play. It's a terrific stage.
"It is a shame it is not Western Australia but it is still going to be a massive game. It is not an annual event. It is a one-off so it is pretty special to be able to play in it."
Asked whether there would any likelihood of sledging between club teammates pitted against each other he said: "I don't see why there wouldn't be. You don't get many chances to sledge the blokes you play with."
Black said if he was asked to help formulate a plan to stop Brown it would be the same tactic applied to any champion of the game - reduce their space.

 

[T Rick]

Re: Simon Black

Did anyone see in the Lions 2007 Review that Simon Black was carrying a groin injury for the latter part of the season, hence his dwindling form.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Re: Simon Black

Did anyone see in the Lions 2007 Review that Simon Black was carrying a groin injury for the latter part of the season, hence his dwindling form.

As I understand it, he was carrying a similar long-term injury the year before, again giving rise to his varying form levels then.

 

[Sherminator.]

Re: Simon Black

Did anyone see in the Lions 2007 Review that Simon Black was carrying a groin injury for the latter part of the season, hence his dwindling form.

If he didn't have groin/knee troubles Blacky woulda won the Brownlow!

Next season is going to be big for Sherman, Black and Brown. Sherman and Black will have relieved tagging pressure and solid pre-seasons because Trapper will get a bit of attention, so you would think.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Jonathan Brown and Simon Black to miss first NAB games
Article from:

By Damien Stannard
December 29, 2007 11:00pm

BRISBANE Lions co-captains Jonathan Brown and Simon Black will miss at least the first two games of the NAB Cup.
Although neither player is in doubt for the opening premiership fixture on March 22, coach Leigh Matthews said the duo will be rested during the early stages of the AFL's pre-season competition.
"Simon has a bit of a groin issue and won't be ready," Matthews said.
"We could push Jonathan if we wanted ... but those two won't play until March." Brown and Black will be joined on the sideline by key forward Daniel Bradshaw, who has also been scratched from the NAB Cup.
Black was restricted to stationary drills at training prior to Christmas and is entitled to a lighter workload after such a demanding year.
The 28-year-old missed only one premiership game and despite suffering heavy tags, clocked his 200th appearance and finished equal second in the Brownlow Medal count in a rewarding 2007.
Losing Brown and Black severely weakens Brisbane's leadership group which has already lost retired utility Chris Johnson.
The reality is Brisbane might be top heavy with rookies and second-year players when it plays Essendon at the Gold Coast on February 16.
"In terms of who plays in February, of the 47 or so contracted players, 30 to 35 are available," Matthews said.
"That forces us to play our rookies and players who haven't played much senior football.
"And that's probably what you want to do in the NAB Cup."
Matthews said Bradshaw was progressing well after last season's knee reconstruction but will not be ready to play until the end of March.
"What that means for senior selection in the early part of the home and away season I'm not sure," he said.
Brown's carefully managed training program is purely precautionary.
The All-Australian centre half-forward said the coaches cycle his training workload - two heavy weeks followed by one lighter week - to ensure he is not at risk of developing stress related injuries.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Re: Simon Black

I guess Simon has now passed Luke's "Power Test."

Simon Black banks on new career
The Courier Mail - Link to Original Article


PUBS were once a prime business investment for AFL players, but wily Lions coach Leigh Matthews should be pleased that Brisbane midfielder Simon Black has turned to pulling customers and not beers as a Bank of Queensland branch manager.

Simon told Qconfidential he had always thought of investing in a business, and co-managing a bank was a better option than running a pub.

"Investing is something I've always wanted to do but never got around to it until now," he said. "The chance came up to be involved in a bank and it's about looking beyond my football career."

The 28-year-old admitted he may struggle to get to the Kallangur branch on a regular basis during the AFL season – although most of the day-to-day running will be handballed to co-manager Joe Bucolo.

"It's going to be hard actually to be there, but I will be there as a much as I can," he said.

Simon has already completed one course and has some further studying to undertake to completely understand all the figures given most of the numbers he's seen have been in columns under the heading "possessions".

"I'm hopeful that it's going to set me up after football, but it's not the only business I'll invest in either," he said.

"I wouldn't mind being involved with surfing or something like that."

Simon Black . . . Looking to life after AFL in the banking industry.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Re: Simon Black

Interesting to hear Black reveal that he had groin surgery after last season. We all had heard that he was injured but I certainly had no knowledge of the surgery.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Johnathan Brown, Simon Black head star cast for return
Article from:
Andrew Hamilton
February 24, 2008 11:00pm

JONATHAN Brown and Simon Black head an all-star cast of Lions making first appearances of 2008 against Geelong on Friday night.
Black's summer was destroyed by off-season groin surgery, but after 212 games, the view from the club was that the rest would have done him no harm.
It is a concept the Brownlow medallist struggles to comprehend, such is his appetite for hard work and dedication to his preparation.
Black has now done close to six weeks of training and has put his hand up for a game on Friday.
"I think I've done enough to have a run around next week," he said.
"Leigh thinks I'm ready to take the next step and get some game time and I think I'm there as well.
"Not having done as much footy training as in previous years, you can question have you done enough, its best to just get out there and find your feet out there."
Black underwent post season surgery after being hampered for the second part of last season by the injury.
Although the surgery was a success, there was a minor setback in his recovery which restricted him from most of the pre-Christmas training load.
For a player that prides himself on his exceptional endurance, sitting out the December slog was no fun.
"It has been frustrating, the groin just didn't quite settle as well initially as I would have liked," he said.
``The rest of the midfield have done a heap of running and I'm way behind. "But I've been lucky to play a lot of footy without too many injuries so hopefully I have a good base there."

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Black to start Lions' season 'underdone'
February 28, 2008 - 6:28PM

Lions linchpin Simon Black has admitted he'll start the AFL season undercooked after a slow recovery from groin surgery. Black, along with fellow co-captain Jonathan Brown, will make his first appearance in 2008 on Friday night when Brisbane plays premiers Geelong in a pre-season match at Carrara.
The 2002 Brownlow Medallist, who finished equal second in last year's count, had surgery in October after playing with osteitis pubis for the second half of the season.
Black's rehab has been stilted and he's only now fit enough to return to action, two practice games before the March 22 season-opener against West Coast.
"It probably didn't settle as well as I would have liked but post-Christmas now it's come on really well and I've tried to play catch-up with the training to get back to where the other guys are," he said.
"I probably will be behind where I want to be."
Black said it was important for the Lions, also to be bolstered by the return of Luke Power, to flex their muscles with a victory before the regular season starts.
"Having a win is always good for your confidence so hopefully this week or next week going into round one it would be great to have a win," he said.
"That's the aim and playing a real good side like Geelong is a nice test for us.
"Hopefully some of us older heads can help out a bit but it's just important to get some match fitness before round one which is just three weeks away."
After finishing ninth last season, Black said the Lions had enough talent to make the finals for the first time since 2004.
"I'd be very disappointed if we didn't play finals and that's got to be a reality," he said.

Link

Black easing back
Nick Smart
29Feb08

BROWNLOW medallist Simon Black knows he has a long road back to full AFL fitness but is looking forward to taking his first step against Geelong at Gold Coast Stadium tonight.

The brilliant Lions on-baller has been a model of consistency throughout his 10 years with the club.

But this has been his worst pre-season in many years after off-season groin surgery ruined his summer.

In contrast to his teammates, Black has been training for only four weeks.

But the Lions co-captain said he was looking forward to making up for lost time when he steps out at Carrara tonight.

"It (the groin) didn't settle as much as I would have liked and it took a while to get back," he said.

"I have got a bit of ground to make up but what better way to do that than get out there and play games."

Black said he would play half a game tonight and then play a bit more next week in the hope of being cherry ripe for round one.

"Obviously to be competitive is very important and winning the game is not as important at this time in the year as during the home-and-away season," said Black.

"But every time you go out there you want to compete and have the scoreboard in your favour.

"It is important for us to get a win over the next couple of weeks before round one for the confidence."

What is most important to Black is that the Lions do not receive any injuries after seven players from rival clubs have already fallen victim to season-ending knee injuries.

"I suppose you run and your body is not used to the quickness and action of a game of footy compared to training," he said.

"There is no substitute for a game so those knee injuries can be a real issue as it takes a while to get your body used to it again."

 

[dlanod]

Re: Simon Black

After finishing ninth last season, Black said the Lions had enough talent to make the finals for the first time since 2004.

Interesting... that's news to me, as well as probably a far number of other people.

 

[POBT]

Re: Simon Black

#20 in Mike Sheahan's Top 50.

 

[joshhem]

Re: Simon Black

Well we learnt one thing from the AFL liftout in the Courier Mail today:

Simon likes meat pies with tomato sauce but seems to think that his mouth is on the side of his face

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Who says you need a preseason? Simon Black has started the season off in ominous form.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Midfielder ready to halt Power surge
Article from:
Robert Craddock
April 09, 2008 12:00am

BRISBANE'S Simon Black is seeking even more of this quality from himself as the Lions prepare for their away game against Port Adelaide this weekend. "Not outstanding, not great, just average", was how Black summed up his season so far even though he has more disposals than any teammate over the first three games.
Black has 70 disposals for the season, but chalked up only 16 against the Swans' crack defensive unit in Saturday's loss.
"I am just trying to get my hands on the footy," Black said yesterday.
"We are getting beaten in stoppages and clearances at the moment. That is my game. It's about consistency and I am trying to be more consistent rather than having ups and downs.
"I had a groin operation in October so I came back a bit later and did not do much pre-season, but I am getting my match fitness now."
Though many teams find Port's spacious AAMI Stadium a venue to dread, Brisbane has won four of its last eight matches there against Port and the Adelaide Crows, and three of its losses have been by seven points or less.
For all the hostility of Port's infamously feral fan base, Black believes the statistics are a true reflection of Brisbane's ability to shine there.
"It is one of the grounds you think reasonably fondly of. I know it has a really nice feel. It's a nice pitch. It's big and wide and a ground where the guys generally enjoy playing at," he said.
"The fans can be hostile. I remember a couple of things they have said during the warm-ups. They get there early and have their picnics before the game.
"You can cop a verbal spray from beyond the boundary line but, to be honest, that can happen at most clubs. You do get it with a lot of Port Adelaide fans but there are no problems.
"Port are a very good running side and they have the Burgoyne and Cornes' brothers who run and use the ball very well.
"If you turn it over, they are generally a pretty skilled side and can be very damaging.

CHASING consistency . . . Simon Black in action for the Lions in the loss to the Swans at the Gabba on Saturday.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Simon Black

Link

Black implores Lions midfield to lift

Brisbane co-captain Simon Black says the Lions' once feared midfield needs to lift for tomorrow night's clash against the Power in Adelaide.
Black says the Lions' midfield is performing below expectations.
"We know we need to be better," he said.
"We've been beaten quite soundly in a lot of the areas around the midfield.
"It's a vital part of the game, obviously getting the ball going our way instead of theirs is pretty important, so we need to lift our game."