Tommy Bland was one of the greatest ever players to have played for the Merbein Football Club.
Tommy played his first Senior game as a 16 year old and four times kicked over 100 goals in a season. His best return was 121 goals in Merbein’s 1975 Premiership year.
In his prime, Blandy was a full back’s nightmare. Standing at 185cm (6ft 1 inch) and weighing 90kgs, he would thrill the crowds with his tremendous leap, one grab marks and booming accurate torpedo kick for goal.
There were many a time it ended up in the trees, or in the swimming pool grounds at the end of Kenny Park.
He dominated the goal kicking awards in the Sunraysia Football League from 1969 until 1977. He won the Leagues goal kicking award seven times. The two years he didn’t win he was out of action with a knee injury.
Blandy kicked around 1300 goals in his years with the Merbein Football Club and the SFL. He was also a regular in the Inter League squad.
Richmond tired to entice him to the VFL on many occasions, but he declined each time.
He coached the Merbein Senior team in 1976 and 1977, before moving to Berrigan with his your family to take up the roll of Coach. He helped them to a premiership in 1980. Blandy continued bagging goals and notched up another 1000 until he retired.
