Simon Black

Born in Mount Isa, Queensland, to Western Australian mother and father Ray a dairy farmer of Kaitaia in New Zealand.[https://aflnz.co.nz/news/brownlow-medalist-simon-black-returns-to-play-for-new-zealand/ Brownlow medalist Simon Black returns to play for New Zealand] from AFL New Zealand He relocated to Western Australia with his family at a very young age, where he attended school at Corpus Christi College in Bateman and Aquinas College, Perth.[http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20060614-Famous-alumni-on-Lathams-hit-list.html Crikey – Famous alumni on Latham's hit list] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926224608/http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20060614-Famous-alumni-on-Lathams-hit-list.html |date=26 September 2007 }} Nurtured by his father, Black initially played rugby union with dreams of being an All Black thanks to his New Zealand heritage but later took up Australian rules.[https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/9949899/AFL-Brisbane-Lions-boast-Kiwi-connections AFL: Brisbane Lions boast Kiwi connections Sam Worthington, 17 Apr 2014] He was a standout junior 800m and 1500m runner as a junior. At age 15 he suffered a back injury that required him to not play football for 18 months.{{cite news|url= http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/24/1032734164646.html|first=Emma|last=Quayle|author-link=Emma Quayle|work=The Age|title=Brownlow medallist looks back on what might have been|date=25 September 2002|location=Melbourne}} He joined East Fremantle Football Club and represented Western Australia in the 1997 edition of the AFL Under-18 Championships, where he earned All-Australian honours. He was a member of East Fremantle's losing 1997 WAFL Grand Final team.{{cite news|title=Who Your Club Drafted|first1=Stephen|last1=Rielly|first2=Charles|last2=Happell|first3=Greg|last3=Denham|date=1 November 1997|work=The Age}} Black was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with the 31st selection in the 1997 National Draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/24/1032734123005.html|title=Black proves the pick of his year at No. 31|first= Rohan |last=Connolly|date=24 September 2002|work=The Age|location=Melbourne}}

Black was impressive during the 1998 pre-season and earned his senior debut in Round 1 against the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba. He played nine senior matches and averaged over 12 disposals during his debut season and took out the Club’s Best First Year Player award. In 1999, he consolidated himself as an automatic senior selection and built a reputation for winning the ball in contested situations. He collected 20 possessions and kicked two goals against Geelong in Round 9 which earned him an AFL Rising Star Nomination; he ultimately finished third in the award behind Sydney’s Adam Goodes and Adelaide’s Brett Burton. He played 22 matches for the season and averaged close to 19 disposals and won the Lions' Rookie of the Year award for the second consecutive season. In 2000, he averaged 23.9 disposals per game, led the competition in centre clearances on a per game basis and finished second behind Geelong’s Garry Hocking in hard-ball gets.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

Black became one of the league's elite midfielders from 2001. Over the following four years, Black and the Lions contested four Grand Finals, winning the premiership in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and finishing runner-up in 2004. During that time, Black was part of a Brisbane midfield combination which is considered to be one of the best in the league's history: Black, Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Nigel Lappin, who became known collectively as the "Fab Four".

In 2001, Black played every match for the season, led the AFL in tackles and averaged a team-high 24.6 possessions. He was joint Club Champion with Captain Michael Voss, was named as the starting ruck-rover in the All-Australian team, finished 5th in the AFLPA's Most Valuable Player award, and won the Herald Sun Player of the Year award. He represented Australia for the first and only time of his career in the 2001 International Rules Series against Ireland.

In 2002, Black won the Brownlow Medal, polling 25 votes to beat second-placed Josh Francou by four votes, and comparisons were made between him and dual Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams because of his outstanding peripheral vision and ability to get the contested ball.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/26/1048653747634.html |title=Simon the master of the simple game |first=Martin |last=Blake|date=27 March 2003 |location=Melbourne |work=The Age}} He earned All-Australian selection and won the Merrett–Murray Medal for the second consecutive season. He was strong again in 2003, and won the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground in the Grand Final with a career-best 39 possessions, the most ever recorded by any player in a Grand Final – it remained the sole highest until it was eventually equalled by Christian Petracca's performance in 2021.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/27/1064083247266.html |title=Black right on the ball |first=Martin |last=Blake|date=28 September 2003 |location=Melbourne |work=The Age}}

In 2004, Black became a vice-captain of the Lions, and he won All-Australian selection for the third time in his career. At the end of the season, Black had played a sequence of 107 consecutive matches for Brisbane, before a suspension in the violent 2004 AFL Grand Final ended the sequence.

Black's 2005 season was interrupted by injury, but in 2006 he played every match, and won the third Merrett–Murray Medal of his career.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/afl/black-a-trueblue-golden-lion/2006/10/07/1159641562420.html|title=Black a true-blue golden Lion|date=7 October 2006 | location=Melbourne|work=The Age}} At the beginning of 2007, Black was named as one of the four Lions co-captains, replacing the retiring captain Michael Voss.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200703/s1876793.htm|title=Lions appoint five skippers|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=2007-03-20|access-date=2007-03-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070323030945/http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200703/s1876793.htm |archive-date = 2007-03-23}} In 2007 and 2008, Black continued to be Brisbane's premier midfielder, and he finished second in the Brownlow Medal in both seasons. He earned Brisbane Lions Life Membership at the end of his tenth season of service. He was also the Courier Mail Player of the Year in 2008, and was runner-up in the 2008 Merrett–Murray medal.

In 2009, new coach Michael Voss named Jonathan Brown as the sole captain of the club, and Black remained in the leadership group.{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/brown-named-lions-sole-skipper/story-e6frecl3-1111117866748|title=Jonathan Brown named Lions' sole skipper

|work=Herald Sun |date=26 October 2008}} He had another consistent season in 2010, finishing second in the Merrett–Murray Medal.{{cite news|last=Australian Associated Press|title=Rischitelli the Lions' best in 2010|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/rischitelli-the-lions-best-in-2010-20100909-153ep.html|access-date=10 September 2010|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 September 2010}} In 2012, Black played his 300th AFL game, becoming the first player in league history to win a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal, a Premiership Medal and play 300 games.{{cite news|url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/black-night-for-veteran-lion-against-cats/story-e6frg7mf-1226341757129|title=Black night for veteran Lion against Cats|agency=AAP |date=29 April 2012|work=The Australian}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-02 |title=Lions champ adds Hall of Fame to incredible list of achievements |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/440279/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}}

In 2013, Black equalled Marcus Ashcroft's record for the most games played for the Brisbane Bears/Lions playing his 318th game. His final game was the round 21 match against {{AFL GWS}} at the Gabba after which he was suspended for one match for striking Giants captain Callan Ward in the final quarter.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-20/lions-simon-black-accepts-one-match-ban/4899452|title=Brisbane Lions veteran Simon Black accepts a one-match ban, Hamish Hartlett takes two|publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|date=20 August 2013|accessdate=30 September 2023}}

On 18 October 2013, Black announced his retirement from the AFL.[http://www.lions.com.au/news/2013-10-18/black-calls-time Black calls time]

Shortly after announcing his retirement from the AFL, Black signed on as an assistant coach at the Lions for two years. His main focus is coaching the team's forward line and attacking systems.[http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/simon-black-becomes-assistant-coach-at-brisbane-lions-20131105-2wxz5.html "Simon Black becomes assistant coach at Brisbane Lions"] by Matt Murnane, The Age, 5 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.

In 2016, Black founded the Simon Black Australian Rules Academy, a full time sport and educational program which provides pathways for students to pursue University and Fitness qualifications while training and playing AFL in an elite academy environment.{{cite web |last1=Beaton |first1=Robert |title=LEARN TO PLAY THE SIMON BLACK WAY |date=16 June 2016 |url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/learn-to-play-the-simon-black-way/ |publisher=AFL Players Association |access-date=3 August 2018}} He subsequently resigned from his role as a coach at the Brisbane Lions to focus on growing the Academy program.{{cite web |title=Simon Black to focus on growing Academy |date=7 August 2016 |url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-08-07/black-to-focus-on-growing-academy |publisher=Brisbane Lions |access-date=3 August 2018}}

In August 2019, Black joined 10 News First Queensland as an AFL analyst.{{cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/08/australian-survivors-simon-black-joins-10-news.html|title=Australian Survivor's Simon Black joins 10 News|publisher=TV Tonight|first=David|last=Knox|date=28 August 2019|access-date=29 August 2019}}

In 2019, Black competed in the fourth season of Australian Survivor. He was eliminated on Day 42 and finished in 7th place.{{cite web|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/5/21/exclusive-major-cast-details-leaked-for-australian-survivor-champions-vs-contenders?format=amp|title=Major cast details leaked for AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: CHAMPIONS vs CONTENDERS|last=McKnight|first=Robert|date=21 May 2019|publisher=TV Blackbox|access-date=25 May 2019}}

:[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/S/Simon_Black.html Simon Black's player profile at AFL Tables]

{{Australian rules football statistics legend|p=y|s=y|b=y}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 1998

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 9 || 2 || 5 || 73 || 37 || 110 || 28 || 11 || 0.2 || 0.6 || 8.1 || 4.1 || 12.2 || 3.1 || 1.2 || 0

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 1999

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 22 || 19 || 14 || 260 || 156 || 416 || 70 || 60 || 0.9 || 0.6 || 11.8 || 7.1 || 18.9 || 3.2 || 2.7 || 9

|- style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2000

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 19 || 16 || 12 || 273 || 181 || 454 || 61 || 62 || 0.8 || 0.6 || 14.4 || 9.5 || 23.9 || 3.2 || 3.3 || 4

|-

| scope="row" bgcolor="F0E68C" | 2001^#

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 25 || 23 || 17 || 308 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 314^† || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 622^† || 79 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 119^† || 0.9 || 0.7 || 12.3 || 12.6 || 24.9 || 3.2 || 4.8 || 12

|- style="background:#eaeaea;"

| scope="row" bgcolor="F0E68C" | 2002^#

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 25 || 17 || 18 || 288 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 294^† || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 582^† || 84 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 115^† || 0.7 || 0.7 || 11.5 || 11.8 || 23.3 || 3.4 || 4.6 || bgcolor="98FB98" | 25

|-

| scope="row" bgcolor="F0E68C" | 2003^#

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 26 || 16 || 14 || 326 || 308 || 634 || 73 || 113 || 0.6 || 0.5 || 12.5 || 11.8 || 24.4 || 2.8 || 4.3 || 12

|- style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2004

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 25 || 13 || 11 || 284 || 307 || 591 || 57 || 97 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 11.4 || 12.3 || 23.6 || 2.3 || 3.9 || 18

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2005

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 18 || 10 || 8 || 213 || 183 || 396 || 50 || 48 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 11.8 || 10.2 || 22.0 || 2.8 || 2.7 || 6

|-style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2006

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 22 || 8 || 4 || 257 || 273 || 530 || 63 || 108 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 11.7 || 12.4 || 24.1 || 2.9 || 4.9 || 11

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2007

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 21 || 9 || 11 || 244 || 222 || 466 || 45 || 91 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 11.6 || 10.6 || 22.2 || 2.1 || 4.3 || 22

|-style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2008

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 21 || 10 || 9 || 253 || 286 || 539 || 61 || 87 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 12.0 || 13.6 || 25.7 || 2.9 || 4.1 || 23

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2009

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 23 || 10 || 7 || 256 || 328 || 584 || 65 || 112 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 11.1 || 14.3 || 25.4 || 2.8 || 4.9 || 19

|-style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2010

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 18 || 6 || 4 || 222 || 238 || 460 || 74 || 69 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 12.3 || 13.2 || 25.6 || 4.1 || 3.8 || 3

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2011

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 22 || 4 || 9 || 285 || 305 || 590 || 62 || 95 || 0.2 || 0.4 || 13.0 || 13.9 || 26.8 || 2.8 || 4.3 || 9

|-style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2012

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 18 || 5 || 6 || 180 || 247 || 427 || 48 || 67 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 10.0 || 13.7 || 23.7 || 2.7 || 3.7 || 6

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2013

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL BL}}

| 20 || 8 || 3 || 5 || 77 || 102 || 179 || 17 || 29 || 0.4 || 0.6 || 9.6 || 12.8 || 22.4 || 2.1 || 3.6 || 5

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 322

! 171

! 154

! 3799

! 3781

! 7580

! 937

! 1283

! 0.5

! 0.5

! 11.8

! 11.7

! 23.5

! 2.9

! 4.0

! 184

|}

• Team
• 3× AFL Premiership (Brisbane): 2001, 2002, 2003
• Individual
• [https://www.aflq.com.au/2023-queensland-hall-of-fame-simon-black/ AFL Qld Hall of Fame] Inductee: 2023
• Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 2020
• Brownlow Medal: 2002
• 3× Merrett–Murray Medal (Brisbane Best & Fairest): 2001, 2002, 2006
• King of the Pride: 2007 – 2016
• 3× All-Australian: 2001, 2002, 2004
• Norm Smith Medal: 2003
• Australian Representative Honours in International Rules Football: 2001
• Marcus Ashcroft Medal: 2011 (Round 21)
• Brisbane Lions Captain: 2007–2008
• AFL Rising Star Nominee: 1999 (Round 9)

In June 2019, it was announced that Black had been voted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame for the class of 2018, but due to his commitments to filming Australian Survivor he was unable to attend the induction ceremony. He was officially inducted in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/reality-tv-gig-delays-brisbane-lions-champion-simon-blacks-hall-of-fame-entry/news-story/6cc68ebf68163f55c77a627c4f4907b6|title=Simon Black survivor, Simon Black hall of fame, Brisbane Lions champions, AFL Hall of Fame 2019|date=2019-06-04|work=Fox Sports|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-06-05}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}
• {{WAFL FootyFacts}}

{{2001/02/03 Brisbane Lions triple premiership players}}

{{Brisbane Lions captains}}

{{Merrett–Murray Medal}}

{{AFL Brownlow Medallists}}

{{Norm Smith Medal}}

{{VFL/AFL club best and fairest winners in premiership years}}

{{Herald Sun Player of the Year}}

{{Brisbane Lions Team of the Decade}}

{{Marcus Ashcroft Medal}}

{{VFL/AFL club games record holders}}

{{1999 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2001 All-Australian team}}

{{2002 All-Australian team}}

{{2004 All-Australian team}}

{{2001 Australian international rules team}}

{{1997 AFL national draft}}

{{Australian Survivor contestants|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Black, Simon}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:All-Australians (AFL)

Category:Australian rules footballers from Western Australia

Category:East Fremantle Football Club players

Category:Brisbane Lions captains

Category:Brisbane Lions players

Category:Brisbane Lions premiership players

Category:Brownlow Medal winners

Category:Merrett–Murray Medal winners

Category:Norm Smith Medal winners

Category:Australian people of Māori descent

Category:People educated at Aquinas College, Perth

Category:People educated at Corpus Christi College, Perth

Category:Sportspeople from Mount Isa

Category:Western Australian Sports Star of the Year winners

Category:West Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees

Category:Australia international rules football team players

Category:Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees

Category:VFL/AFL premiership players

Category:Survivor (franchise) contestants

Category:Participants in Australian reality television series