Nigel Lappin
Encyclopedia
Nigel Lappin is a former professional Australian rules football
er.
Lappin was born in Corowa, New South Wales
, but grew up in Chiltern, Victoria
and was drafted to play for the Brisbane Bears
in the Australian Football League
in 1993, playing his first AFL game the following year. In 1997 he was a member of the inaugural Brisbane Lions
team following the Bears' merger with Fitzroy
.
A long, accurate kick, capable of running as a play maker throughout the whole match, he was recognised as a member of the group of players known as the "Fab Four", a group of highly skilled midfield players considered to be one of the major driving forces behind the Lions successive Australian Football League premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. An example of his courage was the 2003 Grand Final
win, in which he played the whole match with a broken rib.
Lappin represented Australia in International Rules in 2001.
In 2004 he achieved a personal milestone in winning his first Merrett-Murray Medal
. However his 2005 season ended prematurely when he broke his right ankle late in the season. Weeks into his comeback, the ankle was re-injured in a 2006 pre-season practice match, forcing him to miss the entire 2006 season.
Following the retirement of longtime captain
Michael Voss
at the end of 2006, Lappin was appointed co-captain of the club alongside Simon Black
, Luke Power
, Jonathan Brown, and Chris Johnson on 20 March 2007.
due to an Achilles tendon
problem, Nigel decided it was time to draw a close on his career. "I'm really disappointed this season hasn't worked out for me," Lappin said at a Gabba press conference. "Every footballer wants the fairytale ending. It's hard to walk away from something that's been a really big part of your life, but I've got a family that will care for me."
In October 2008, Lappin joined the Geelong Football Club
as an assistant coach.
Brisbane Bears/Lions
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.
Lappin was born in Corowa, New South Wales
Corowa, New South Wales
Corowa is a town in the state of New South Wales in Australia. It is on the bank of the Murray River, the border between New South Wales and Victoria, opposite the Victorian town of Wahgunyah. Corowa is the administrative centre of Corowa Shire...
, but grew up in Chiltern, Victoria
Chiltern, Victoria
Chiltern is a town in Victoria, Australia, located in the north east of the state between Wangaratta and Wodonga, in the Shire of Indigo. At the 2006 census, Chiltern had a population of 1063. The town is close to the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park...
and was drafted to play for 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...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
in 1993, playing his first AFL game the following year. In 1997 he was a member of the inaugural Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
team following the Bears' merger with Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
.
A long, accurate kick, capable of running as a play maker throughout the whole match, he was recognised as a member of the group of players known as the "Fab Four", a group of highly skilled midfield players considered to be one of the major driving forces behind the Lions successive Australian Football League premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003. An example of his courage was the 2003 Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
win, in which he played the whole match with a broken rib.
Lappin represented Australia in International Rules in 2001.
In 2004 he achieved a personal milestone in winning his first Merrett-Murray Medal
Merrett-Murray Medal
The Merrett–Murray Medal has been awarded annually since 1997, to the player adjudged the Brisbane Lions Club Champion over the immediately preceding AFL season...
. However his 2005 season ended prematurely when he broke his right ankle late in the season. Weeks into his comeback, the ankle was re-injured in a 2006 pre-season practice match, forcing him to miss the entire 2006 season.
Following the retirement of longtime captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
Michael Voss
Michael Voss
Michael Voss is the senior coach of the Brisbane Lions Australian Football League team and a former professional Australian rules footballer....
at the end of 2006, Lappin was appointed co-captain of the club alongside Simon Black
Simon Black
Simon Black is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League.Black is a midfielder with a reputation for hard work and skill...
, Luke Power
Luke Power
Luke Power is an Australian rules footballer. He is currently contracted to play for Greater Western Sydney. He was a part of the Brisbane Lions's 2001, 2002, and 2003 premierships. He is known for his effective use of the ball disposals, rare mistakes and his deadly accurate left foot. Many AFL...
, Jonathan Brown, and Chris Johnson on 20 March 2007.
Retirement
On the 19th of August 2008, Nigel Lappin announced his retirement from professional football. After only being able to play 4 games in the 2008 season2008 AFL season
-Round 1 :-Round 2:-Round 3 :-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6 :-Round 7:-AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match:-Round 8:...
due to an Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
problem, Nigel decided it was time to draw a close on his career. "I'm really disappointed this season hasn't worked out for me," Lappin said at a Gabba press conference. "Every footballer wants the fairytale ending. It's hard to walk away from something that's been a really big part of your life, but I've got a family that will care for me."
In October 2008, Lappin joined the Geelong Football Club
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
as an assistant coach.
Career highlights
Teal Cup- Victorian & All-Australian U15 Schoolboys 1991
- Victorian Country & All-Australian Teal Cup (U17) 1993
- Winner Chiltern Best & Fairest 1993
Brisbane Bears/Lions
- Best & Fairest 2004
- Victorian State of OriginState of OriginState of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
1996, 1997, 1999 - First Brisbane-based AFL player to win Victorian State of Origin Selection
- Member Bears First Finals Side 1995
- Member Lions First Finals Side 1997
- Ansett Cup Grand Final Side 2001
- Brisbane LionsBrisbane LionsThe Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
captain 2007 - Australian Asthma Sportsman of the Year 1998
- All-Australian 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
- International Rules 2001,
- Premiership Player 2001, 2002, 2003