Sports Legend / Media Commentator

The sporting career of Simon O’Donnell reads like a schoolboy’s dream comes true. After excelling in sport at Assumption College in Kilmore, Simon moved to Melbourne to play Australian Rules Football with St. Kilda. After two successful seasons with the Saints, Simon was faced with a difficult but enviable decision – whether to concentrate on cricket or football. He chose cricket and has never looked back. Whilst it may appear that Simon’s sporting career followed a sure road to success, life away from sport has not been so kind. Returning to Australia in 1987, after playing in the winning World Cup Team, Simon was diagnosed as having cancer. He fought the disease for twelve months and survived. 

Not only did he survive but in 1993 “Cleo" readers voted him the 4th sexiest male on this planet!

Since his retirement from cricket after the 1992/93 season, Simon followed his lifelong passion of thoroughbred horse racing. His company O’Donnell Thoroughbreds International, a horse Purchase and Management Consulting Company, was formed in 1994. Since its inception the company has had many successes on the racetrack, winning their first Group One event in 1997. Simon is now also host of all racing telecasts with the Nine Network.

Simon has extensive experience with the media, in the past he has had various roles with the Nine Network including a regular segment on the ‘Midday Show’, a panellist on the ‘Footy Show’, a member of the Cricket commentary team, and host of the Cricket Show.

Currently Simon enjoys national recognition through his various commentary and hosting roles with the Nine Network, particularly in cricket and horse racing and is widely respected as “an easy going and genuine good bloke".

It is no secret that Simon is one of the Nine Network’s shooting stars and he has various key hosting roles in the Nine Networks national/international coverage of sport.

Achievements

• 1990/91: International Cricketer of the Year.
  
• 1986/87: Australian World Cup winning team.
  
• 1983/84: Scored a maiden century (130) in his debut game for Victoria.
  
• 1988/89 - 1992/93: Victorian Captain.
  
• Captained Victoria to win the Sheffield Shield 1990/91.
  
• Played 74 first class matches for Victoria (3037 runs, 7 centuries, and 138 wickets).
  
• Represented Australia in 7 test matches and 88
  
• One-Day International matches.
  
• Played 24 Games for St Kilda Football Club 1982/83.
  
• Current Nine Network host and personality.

Presentation Topics Include

• Making it to the Top
• Ingredients for success
• Makeups of a winning team
• Fighting the odds
• Preparing for the unexpected
• The Ups and downs of life

Testimonials

"Excellent – Simon’s topics connected with everyone in the room. He was funny and very engaging." 
Civil Contractors Association

“Simon was fantastic, very friendly and approachable. All the guests were ecstatic about his presence." 
The Mint Organisation

“Simon was very entertaining and humorous. The crowd certainly enjoyed his presentation." 
Fisher & Paykel

“Excellent delivery and very personable." 
Frontline Stores

“Excellent. Fantastic, had everyone in fits of laughter. Made it a fun afternoon." 
EDS Australia

“Simon spoke well of his experiences in life – both good and bad, highlighting the need for determination to succeed in all facets of life." 
MLC Life

“Excellent... have received 100% positive feedback from the people who attended and it has the town buzzing!" 
National Australia Bank

“Excellent. Simon was a great speaker, very funny. He was even better at answering the crowd's questions and was great when put on the spot. The co sponsor also enjoyed having him on his golf team." 
Hewlett Packard