Vale Blair Campbell

[Dee-Nee 91]

Blair only played a dozen games for Melbourne in 1969 after crossing from Richmond. I think his career was curtailed by bad knees.

He was a short, chunky rover and sticks in my memory for a couple of reasons.

He kicked goals from difficult angles using the banana kick. If he didn't invent the banana kick, he was certainly the first to use it consistently in the 60's.  

Blair was also a useful cricketer, bowling left arm wrist spin for Victoria. I remember him in a last wicket stand with Alan "Froggy" Thomson. Both of them couldn't bat but they put together a good and entertaining partnership somehow.

[MrMoose 262]

Blair coached me at East Malvern Under 13's back in the early 70's.

Edited November 9, 2020 by MrMoose

[Engorged Onion 10,215]

I was speaking to his eldest son. He was telling me the other day that when he was at Richmond, yes his knees were dodgy, and to find a way, to keep him in the loop and connected with the club, they got him to run clinics to kids, which he loved to do, and continued to do so after his playing days in to the Gippsland area...

He really felt the need to invest in children.

Apparently he would turn up to Punt Road with a carload of kids, giving them milkshakes after his clinic, and it's one of the reasons there are lots of Richmond supporters of a certain generation ☺️

Edited November 9, 2020 by Engorged Onion

[kev martin 9,934]

1 hour ago, MrMoose said:

Blair coached me at East Malvern Under 13's back in the early 70's.

I am the one sitting next to Blair, dark hair. Which one are you moose? @MrMoose

Brings back memories. 

He also played for E.Malvern as the full forward. Couldn't run easily, but was always kicking goals.

Edited November 9, 2020 by kev martin