Neil Balme
Former Australian rules football player
About Me
Neil Balme is a former Australian rules football player who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL) between 1969 and 1979 for the Richmond Football Club.
In September 2016 Balme left Collingwood to accept the position of General Manager of Football at Richmond FC.
Neil is currently serving as a Football Director on the Board of the Adelaide Football Club.
Neil also operates as a keynote speaker and consultant, sharing insights on team dynamics and culture.
Since going public with an epilepsy diagnosis in 2023, he has served as an Ambassador for the Bionics Institute and the Epilepsy Foundation, working to raise awareness and funds for research.
Neil is often referred to as the “Godfather” of football administration due to his involvement in 11 premierships across different roles.
| Era | Club | Role | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–1979 | Richmond | Player | 159 games; 2x Premiership player (1973, 1974) |
| 1980–1990 | Norwood (SANFL) | Coach | 2x Premiership coach (1982, 1984) |
| 1993–1997 | Melbourne | Coach | Led the club for 98 games |
| 1998–2006 | Collingwood | Administrator | General Manager of Football Operations |
| 2007–2014 | Geelong | Administrator | 3x AFL Premierships (2007, 2009, 2011) |
| 2016–2024 | Richmond | Administrator | 3x AFL Premierships (2017, 2019, 2020) |
