Simon Black will go down in history as one of the greatest Brisbane Lions footballers of all time. During his glittering 16-year career “Blacky” won three premierships, the 2002 Brownlow Medal, the 2003 Norm Smith medal and was considered one of the friendliest faces at the Gabba.
But a story less told of incredible, successful football players is the support network behind them. In Black’s
The pair met in mid-2001 at the physio clinic the Lions would go to for treatment. Catherine was working as a receptionist.
“I think I was a bit shy initially,” Black said.
“So I asked, ‘Do you want to come watch some footy at the Gabba?’ She said yes.”
The next week he asked her out for dinner and the rest is history.
“She was the good luck charm for us,” Black said.
At the time, the Lions were less than 10 years old. Catherine had grown up in Redcliffe and was not familiar with AFL.
“She had no idea about footy, which was probably really refreshing,” Black said.
Not having football in common was a great escape mentally for Black. Pressure and expectations were very demanding at the height of his career.
A few months into their relationship, at the age of 22, Black arrived at the biggest moment of his career. The Lions reached their inaugural Grand Final in 2001 against Essendon.
“We were pretty casual about it. I had obviously always dreamed of playing in a Grand Final. It was my fourth year playing,” he said.
The midfielder would go on to win three premierships and play in four consecutive Grand Finals.
Simon and Catherine celebrate 
Although Black achieved incredible success in his career, he admits playing professionally did have some pitfalls.
“You’ve got to be pretty selfish as a footy player,” he said.
Before
Sometimes it could be a similar scenario after games, especially when they lost. He would not feel social or want to talk to anyone. Other times he was sore and would need to be looked after.
“She very accommodating of that and understanding of the mental and physical demands,” Black said.
“In the long term, for people in a relationship with an athlete, you have to be invested.
“Trying to emotionally lift them up when they’re disappointed or care for them when they might have an injury.
“There’s a real commitment from partners
“The sacrifices they give up. They don’t have weekends to themselves.”
In 2010 the couple married and the following year they welcomed their first son Lachlan into the world.
Black said having a child added a different dimension to his playing career.
“I don’t know if it’s pride, but I really enjoyed my playing days when I had Lachlan,” he said.
But it did affect his routine ahead of games.
“The big one is sleep. I remember early on sleeping in the spare room the night before the game,” Black said.
After retiring in 2013, the Blacks welcomed another son Lucas in 2014. Six months ago they had a baby girl.
“Catherine’s been amazing the whole way through. She’s a machine.”
