Darrel John Baldock, AM (29 September 1938 – 2 February 2011) was an Australian Rules football player, a coach and a state politician. Nicknamed “The Doc” and “Mr. Magic”, he played for St. Kilda from 1962 until 1968 and represented Victoria and Tasmania. As a coach, Baldock coached his former club, St. Kilda for 62 games from 1987 until 1989.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
His career highlights included St. Kilda premiership captain in 1966, team of the century captain, hall of fame legend, best and fairest in 1962, 1963 and 1965, leading goal kicker from 1962 until 1965 and was the captain of the tem for 5 years. In 1966, Baldock was captain for the All-Australian team and represented Victoria ten times. He received the Wander Medal in 1957, 1959 and 1971, Latrobe premiership captain-coach in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, became the Tasmanian Team of the Century captain, All-Australian team in 1961 and represented Tasmania 15 times. In 1996, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame as a player and was later upgraded to Legend in 2006.
Why Was He So Good?
Darrel Baldock was known for his pure football intellect and uncanny ball handling ability and expertise. When he played, it seemed like he always have the ball on a string.
What You May Not Know
- He retired to Tasmania where he raced horses.
- Darrel Baldock also played two first-class cricket matches once for Tasmania and once for a Tasmanian Combined XI. He served in the Tasmanian Parliament for fifteen years after retiring.
- He became a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, member of the Australian Labor Party and was a state minister from 1975 until 1982 before resigning to become a coach of St. Kilda.
Was he a legend?
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Related Pages
- More Australian Football legendary players
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of Australian Football