IMAGE ALT TEXTAFL
AFLW imageAFLW

Malcolm Blight

Last updated on November 25, 2024 at 18:09 pm

Posted on June 15, 2024 at 13:27 pm

Malcolm Blight

Personal information

Full name

Malcolm Jack Blight

Nickname(s)

Blighty

Date of birth

16 February 1950 (age 74)

Place of birth

Adelaide, South Australia

Original team(s)

Woodville (SANFL)

Height

182 cm (6 ft 0 in)

Weight

89 kg (196 lb)

Playing career

Years

Club

Games (Goals)


1968–73, 1983–85

Woodville

152 (342)


1974–1982

North Melbourne

178 (444)[2]


Total


330 (786)


Representative team honours

Years

Team

Games (Goals)



South Australia

7 (11)



Victoria

7 (14)


Coaching career

Years

Club

Games (W–L–D)


1981

North Melbourne

16 (6–10–0)


1983–1987

Woodville

114 (41-73-0)


1989–1994

Geelong

145 (89–56–0)


1997–1999

Adelaide

74 (41–33–0)


2001

St Kilda

15 (3–12–0)


Career highlights

Club

  • 2× VFL Premiership player: (1975, 1977)

  • Brownlow Medallist: (1978)

  • Coleman Medallist: (1982)

  • Syd Barker Medallist: (1978)

  • 4× North Melbourne leading goalkicker: (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982)

  • VFL Team of the Year: 1982

  • Magarey Medallist: (1972)

  • Ken Farmer Medal: (1985)

  • 2× Woodville Best & Fairest: (1972, 1985)

  • Championship of Australia Championship: 1975

  • Woodville captain-coach 1983–85

Representative

  • National Football Carnival Championship: 1975

  • Captain of Victoria

  • Captain of South Australia

  • 2× All-Australian team 1972, 1985

Coaching

  • 2× AFL Premiership coach: (1997, 1998)

  • Adelaide Team of the Decade

  • McClelland Trophy (1992)

Honours

  • Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1996)

  • Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend (2017)

  • SANFL Team of the Century (forward pocket)

  • South Australian Football Hall of Fame (2002)

  • Woodville Football Club Life Member

  • Woodville-West Torrens: Life Member

  • Woodville-West Torrens: Life Governor



Football Legend Malcolm Blight had an exceptional career. He played in 372 senior games and kicked 865 goals. Blight’s precision in high-pressure moments made him a standout. As a coach, his innovative strategies at North Melbourne left a mark. Success followed at Geelong, Adelaide, and St Kilda, leading to premiership wins. His coaching style was known for creativity and success. Blight’s impact on the teams he led was significant. His colorful career showcases his talent and contributions to the sport. Learn more about his journey to legendary status.

Early Life

Malcolm Blight, a football legend, was born in South Australia in 1950. Growing up, he showed a natural talent for the sport, which would shape his future career. Blight’s early life was marked by his dedication to Australian rules football, even from a young age.

His passion for the game led him to pursue opportunities to play at various levels, honing his skills along the way. Despite facing challenges and obstacles, Blight’s determination never wavered, propelling him towards a successful football career.

His formative years in South Australia laid the foundation for what would later become a remarkable journey in the world of Australian rules football.

Playing Career

Blight’s shift from his early life in South Australia to his playing career was highlighted by his outstanding accomplishments in Australian rules football.

  1. Played 14 interstate and State of Origin matches.

  2. Kicked a senior career total of 865 goals.

  3. Only player to kick 100 goals in a season in both VFL and SANFL.

Malcolm Blight played 372 senior career games, showcasing his skill and consistency on the field. His ability to kick goals with precision and his performance in high-pressure matches solidified his legacy as a football legend.

Additionally, being the only player to achieve the milestone of kicking 100 goals in both the VFL and SANFL speaks volumes about his talent and determination throughout his playing career.

Coaching Career

During his coaching career, Malcolm Blight displayed a knack for employing unorthodox methods to motivate and train his teams. As a player-coach at North Melbourne, he introduced innovative strategies. Blight later returned to Woodville as a coach before taking on senior coaching roles at Geelong, Adelaide, and St Kilda Football Clubs.

His tenure as Geelong senior coach from 1989 to 1994 stands out, where he led the team to a premiership in 1992. Blight’s coaching style was marked by creativity and a willingness to think outside the box. Despite some challenges, including being sacked by North Melbourne, Blight’s impact on the teams he coached was significant, leaving a lasting legacy in the football world.

Coaching Stats

In examining the coaching statistics of Malcolm Blight, a notable pattern emerges in his innovative approach and impact on the teams he led.

  • Winning Percentage: Blight had an impressive overall winning percentage across his coaching career.

  • Premiership Titles: He secured premiership titles with Geelong and Adelaide Football Clubs.

  • Coach of the Year Awards: Blight was awarded Coach of the Year during his tenure at different clubs.

These statistics reflect Blight’s prowess as a coach and his ability to lead teams to success.


Share on