Neil Balme has seen and done it all in football for over five decades, with an unrivalled football journey across 3 states, 3 competitions and multiple premiership winning clubs. He has a proven track record of shaping and overseeing leading football departments. Success follows him.

As a player, Balme was one of football's wild men, a man mountain who was also a skilled, thoughtful footballer who could take a strong, contested mark and boot the ball long distances. After retiring, he built a reputation as a football coach and later administrator that highlighted his innovative thinking about the game.

Aged just 16 in 1968 Balme created a huge impression with Western Australian Football League (WAFL) club Subiaco in a strong performance in the ruck against future Australian Football Hall of Famer Graham 'Polly' Farmer. In January 1969 he signed with the Richmond Football Club in the VFL.

Balme stood out with his height, big physique, long, flowing hair and penchant for throwing his weight around, terrorising opposition players with his vigorous approach to the game. In the 1972 VFL Grand Final he booted five goals in a losing performance against Carlton. Twelve months later, Balme and his teammates fronted the same opposition in the 1973 VFL Grand Final, avenging their shock loss to win the premiership by five goals and capturing their third flag in seven years.

The next year Balme was one of the driving forces behind the Tigers' performance in finishing on top of the ladder. He played well in the finals and aged just 22 was a premiership player for the second time. Balme confirmed his status as a big-game performer in the 1975 finals, when Richmond finished third. By now, Balme was at the peak of his game and had a real presence on the field, never beaten in a one-on-one physical confrontation.

He was appointed vice-captain of Richmond for the 1976 VFL season and in 1977 Balme had his best-ever season, finishing second in Richmond's Best and Fairest award, the Jack Dyer Medal. In the same year he was chosen to play for his native Western Australia in the state of origin match in October.

Coaching Career

After retiring as a player in 1979, Balme then shifted to South Australia and became coach of the Norwood FC in the SANFL.

Balme's coaching stint at Norwood lasted eleven seasons during which his team never missed the finals. They won premierships in 1982 and 1984, earning Balme an excellent reputation and several overtures to return to Victoria and coach. He encouraged a fast, open and skillful passing game that he believed was the future of the code.

In 1991, Balme left Norwood and became the inaugural coach of the newly formed Woodville-West Torrens Football Club, however eventually he succumbed to the lure of coaching in the AFL and was appointed coach of the Melbourne Football Club for the 1993 AFL season.

Balme created a strategic, high-possession, low-impact game plan that drove Melbourne all way to the preliminary final in 1994.

Football Administrator

After coaching Balme was appointed football operations manager at the struggling Collingwood in 1998. In 2000, he was joined by former Richmond teammate Mick Malthouse (as coach) as part of an ambitious plan to lift the ailing Magpies up the ladder. Balme's calm, rational demeanour and casual style proved to be a great foil to Malthouse's more intense and temperamental character and the team made it to the 2002 and 2003 AFL Grand Finals, only to lose both matches to the Brisbane Lions.

In 2006, he accepted an offer from Geelong Football Club to act as football operations manager in 2007, for the Cats, the year in which the club won its first Premiership in 44 years. The success at Geelong continued throughout his tenure, with two more Premierships (2009, 2011) and a Grand Final appearance (2008). After eight years at Geelong, Balme was offered and accepted the newly created director of coaching role with Collingwood at the end of 2014.

In September 2016, Balme left Collingwood to accept the position of General Manager of Football at Richmond. In his first year Richmond went on to win 2017 Premiership, breaking a 37-year drought. This drought breaking performance was backed up by a minor premiership in 2018 then going on to win another two AFL premierships in 2019–2020 seasons.

In 2024 Balme finished his stint at Richmond and considered walking away from football until Adelaide Crows chairman John Olsen called, leading to Balme being appointed a Director at the Adelaide Football Club in 2025.

Come along and enjoy an afternoon with a true legend of the game and learn about footy and life. Neil will share his “Multiplier” philosophy on what drives success on and off the football field,

“There’s no great secret to it all, it’s just a matter of helping everyone do what they’re doing. If you can get an environment where everyone understands what the power of the multiplier effect is, and what the power of what they’re doing is… it will be easier to be as good as they can be if the other blokes are helping them,” Niel Balme.

“It’s in every footy club. The answer is in the room. It’s a matter of whether you drive it or not.

Don’t miss an incredible afternoon with Balmey that promises a raw and uncut version of some incredible footy stories and experiences he has lived in Footy and Life.

FOOTY AND LIFE - AN AFTERNOON WITH NEIL BALME
And match preview with Jade Sheedy

Date: Friday, 2 May 2025
Location: Port Lincoln HotelCanapes and welcome drinks from 11.45am
3 course luncheon and beverage package

$120 per person
$1,080 table of 10pax

Approx. 3pm finish, limited seats available.

Contact Event Organiser