Heath Black
Encyclopedia
Heath Black is a former Australian rules football
er who played in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
The 177 cm wingman is noted for his speed and long left foot kicking. Beginning his career in 1997 he was seen as a bright prospect and several years down the track that has been proven correct. Black was recruited with the 12th selection in the 1996 AFL Draft
and began his career with Fremantle
in 1997. After spending five seasons at the Dockers, and after finishing second in the Doig Medal
(best and fairest
) in 2000, he was traded to St Kilda.
He was a vital part of the Saints' midfield during his relatively brief time there, and at the end of 2003 requested to be released so he could go back to Perth. However, the Saints lodged the trade request after the deadline and Black stayed on with St Kilda for another season. At the end of 2004 he was eventually traded back to the club which he began his career at.
In 2005, Black was one of the few consistent players in a mediocre season for Fremantle. He finished fourth behind Peter Bell
, Shane Parker
and Matthew Pavlich
, in the count for the club's best and fairest
award, the Doig Medal
.
In February 2006, it was rumoured that Black would take part in a publicity stunt similar to the Garry Hocking
"Whiskas
" incident in 1998, in that Black would change his name to Heath Purple. Whilst Hocking's name change only lasted for a week, Black's would have lasted for the entire 2006 AFL season
as part of a promotion with Ribena
. However, Black's involvement in a fight at the Perth Cup
on New Year Day 2006 and subsequent police charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, obstructing police and assaulting a female police officer may be a reason the promotion was cancelled.
In March 2008, he was fined $900 for abusing a field umpire at Subiaco Oval in a practice game against the Kangaroos.
On the 6 August 2008, Heath Black announced his retirement from the AFL.
Recently signed on as a playing assistant coach with the mighty Vermont Eagles for the 2012 EFL season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
The 177 cm wingman is noted for his speed and long left foot kicking. Beginning his career in 1997 he was seen as a bright prospect and several years down the track that has been proven correct. Black was recruited with the 12th selection in the 1996 AFL Draft
1996 AFL Draft
The 1996 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1996 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
and began his career with Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in 1997. After spending five seasons at the Dockers, and after finishing second in the Doig Medal
Doig Medal
The Doig Medal is the best and fairest award given out to the player considered best and fairest during a season for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL....
(best and fairest
Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
) in 2000, he was traded to St Kilda.
He was a vital part of the Saints' midfield during his relatively brief time there, and at the end of 2003 requested to be released so he could go back to Perth. However, the Saints lodged the trade request after the deadline and Black stayed on with St Kilda for another season. At the end of 2004 he was eventually traded back to the club which he began his career at.
In 2005, Black was one of the few consistent players in a mediocre season for Fremantle. He finished fourth behind Peter Bell
Peter F. Bell
Peter Francis Bell is a former Australian rules footballer for the Fremantle Football Club and the North Melbourne Football Club. He played as a rover . A former captain of the Fremantle Football Club, Bell was twice named as a member of the All-Australian Team...
, Shane Parker
Shane Parker (footballer)
Shane Parker is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club. He made his debut in 1995, Fremantle's inaugural year in the Australian Football League....
and Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich
Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
, in the count for the club's best and fairest
Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
award, the Doig Medal
Doig Medal
The Doig Medal is the best and fairest award given out to the player considered best and fairest during a season for the Fremantle Football Club in the AFL....
.
In February 2006, it was rumoured that Black would take part in a publicity stunt similar to the Garry Hocking
Garry Hocking
Garry Andrew "Buddha" Hocking , is a former Australian rules footballer and currently an assistant coach with the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League.-Early Years:...
"Whiskas
Whiskas
Whiskas is a brand of cat food sold throughout the world. It is owned by the American group Mars, Incorporated. It is available either as meat-like pieces in cans, pouches, or dry biscuits. Most packaging is a recognisable purple colour.-History:...
" incident in 1998, in that Black would change his name to Heath Purple. Whilst Hocking's name change only lasted for a week, Black's would have lasted for the entire 2006 AFL season
2006 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2006.-National Cup: 3.10.5 defeated 1.10.15 in the 2006 NAB Cup Final...
as part of a promotion with Ribena
Ribena
Ribena is a British brand of fruit-based uncarbonated soft drink, carbonated soft drink and fruit drink concentrate produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The original and most common variety contains real blackcurrant juice.- History :...
. However, Black's involvement in a fight at the Perth Cup
Perth Cup
The Perth Cup is Western Australia's premier Thoroughbred horse race and is held at Ascot Racecourse on New Year's Day each year. It has been run since 1887....
on New Year Day 2006 and subsequent police charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, obstructing police and assaulting a female police officer may be a reason the promotion was cancelled.
In March 2008, he was fined $900 for abusing a field umpire at Subiaco Oval in a practice game against the Kangaroos.
On the 6 August 2008, Heath Black announced his retirement from the AFL.
Recently signed on as a playing assistant coach with the mighty Vermont Eagles for the 2012 EFL season.