Please find below an edited transcript from what was said during the Q&A session.
Simon Black: Hi guys, Blacky here. If you have a question for me, shoot it through!
Rachael: Hi Simon! I'm a big fan, thanks for talking to us all today! What is your favourite band?
Simon Black: Hey Rachael, I don't have a favourite currently, but I have been listening to Goyte in the car lately...not bad! What's your favourite band?
Jack: Hey Simon, how are you? Are you going to be playing in the NAB Cup this week?
Simon Black: Hi Jack, yes I'm playing mate. I’m hoping to play both games but not 100% sure yet. Looking forward to getting back into it again!
Jake: G'day Blacky! When you finish your playing career with the Lions, do you see yourself coaching or helping out with the Lions in some way?
Simon Black: Hi Jake, yes I have an interest in coaching but I'm still undecided whether I'll go down that path or not. I have an interest in teaching younger players, I think you can have a real influence on them.
Guest: Which player do you believe has improved the most over this pre-season? Why?
Simon Black: Hey mate, Claye Beams has been impressive over the summer months with his development. I'm also excited to see Patty Karnezis play this year to see his development. I think Pearce Hanley will take another step this year and be one of our best players. Also Josh Green has impressed with his work rate and commitment over the pre-season. There's a few for you to look out for!
Craig: Hi Simon, how much of an impact has the Arizona trip had your pre-season so far? Noticing any differences?
Simon Black: Hi Craig, Arizona was a fantastic experience, a new training stimulus for a few of us older guys and the altitude was certainly very challenging to train in. The rarefied air made us light headed at times, it was an extremely tough camp at times but I definitely noticed some improvement in my aerobic ability when I got back. I hope it lasts for a while yet!
Rachael: I love the Wombats! How do you think the Lions will go this year? I'm super excited for the season, bring on finals footy!!
Simon Black: Yeah I've heard them on Triple J a bit, they're a good band. Yeah, I'm very keen to play finals footy too, it's been too long hasn't it. Hopefully we can have some luck with injury this year and give the finals a good run. I'm confident we can if that happens. I'm looking forward to seeing the team's development after a long, challenging pre-season.
IanHaso84: Gday Simon, thanks for taking the time out to chat to us. It's great to see that you've moved from a regular team member to more of a mentoring role as well as the situation has called for it. Have you enjoyed the transition and extra role?
Simon Black: Hi Ian, yes I've enjoyed the role a lot, to see the younger guys improve because of some advice you may have given them or a suggestion I've made, I get a kick out of. Like I said before I enjoy working with the younger guys because you can make a real difference.
Di: Seems nearly everyone who is not key position will have a run through the midfield in footy these days. Who are the players you are expecting to have around you in the middle this year?
Simon Black: Hi Di, we're trying to grow the size of our midfield group. The likes of Claye Beams, Ryan Harwood, Josh Green and Jared Polec are starting to push for spots in our midfield. Chances are they'll probably push me out of a spot in the near future!
Again I've been impressed the way a lot of these guys have improved and matured over the last few months.
Craig: Do you use 2 fingers to type???
Simon Black: Yes Craig!!
Daryl: As a team, what goals do you guys have for the season? (not necessarily just in terms of winning games) any personal goals you're hoping to knock off?
Simon Black: Hi Daryl, we'll be looking to get off to a good start to the season. Playing finals is so far away in terms of the amount of games you need to qualify so I always believe you just worry about the next couple of weeks in front of you. But of course our larger goal is to win enough games to play finals.
Jack: Simon could you please come to the Victorian family day this year. I would like to meet you and get a photo with you.
Simon Black: Hi Jack, yes I'll be there this year, I look forward to meeting you and having a chat!
Jake: Will be very sad to see you play against Lukey this year. I wish you and the boys the best and hopefully we can make a push for finals footy again!
Simon Black: Yeah, it will be strange playing against Luke, but hopefully he has a great year down in Western Sydney, we all miss him around the club.
Guest: How would you compare the fitness of the team compared to this time last year?
Simon Black: I think we're a fair bit better than 12 months ago, we need to be though. There have been a lot of personal bests in the 3km time trial.
Jerry: Hey Simon, you’re my favourite player on the team. After your playing days are done, are you settling down here is Brissy or moving back to WA?
Simon Black: I'm not sure what I'll do post playing but I do enjoy Brisbane, I think I'll spend more time down the coast getting in the ocean, I love the beach. So that's something I certainly will be trying to do more often. Thanks Jerry.
Julie: Simon, you are a legend and a great role model, the way you go about your footy on and off the field. What is your favourite and least favourite foods to eat, especially the night before a game.
Simon Black: Hi Julie, thanks for your message. I eat pasta a lot the night before a game. My wife cooks mostly during the week but the night before a game I like to take control in the kitchen!
I often cook spaghetti bolognaise and a salad. I try to eat healthy as I can, more because it gives you more energy if you eat well!
IanHaso84: That's great to hear. I imagine that by the same token, while you are helping these boys develop, healthy competition also develops as they improve. I imagine that some of the 4th year players think they may be knocking at your door. Does that help to keep the playing motivation up?
Simon Black: Yes it does, I'm enjoying the healthy competition the younger guys are giving me these days. It's kinda funny, to be pretty much ten years older than the next oldest guy in our midfield, except now for Ben Hudson.
Thanks guys, I've unfortunately got to head off to a meeting now. It’s been great answering a few of your questions.
I'll come back again another time and have a chat.
All the best, cheers Simon
You can also CLICK HERE to view some of the recent live chat transcripts with Matthew Leuenberger, Ash McGrath, Bryce Retzlaff, Aaron Cornelius, James Polkinghorne, Josh Green, Dayne Zorko and Brent Staker.
