Purely Amateur: Rubbing shoulders with Bassett

[Q.]

Purely Amateur: Rubbing shoulders with Bassett

by SAFooty's Quichey

It's not uncommon for former AFL stars to make an appearance in amateur football ranks after they've retired from professional forms of the game, though a number have bypassed the SAAFL to chase the money being thrown at them by country clubs.

The likes of Mark Ricciuto, Ken McGregor, and Ian Perrie have pulled on the boots for metropolitan clubs in recent seasons and their presence drew extra attention from supporters, onlookers and, undoubtedly, opposition coaches. Nathan Bassett was another who played a handful of amateur games before taking up the reigns as Norwood's head coach.

The high profile that comes with being an AFL player would have its pros and cons, but one of the great positives is being able to use that profile for the benefit of local communities. Many may not know that Bassett is an ambassador for Diabetes Counselling Online and few at our football club knew that earlier this year he was auctioning his playing services to help raise money for the charity.

One of our astute sponsors knew of the auction though and, being a huge Redlegs fan, placed a bid on behalf of the club. We were fortunate enough for it to be the winning bid and the news generated considerable excitement amongst the club. Being a club that has always sat at the lower end of the divisions, it would be the first time a former AFL player would don our guernsey. For all the players too, it would be the first time they would get to play alongside someone of such stature. Bassett may not have been an AFL legend, but you don't play 210 games at the highest level without having footballing class and a high work ethic.

If I thought Bassett's presence at training was palpable, it was even more so come game day. A finals-like atmosphere engulfed the ground. Bassett's class was obvious, epitomised by a nonchalant checkside goal early in the game and the players listened intently when he offered advice during the half time break. In the end, we didn't get the win, but it's not a game that those who had the priviledge of playing will forget anytime soon.

Many of us would have had encounters with AFL footballers outside of football, some are receptive, while others are very much less so. When Bassett appeared at our club, it's safe to say that most people were enamored by his presence and his genuinely down-to-earth personality. It's a nice reminder that, despite mainstream media's penchant for sensationalising negative stories about elite footballers, that there are plenty of top blokes among the ranks of professional Australian Rules Football.

[whufc]

I have had the pleasure of playing soccer against Bassett a couple of times all i can say is.

-very proffesional
-has pride in his own performance
-takes his sport very very very serious
-takes stuff as good as he gives
-loves to teach younger players from both sides
-is a wonderful person on and off the pitch

[White Line Fever]

I played cricket against him in my one and only game of cricket.
Faced 4 balls.
No runs.
Didn't get me out

Go Leggies