SA Footy

Mark Mickan told 3 of his players - Bryce Gibbs, James Sellar, Mark Austin - they would be dropped this weekend if they played for their school [ Brighton] in a crucial Wednesday match V St Michaels [who let their SANFL guys have a run].
Private schools tell their students they have to play school matches, or else look for another school. Brighton Secondary [a state public school] has provided any number of very good SANFL [almost entirely to Glenelg] and AFL players over the years, and now gets shafted by an egotistical, career oriented dickhead.
Nice one Mark.

I thought school footy came first?

Punk Rooster wrote:I thought school footy came first?

only with private schools punky

i understand both points of view but as a bayman i want him right for saturday

My view FWIW, they wont be at school for much longer, but they will play footy for 10+ years. I agree with Mickan on this one.

And if they had played for their school, would he drop Gibbs?
Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. These are school kids. They badly wanted to play. One is a potential national volleyballer, which means stuff like Olympics and scholarships in the US: worth more than most AFL careers. Mickan has to realise these kids have more to realise than playing at Brighton Road.

Welcome to the site Gonzo,

It could be that MArk is merely looking after Bryce, Mark and James best interests and limiting the amount of footy they play before getting drafted and as a consequence reducing the their chances of getting an injury that threatens their AFl careers.

Wouldn't be the first or last time a SANFL league players doesn't play for their school.....

I agree with Mark Mickan on this one also. Club Footy Come first to School Footy.

Gonzo, having gone to uni with national Volleyball players and coaches, trust me they'll earn more in a SANFL career than what they will playing Volleyball for Australia or at a college in the US.

I think JAmes has made his decision on what sport he wants to play by going to the U/18 Nationals............

Thanks for the responses. I guess my gripes come from:
Woodville/West Torrens let their players play.
Sturt FC has always let their guys fulfill their school obligations.
I bet other clubs do too.
So why are the Bays special? or just anti-community, shafting a school that has given them a lot of support.

i remember many moons ago ... essendon coach allowed dustin fletcher to play a school game instead of a afl game.....in fact the school game was a curtain raiser... sheeds siad u only go to school once ..u might as well enjoy it


still remember st micks not allowin greg anderson play footy at port so he change schools

gonzo wrote:So why are the Bays special? or just anti-community, shafting a school that has given them a lot of support.

carefull Gonzo, as a former trainer at Glenelg I know of plenty of our juniors and senior players who have played school footy.

The name Brad Ottens springs readily to mind.....

The thing is, Tassie, they have been allowed to play up until now. We won a school trophy last year, and those 3 guys, fitness allowing, have played. Until now. I'm sure Dean Ottens was allowed to play school footy. Graham Cornes and Russell Ebert had no choice at Sacred Heart!

The Principal's spewing, and she's NOT a woman to be messed with, as I think Mickan discovered. School and club are seperate things, and what the kids want to do is a major consideration.

my dad tells me that robert walls played for his school midweek at glenelg oval then fronted for carlton on the saturday back in the 60's

Let's put things into perspective.

The Bays are playing Norwood this Saturday for possibly a spot in the finals for the first time in a long time.

I'd wrap him up in cotton wool and would refuse him too, I was only aware of the players that are forced to play for private schools that would these days.

It would be irresponsiblve of Mickan if he allowed him to play and IMHO he's might he right decision. If I was a Bays member I'd be very happy knowing Mickan places so much importance on the club and the game this week.

The School has cut the bays some slack by letting them play for their club but he is dead right in the context of their season the players are needed to be fully fit and fired up especially Gibbs after kicking 6.1 last game.


If it was me I'd play for my club and not the school as it would a bigger thrill to play finals footy and have a shot at a SANFL flag than trying to win a trophy for my school.

Wedgie wrote:Let's put things into perspective.

The Bays are playing Norwood this Saturday for possibly a spot in the finals for the first time in a long time.

I'd wrap him up in cotton wool and would refuse him too, I was only aware of the players that are forced to play for private schools that would these days.

It would be irresponsiblve of Mickan if he allowed him to play and IMHO he's might he right decision. If I was a Bays member I'd be very happy knowing Mickan places so much importance on the club and the game this week.

Correct weight and all clear...if Mickan let them played and they got injured he would have more problems than an irate Principal!!!

Its bigger picture stuff really....school footy is nice to play, however club footy is their future careers..once they start taking cash from the GFC they have a responsibility to them and thei members/fans

gonzo wrote:Mark Mickan told 3 of his players - Bryce Gibbs, James Sellar, Mark Austin - they would be dropped this weekend if they played for their school [ Brighton] in a crucial Wednesday match V St Michaels [who let their SANFL guys have a run].
Private schools tell their students they have to play school matches, or else look for another school. Brighton Secondary [a state public school] has provided any number of very good SANFL [almost entirely to Glenelg] and AFL players over the years, and now gets shafted by an egotistical, career oriented dickhead.
Nice one Mark.

If the school is so self righteous over this issue then why did the
school let those players play for Glenelg against Port on sunday?
Now thats only a 4 day break.

bayman wrote:

Punk Rooster wrote:I thought school footy came first?

only with private schools punky

i understand both points of view but as a bayman i want him right for saturday

i went to Adelaide High wasnt aloud to play for Norwood juniors unless i played for my school AND ADELAIDE HIGH IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL

Playing for ur school is something all players cherish these guys wanted to play let them.

Coaches of semi-pro outfits such as the SANFL need to remember they are community clubs. It's school and grassroots footy that actually produces the players. Where would Glenelg be without Brighton SS and Sacred Heart? It needs to be a two way street.

Interestingly, Neil Kerley never even contemplated stopping Weston and Hodgeman playing for their school in 73-74.
Also interesting is the fact that the 3 lads named are out hoofing the footy on the school oval at every opportunity. I doubt if what amounted to an U17 clash on a Wednesday was going to pose any more injury risks than that! These same three represented Australia in the hybrid game against the Irish. How relevant is that to a SANFL premiership? Where was the cotton wool then?

Mickan is right!! All three shouldn't be allowed to play against the Redlegs. It's the principle of the thing

regards,

REB