Please email organiser@TheOddFridayLunch.com.au with attendee names
Neil Balme has a new Biography out – “Neil Balme A Tale of Two Men” written by Anson
Cameron. Both Neil and Anson will be special guests at this lunch.
Neil Balme started his football career in WA playing for Subiaco, and moved to Victoria
and Ricmond FC in 1970. He played 159 games for Richmond including 2 premierships.
He retired at 27years. As a forward and ruckman he was regarded as skilled, but tough
and physical.
He then coached Norwood in SANFL from 1980-90 where they made the finals every year
and won 2 premierships. He then coached the newly merged Woodville-West Torrens to
finals in 91-92 before returning to Vic to coach Melbourne for 5 years.
He became Football Manager at Collingwood in 1998 and was there for the Grand Finals
in 2002-3. He became Football Ops Manager at Geelong in 2007 and was a key figure in
their 2007, 09, 11 premierships, breaking a 44-year drought year 1. He we returned to
Collingwood in 2014, but then returned to Punt Road at the end of 2016 as GM of
Football. Like at Geelong, he has been instrumental in an immediate turn-around of the
clubs’ fortunes with a Richmond premiership year one, after a 37-year drought. Another 2
premierships have followed.
He is probably the most experienced and successful football administrator in the game.
As a player he was wild and tough, but his calm personality, rational demeanour and
casual style has helped in his extremely successful football career, & his popularity.
.
MENU $50 + Drinks
To Be Advised – 3 courses, alternate mains
https://www.TheOddFridayLunch.com.au
