Neil Balme

Neil Allen Balme (born 15 January 1952) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), as well as for the Subiaco Football Club in the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL) and the Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

Throughout his involvement in football, as a player, coach and administrator, Balme has experienced premiership success across a number of clubs.

Balme was one of three brothers, the others being Ian and Craig, to play League football.

As a player, Balme was one of football's wild men, a man mountain who often threw his weight around resulting in many tribunal appearances.

But he 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.

At this point, Richmond were in the process of generational change in the team after two premierships in the late 1960s.

The club demanded strong, vigorous ruck players and identified the potential in Balme to continue the tradition.

Balme played his junior football with Wembley Athletic Club, after leaving Mount Pleasant Amateurs, before transferring to Western Australian Football League (WAFL) club Subiaco in 1968.

Aged just 16, Balme created a huge impression with a strong performance in the ruck against future Australian Football Hall of Famer Graham "Polly" Farmer in a game against West Perth Football Club.

In January 1969, he moved to Melbourne with his family.

He was quickly enticed to sign with Richmond along with his older brother Ian Balme.

It was a riches back to rags situation after the move.

The Tigers believed that the youngster needed some rounding to his still raw game.

Balme found himself playing at thirds (under 19) level with the Tigers.

At season's end, he played in the team's third consecutive premiership under famous junior coach, Ray Jordon.

In 1970, Balme continued his development with the Tiger reserves, and broke through for three senior games late in the year.

He was a team regular in 1971 as a forward/relief ruckman and performed well on the big stage during the Tigers' finals matches.

Balme stood out with his height, big physique, long, flowing hair and penchant for throwing his weight around.

For 1972, the club recruited another player in a similar mould in Carlton's Ricky McLean, who played next to Balme at full forward.

The duo booted a combined total of 110 goals for the season and created terror among opposing defenders with their vigorous approach to the game.

Balme was less effective in the finals, saving his best game for the Grand Final when he booted five goals in a losing performance against Carlton.

He also provided several goals for teammates with intelligent tap-ons, hit outs and shepherds, an under-emphasised aspect of his game.

Twelve months later, Balme and his teammates fronted the same opposition in the 1973 VFL Grand Final, determined to avenge their shock loss.

Richmond started well, and in the second quarter began to dominate the game.

Balme instigated two incidents during this period that remain controversial to this day.

Firstly, he threw a round arm punch into the jaw of his opponent, Carlton full back Geoff Southby.

Although Southby was able to regain his feet after slumping to the ground, he had severe concussion and was replaced by a reserve at half time.

Minutes later, Balme launched a flurry of punches at Carlton's Vin Waite during a scramble for the ball in the Richmond goalsquare.

This sparked a small melee as the two teams converged on Balme and Waite.

The umpire had a good sight of the incident and reported Balme, who was later suspended.

It mattered little to the Tigers, who went on to win the game by five goals and annexe their third flag in seven years.

But the club didn't escape criticism that they planned the two incidents before the game.

Richmond players and officials have always defended Balme's actions, claiming that there was no way Balme premeditated his attacks on the Carlton players.

After serving his suspension early the following season, Balme returned to the side and 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 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.

Although, at 193 cm, he was often conceding height to other ruckman, he was surprisingly mobile and agile and never beaten in a one-on-one physical confrontation.

Richmond then lost a number of ruckman, allowing Balme to play more football on the ball and he was appointed vice captain of the club for the 1976 VFL season.