IMAGE ALT TEXTAFL

John Blakey

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

Posted on June 15, 2024 at 16:40 pm

Personal information

Full name

John Blakey

Date of birth

24 July 1966 (age 57)

Original team(s)

East Doncaster

Height

187 cm (6 ft 2 in)

Weight

83 kg (183 lb)

Position(s)

Midfielder, defender

Playing career

Years

Club

Games (Goals)


1985–1992

Fitzroy

135 (38)


1993–2002

North Melbourne

224 (72)


Total


359 (110)


Coaching career

Years

Club

Games (W–L–D)


2005

Brisbane Lions

1 (0–1–0)


Career highlights

  • 2× AFL premiership player: 1996, 1999

  • Victorian State of Origin Player: (1998)



John Blakey’s coaching journey focuses on team development and tactical refinement post his playing career in the Australian Football League. Shifting seamlessly into coaching, he tailored strategies to team strengths. Emphasizing player growth, he prioritized strong team dynamics. With meticulous analysis, he refined game plays and opponent strategies. Coaching the Brisbane Lions in one game in 2005, he showcased commitment to mentoring in football. His career winning percentage as caretaker coach is 0%, providing insights into his coaching impact. Discover more about John Blakey’s impactful coaching journey.

Early Life

How did John Blakey’s upbringing influence his future career in football and coaching?

John Blakey, born on January 3, 1966, in Melbourne, Australia, was raised in a family where football was a way of life. His father, Harry Blakey, was a respected figure in the local football community, instilling in John a deep love and understanding of the game.

Growing up surrounded by the values of teamwork, dedication, and persistence, Blakey developed a strong passion for football from a young age. This upbringing laid the foundation for his successful playing career and later shift into coaching, where he continues to inspire and mentor young athletes to reach their full potential.

Playing Career

John Blakey began his playing career in the Australian Football League after being recruited from Doncaster East Football Club and making his debut for Fitzroy in 1985. He played 135 games for Fitzroy Lions until 1992 before moving to North Melbourne Football Club in 1993.

Blakey continued his successful career at North Melbourne, playing 224 games until his retirement in 2002. During his time at North Melbourne, he played in a record seven consecutive preliminary finals and represented Victoria in the State of Origin in 1998.

His playing career spanned a total of 359 games, ranking him 14th on the list of most games in VFL/AFL football.

Coaching Career

After completing his distinguished playing career, John Blakey smoothly moved into the coaching domain, utilizing his extensive experience and expertise to mentor and cultivate young talents in the football world.

  1. Strategic Development: Blakey focused on developing thorough strategies tailored to each team’s strengths and weaknesses.

  2. Player Development: He prioritized individual player growth, providing personalized guidance and support to help them reach their full potential.

  3. Team Cohesion: Blakey emphasized building strong team dynamics and fostering a unified and supportive environment among players.

  4. Game Analysis: He meticulously analyzed game plays, opponent strategies, and performance metrics to refine tactics and enhance overall team performance.

Coaching Stats

In evaluating John Blakey’s coaching tenure, a focus on his statistical performance provides valuable insights into his impact and effectiveness in guiding football teams. Below is a summary of his coaching statistics:

Coaching Statistic

Details

Performance

Games Coached

Coached Brisbane Lions in one game in 2005

1 game

Winning Percentage

Career winning percentage as a caretaker coach

0%

Share on