SA Footy

Channel 7 just announced Mark Mickan has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and announced it to the players last Friday.

Terrible news, thoughts are with Mark and his family

MARK MICKAN CLUB STATEMENT

The West Adelaide Football Club wishes to advise its members and the broader football community that Senior Coach Mark Mickan has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Mark and the club will continue the work they have been doing with specialists on the management of his condition to ensure the best outcome from a health perspective.

He will continue in the role of Senior Coach of the WAFC with the support of the extended coaching department and the club




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Such shocking news for the Mickan family, SA football in general and of course Westies who have had more than their share of tragedy in recent enough times.

My thoughts go out to all.

Sad news indeed. I have always been a fan of Mark Mickan. Sorry to hear this.

Sad news. Has always come across as a likeable, honest fella.

Thoughts and prayers certainly go out to Mark and family

Very sad news

Yes, very sad news. Has been one of the likeable guys in footy, and a high achiever at both levels, for over 35-plus years.

Just of thinking of the great man.

One of the real nice blokes of footy.

Shocking news. All the best to Mick.

Shocking news. Only said G'day to him on Sunday as he was walking our of Alberton Oval.

Sad news. I have always been a fan of Mark Mickan and his contribution to the SANFL

Sad, but a disease that can be managed and still live a reasonable quality of life with the right support which it seems will be the case. Good luck Rubbers.

Dutchy wrote:Sad, but a disease that can be managed and still live a reasonable quality of life with the right support which it seems will be the case. Good luck Rubbers.

I agree Dutchy of all the things to be diagnosed with, this isn't the worst. Whilst not great and I feel for Mark and his family, I can relay on a good story. Close family friends - their father has Parkinson's and was unable to tie shoelaces or hold a cup of coffee. He underwent surgery - where they wake you up during the procedure, implant some thing into the brain which stops the shaking and they have now steadied his hand from shaking completely.

This is an amazing turn around for a man that considered never being able to do anything himself, to leading a normal life thereafter. Simply amazing.

All the best to Mark and his family.
A thorough gentleman

A gentleman respected in the entire SANFL community, I wish him well and well done to Lee and the entire West community for supporting him, life is bigger than footy.
I would love to see West turn things around and do well from here.

Mark Mickan focused on West Adelaide, not Parkinson’s
Warren Partland, The Advertiser
21 minutes ago
Subscriber only

MARK Mickan’s hands were shaking aggressively as he spoke about a West Adelaide loss.

But under the baseball cap and behind the typically quiet words, it was the same Mark Mickan who has had such a positive impact on South Australian football.

He cannot hide the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. However, for the past eight months he has known he had the condition, he has remained motivated and has no intention of walking away as Bloods coach in the SANFL.

“I’ve never really been devastated by the news, I just know I have to adjust my lifestyle a bit,” Mickan said. “I have to be diligent with my drugs and take a positive outlook. I’m okay with it.

“The effects are absolutely minimal and if there are, they kick in later on in the condition and can be reduced by keeping the brain active and staying physically active.

“It is frustrating a bit. I try and put my hands in another position where the tremor might stop, I move them around. It is something over time I’m getting used to.

“I know it is going to be with me now.

“It has got to the stage where I don’t try and hide it and it is part of who I am now. For the past eight months I’ve been trying to win a game of footy and that is my focus at the moment.”

Just 12 months after taking the Bloods to premiership glory, Mickan visited his doctor after noticing “symptoms I was not sure what they were” before being referred to a neurologist.

The inaugural Adelaide Crows club champion in 1991, an All-Australian in 1988 and a member of the SA Football Hall of Fame, Mickan admitted it was a bit too much to comprehend at the time.

After the diagnosis, Mickan chatted with people who have had Parkinson’s disease for “a number of years” and received valuable advise.


It is so typical of the reserved former champion ruckman to be embarrassed by the attention.

“There is a world of people worse off than me, not just with Parkinson’s, but with other conditions far more debilitating,” he said. “I’m fine.”

Mickan said he is blessed to have had fantastic support from his family as well as a close friendship group. The Bloods have also fully backed his retention as coach, having accompanied Mickan to an appointment with the neurologist.

He told the playing group of his condition on Thursday night.

“Certain people in (Bloods) management have known about it for quite a long time and they have supported me really well,” Mickan said.

“I wanted to be transparent through the whole process and after coming with me to the neurologist they were satisfied there was no problem continuing my role.

“While I’m up to it, I’d like to continue and it will be something the club and I will discuss as the year progresses.

“There are a few little things. My hand writing has never been that flash, but it is a lot worse now.”

Hey Mark. All South Australia is thinking of you. Is there anything the SANFL family can do? Just ask.

All the best Rubbers.
Had the chance to meet him a few times across the journey and he was always polite and respectful. One of footys good blokes.

Some good articles in the paper today about Mark.