Mark Mickan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mark Mickan
Personal Info
Birth January 30, 1961,
Recruited from West Adelaide, SANFL
Height/Weight 196cm / 102kg
Playing Career¹
Debut Round 1, March 27, 1987, Brisbane Bears vs. North Melbourne, at MCG
Team(s) West Adelaide (SANFL) (1981-1986, 1991-1994)

187 games

Brisbane Bears (AFL) (1987-1990) 48 games 26 goals

Adelaide Crows (AFL) (1991-1993) 37 games 12 goals

Coaching Career¹
Team(s) Woodville-West Torrens SANFL (1998-1999)

Glenelg SANFL (2006-current)

¹ Statistics to end of 2004 season
Career Highlights

Mark "Rubbers" Mickan is a former Australian rules footballer who has the unusual history of being on the inaugural player list for two VFL/AFL clubs - Brisbane Bears and Adelaide Crows. He began and finished his senior career with SANFL club West Adelaide. All-Australian Team selection in 1988 marked the pinnacle of his playing career.

Contents

[edit] SANFL career

Recruited from Renmark in West Adelaide's country zone, the talented ruckman started his SANFL league career in 1981. After a stellar 1983 season he was cruelly robbed of the chance to play in West Adelaide's grand final win of that year (the club's first in 22 years) due to a torn posterior ligament.

Strong seasons in 1983, 1985 and 1986 resulted in his winning club best and fairest awards.

In 1991, having returned to South Australia to play for the VFL/AFL team Adelaide Crows, he was once again able to play for West Adelaide. He gradually fell out of favour with his AFL employer, such that he played the majority of the 1993 season with West Adelaide, winning his 4th best and fairest award.

[edit] VFL/AFL Career

Recruited from West Adelaide in 1986 to play for the new VFL license in Queensland, the Brisbane Bears.

Mickan's qualities as a leader and player were instantly recognised with his new club where he was appointed the inaugural captain. This is especially noteworthy given the team included immediate past captain of Collingwood, Mark "Chocco" Williams, who was appointed as Mickan's vice-captain.

While the newly formed side suffered many crises during it's early years, Mickan's skills were recognsied and he was named in the All-Australian Team in 1988.

With the formation of another VFL/AFL license in his home state of South Australia, Mickan was encouraged to join the Adelaide Crows. His first season was once again outstanding and he won the inaugural best and fairest award (now titled the Malcolm Blight Medal). However, by 1993 his form had tapered off from VFL/AFL standard and he was delisted at the end of that year.

[edit] Coaching

After retiring as a player Mickan continued to pursue his football interests as a coach.

In 1998-1999 seasons he coached Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, achieving 6th and 3rd place finishes.

Assistant coaching roles at AFL clubs Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the 2000's followed.

In 2006 Mickan was appointed coach of Glenelg Football Club in the SANFL on a three year contract. Glenelg finished 6th in his first year as coach.

Mickan holds degrees in both Teaching and Psychology.

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes