Almanac (ACS) Lunch: Review – Footy Fever lunch with Neil Balme

 

ACS Footy Finals Fever lunch with Neil Balme – 28^th August

 

ACS presented its Footy Finals Fever lunch at the William Angliss TAFE restaurant on Thursday 28^th August, following its AGM.  Our special guest was legendary footy figure Neil Balme; player, coach and administrator. Neil is currently football director on the Board of Adelaide Football Club.

 

Neil spoke of migrating with his family from Western Australia to Melbourne circa 1969.  As a 16 year old he had played for Subiaco in the ruck against the likes of Polly Farmer and Bill Dempsey.  In Melbourne he and his brother Ian were wooed by Richmond with the promise of a pre-season trip to the Gold Coast. The allure of the meter maids won them over.

 

By the early 1970’s Neil was forming a rugged forward partnership with Ricky McLean who had moved from Carlton. This was a time of brutal and rudimentary footy; no intricate game games, just win the ball kick it long then do it again. In this period the Tigers won back to back premierships in 1973 and 1974 and Neil gained the reputation as somewhat of an enforcer.  Neil explained that the ethos of the time was “do anything to win” and he played his part.  Importantly though it was about a team first approach and working to a common goal.  It’s a different game these days and Neil acknowledged that they would not get away with such brutal actions today.

 

Neil’s career in the VFL ended quite early at 27 years of age due to injuries.  He then took the opportunity to move to Adelaide and take up the role as coach of Norward.  His initial feelings were that he had not much idea of what he was doing, so he threw it over to the players. He thought that footy at that time in Adelaide was more progressive and therefore open to his thinking. That included asking what the players needed from him rather than dictating a way of playing. They made it to a Grand Final in his first year and won a premiership within a few years.

 

After about 10 years in Adelaide with some success, inevitably the VFL came for him with Melbourne offering him the role as coach. Initially this started well – he was voted Coach of the Year in 1994.  However by 1997, just short of 100 games in the role he was sacked. It was a difficult time as the Demons were broke, then saved by mining magnate Joseph Gutnick, after also surviving a push for a merger with Hawthorn. These were factors not conducive to team success.

 

Not long after Neil fell in to the role as football manager of Collingwood.  In his words this was the role that was most suited to his personality and best used his skills. Over the last 20 years or more he has worked in similar roles across three clubs – Collingwood, Geelong and Richmond.  Except for the Magpies, success has followed with three premierships at the Cats and three at the Tigers.

 

Neil provided a number of anecdotes from each club touching on working with Eddie McGuire at the Magpies, Brian Cook and Frank Costa at the Cats and Damian Hardwick at the Tigers. As Chatham House rules apply you will need to see Neil talk yourself to get his opinions.

 

Neil’s career has been highly adaptable though his presentation touched on consistent themes as foundations to his thinking.  These covered collaboration, leadership, team-first approach, respect and being there for others whilst doing your bit and taking ownership of your actions.

 

Neil was highly entertaining and informative. We can recommend him as a speaker with relevant messages that inform not only sports management but team collaboration across business and life.

 

 

 

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