Australian Football

Wounded three times whilst fighting in world war one, Billy Blackman applied the same courage and tenacity he had displayed on the battlefield to his football. A gritty, tough as nails centreman, he typically produced his best form in important matches, particularly finals. He played with Brunswick Juniors after the war and was recruited by Carlton. Between 1920 and 1924 he played 54 VFL games and kicked nine goals for a Blues team which was frequently knocking on the door of premiership success without ever quite achieving it.

In 1925 Blackman was cleared to Brunswick in the VFA where, at season’s end, he managed the accomplishment which had proved so elusive at Carlton - playing in a winning grand final team. Opposed by Port Melbourne, Brunswick won a close, high standard encounter by 16 points, 10.9 (69) to 7.11 (53).

After 22 games and nine goals in two seasons with the Pottery Workers Blackman crossed to the Birchip Football Club in the North Central District Football League. He later played a couple of games for Coburg in the VFA.

Author - John Devaney