Australian Football

Craig Balme may not have been in the top echelon as a footballer, or indeed anywhere near it, but his service to Norwood was both wholehearted and noteworthy. Like his older brother Neil he commenced with Subiaco, but unlike Neil he had not tasted senior football before heading east to join Richmond in 1983. Craig Balme's senior VFL career comprised just three games, and at the end of the 1983 season he was considered surplus to requirements, so headed to Adelaide where he was persuaded to throw in his lot with Norwood, the club which older brother Neil had been coaching since 1980.

In a dream start to his Redlegs career Craig Balme lined up at full back as the Redlegs capped a remarkable 'rags to riches' finals campaign by overturning arch rivals Port Adelaide in the 1984 grand final. It was, in many respects, the highlight of Balme's career, for although he remained at the Parade until 1995, amassing 254 senior games and 87 goals in the process, he never again experienced premiership success.

Author - John Devaney