Simon Black remains one of the most respected names in Brisbane Lions history, but away from the premiership medals, Brownlow glory and packed AFL stadiums, he has built a much quieter life with his wife, Catherine Black. The couple have been together for more than two decades, married since 2010, and are parents to three children, Lachlan, Lucas and Evie.
For supporters who remember Black as the calm, skilful midfielder at the heart of Brisbane’s dominant early-2000s side, his relationship with Catherine offers another side of his story. She was beside him during some of the biggest seasons of his career, through retirement and into his years as a coach, media personality and football mentor.
Who Is Simon Black’s Wife?
Simon Black’s wife is Catherine Black, formerly Catherine Chappell. Unlike her famous husband, Catherine has generally remained outside the celebrity spotlight and has maintained a relatively private public profile.
The couple first met in mid-2001 when Catherine was working as a receptionist at a physiotherapy clinic used by Brisbane Lions players. Black later recalled that he was initially shy when approaching her and eventually invited her to watch football at the Gabba.
Their meeting came at a remarkable point in Black’s football career. Brisbane won the AFL premiership in 2001, beginning a run of three consecutive flags.
Their relationship continued throughout Black’s rise from talented midfielder to one of the game’s most decorated players.
Simon and Catherine Black Married in 2010
After being together for roughly nine years, Simon and Catherine married in November 2010.
Their long courtship meant Catherine had already experienced almost every side of elite AFL life by the time they became husband and wife. She was there during premiership campaigns, individual awards, injuries and the demanding weekly routine that comes with professional sport.
Black has previously spoken about the sacrifices made by partners of professional athletes, particularly the need to understand the emotional and physical demands surrounding games, training and recovery. He has credited Catherine with being supportive throughout those years.
That perspective gives their marriage a deeper connection to Black’s football story. Catherine was not someone who entered his life after the success had arrived. Their relationship developed while his career was reaching its greatest heights.
Simon Black and Catherine Black Have Three Children
Simon and Catherine are parents to two sons, Lachlan and Lucas, and a daughter, Evie. The family lives in Brisbane, where Black spent almost his entire professional career.
Their eldest son, Lachlan, was born in September 2011, less than a year after Simon and Catherine married. Black has said becoming a father changed the experience of playing professional football, bringing a different sense of pride to the later stages of his AFL career.
Lucas arrived after Black had retired from the AFL, while Evie later completed the family.
Football has remained part of the children’s lives as well. A 2023 profile of Black noted that Lachlan and Lucas were playing junior football with the Mayne Tigers in Queensland.
Despite Simon’s considerable profile, the family has largely kept the children’s lives private rather than turning them into regular public figures.
Catherine Was Alongside Simon During His Greatest AFL Years
The timing of Simon and Catherine’s relationship makes their story closely connected to one of the greatest periods in Brisbane Lions history.
Black played 322 AFL matches for Brisbane between 1998 and 2013, establishing a club games record at the time of his retirement. He was part of Brisbane’s premiership teams in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and won the Brownlow Medal in 2002.
His performance in the 2003 Grand Final remains one of the defining games of his career. Black collected 39 disposals as Brisbane defeated Collingwood and was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as the best player on the ground.
He was also a three-time All-Australian and three-time Brisbane club champion during a career that lasted 16 seasons.
Catherine witnessed much of that success firsthand. Because the couple met during the 2001 season, their early relationship coincided almost perfectly with Brisbane’s historic three-premiership run.
What Simon Black Has Done Since Retiring
Black’s connection to football did not end when he played his final AFL match in 2013.
He moved into coaching and spent several seasons working with Brisbane. He later served on the Lions’ AFLW coaching panel and was part of the program during the club’s 2021 AFLW premiership campaign.
Developing younger players also became a major focus. Black launched what became the Simon Black Australian Rules Academy, combining football development with education and career pathways for aspiring athletes.
Outside coaching, Black expanded into broadcasting and television. He became involved with Triple M’s football coverage and appeared on Australian Survivor in 2019, reaching the final eight contestants.
Those projects have allowed Black to stay visible while building a career beyond simply being remembered as a former player.
Simon Black Takes on a New AFL Role
Black’s standing within Australian football was reinforced again in 2026 when he joined the AFL All-Australian selection panel.
The panel is responsible for choosing the season’s All-Australian squad and final team, while also contributing to decisions involving major league awards including the Rising Star, Goal of the Year and Mark of the Year.
His appointment reflects the experience he brings from more than 300 senior games and a career filled with both individual and team success.
Black was also inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2020, adding another major honour to an already exceptional résumé.
Simon Black’s Family Life Today
Today, Simon Black’s life combines football commitments with family life in Brisbane. Catherine has remained a steady presence beside him from his playing days through retirement and into his post-AFL career.
Their story is notable partly because of its longevity. They met before Black won his Brownlow Medal, married near the end of his playing career and raised three children while he transitioned into coaching, broadcasting and player development.
More than two decades after they first met, Simon and Catherine Black continue to keep much of their home life away from the spotlight. For one of Brisbane’s most celebrated sporting figures, that private family foundation has remained one of the most consistent parts of life beyond football.
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