About Simon
Simon Black is perhaps the most highly decorated Australian Rules football player of the modern era, becoming the first player in history to win a Brownlow medal, a Norm Smith medal, a Premiership and reach 300 games. An elite midfielder and prolific ball winner, he had excellent vision and an uncanny ability to distribute the ball in traffic.
Born in Mt Isa in Queensland but raised in Perth, Simon was a decorated junior athletics star. He played junior football with Bullcreek then senior football with the East Fremantle Sharks. He was drafted by the Brisbane Lions in 1998 and won the club’s best first year player. The following year he was rewarded with a Rising Star nomination.
Simon joined a powerful midfield group of Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Nigel Lappin who became known as the Fab Four. He was part of the all-conquering Brisbane side that won three consecutive premierships between 2001 and 2003. In addition to the 2001 premiership, best and fairest and All-Australian selection, he was part of the victorious International Rules team that defeated Ireland in a two-Test series of the hybrid game.
2002 saw Simon win a Brownlow medal, All-Australian and club Best and Fairest award, becoming the sixth man in 107 years to win the Brownlow medal and club champion in a premiership year. He was also just the sixth player to win back to back best and fairest awards in consecutive premiership years.
The Lions 2003 premiership saw Simon gather 39 possessions, a grand final record, on his way to the Norm Smith medal for best on ground performance. He was also awarded the WA Sportsman of the year and was the runner up in the club best and fairest count.
Simon’s leadership was formalised in 2004 when he became a vice-captain of the club. The Brisbane Lions played off for a fourth consecutive premiership and Simon won another All-Australian selection. Replacing the departed Michael Voss, Simon was made a co-captain in 2007. That year was the first of two second place finishes in the Brownlow medal count. In 2013 he became the club games recorded holder and retired at the conclusion of the season.
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