Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Rod Blake

Known as
Rod Blake

Born
15 June 1952 (age 71)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 348d
Last game: 31y 45d

Height and weight
Height: 199 cm
Weight: 94 kg

Senior clubs
Geelong

Jumper numbers
Geelong: 16

Recruited from
Inverleigh (1971)

Family links
Mark Blake (Son)

Rod Blake

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
GeelongV/AFL1971-19831761130.6449%7.912.984.1631
Total1971-19831761130.6449%7.912.984.1631

AFL: 8,381st player to appear, 918th most games played, 950th most goals kickedGeelong: 730th player to appear, 63rd most games played, 67th most goals kicked

One of the tallest ruckmen - 199cm and 93.5kg - his long reach is difficult for opponents to counter and he can also mark strongly around the ground.¹

Recruited from Inverleigh, Geelong's Rod Blake made his VFL debut in 1971, but spent almost a decade in the shadow of his fellow ruckmen John Newman and Ian Hampshire before finally being given the opportunity to give full rein to his ability in 1980. Already renowned for his penchant for thumping the ball forward up to 40 metres from centre bounces, Blake quickly demonstrated that he also boasted great aerial prowess, considerable courage, and a sound football brain. He won the Cats' best and fairest award in 1980, and by the time he retired three years later had played a total of 176 VFL games, and kicked 113 goals. He also played three times for Victoria.

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “Football Record”, 13/10/80, page 34

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications, Crème de la Crème

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.