Mark Mickan
Encyclopedia
Mark James "Rubbers" Mickan is a former Australian rules football
er 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mickan holds degrees in both Teaching and Psychology.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who has the unusual history of being on the inaugural player list for two VFL/AFL clubs – Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
and Adelaide Crows
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
. He began and finished his senior career with SANFL club West Adelaide
West Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
. All-Australian Team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
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.
SANFL career
Recruited from Renmark in West Adelaide's country zone, the talented ruckmanRuckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
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
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
.
Strong seasons in 1983, 1985 and 1986 resulted in his winning club best and fairest awards.
In 1991, having returned to South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
to play for the VFL/AFL team Adelaide Crows
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
, 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.
VFL/AFL Career
Recruited from West Adelaide in 1986 to play for the new VFLAustralian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
license in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, the Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
.
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
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, Mark "Chocco" Williams
Mark M. Williams
Mark "Choco" Williams is a former Australian rules footballer who coached the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League from 1999 to 2010...
, 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
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
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
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
. His first season was once again outstanding and he won the inaugural best and fairest award (now titled the Malcolm Blight Medal
Malcolm Blight Medal
The Malcolm Blight Medal is a post-season award given to the best and fairest player in the Adelaide Crows Football Club. The medal was named after former Adelaide Crows coach, Malcolm Blight and was first awarded in 1991.-Recipients:-Multiple Recipients:...
). However, by 1993 his form had tapered off from VFL/AFL standard and he was delisted at the end of that year.
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
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
clubs Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...
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
Sturt Football Club
Sturt Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League. The club is best known for its period of dominance from 1966–76 under legendary coach Jack Oatey, during which it revolutionised the style of play by emphasising teamwork and accurate ball...
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.
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.
Mickan holds degrees in both Teaching and Psychology.