| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth | 30 January 1961 |
| Recruited from | West Adelaide |
| Height and weight | 196cm / 102 kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Debut | Round 1, 27 March 1987, Brisbane Bears v. North Melbourne, at MCG |
| Team(s) |
West Adelaide (SANFL) (1981–1986, 1991–1994)
Brisbane Bears (AFL) (1987–1990)
Adelaide Crows (AFL) (1991–1993)
Total (AFL) – 85 games, 38 goals |
| Coaching career¹ | |
| Team(s) |
Woodville-West Torrens SANFL (1998–1999) Glenelg SANFL (2006–2011) |
| ¹ Statistics to end of 2004 season | |
| Career highlights | |
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Mark James "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. He coached the Glenelg Football Club for five and half years from 2006 to June 2011.
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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.
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 its 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.
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 2000s 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 and in 2007 Mickan led the Bays to their first finals appearance since 1999. In the finals they beat the Sturt Football Club in the Elimination Final before going down to Woodville-West Torrens in the First Semi Final by 6 points and finished Fourth overall.
In 2008 Mickan was named SANFL coach of the year for Glenelg's rise to the top of the premiership ladder after the minor round.[1]
After a series of disappointing finals' performances in 2009 and 2010 and a belief by the Glenelg board that he could not take the club any further, Mickan was sacked from the Glenelg coaching position on 20 June 2011.[2]
Mickan holds degrees in both Teaching and Psychology.
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