Round 11 2023, celebrating 300 games at the Marble Range FC.

 

Q: When did you start playing grade football?

Colts – 1990 for MRFC U/10s at Port Lincoln High School

Seniors – 1999 for MRFC under Wally Lamont

 

Q: Have you been involved with any premierships? If yes, which ones?

Have been very fortunate A grade – 2000, 2006, 2007   B-Grade 2002, 2018, 2022  U/14 1995

 

Q: Have you played for any other club(s)? If yes, which one(s)?

Not officially, just a nine-a-side game for Rowan Miegels team in Berlin, Germany 2014

 

Q: Best player(s) you played with?

Been around a while… Buzz McDowall, Luke Growden, Darren Rule, Mike Kuchel, Megs Enright, Leroy Wheadon, Graeme Charlton, Troy Hull, Steven Thomson, Jarrod Doudle, Michael Sargent, Hayden Parker, Matt Parker

 

Q: Best player(s) you played against?

Grew up playing against (& did again recently) Graham Johncock, Richard Jones, Matt James, Chris Brooks, Joe Cragg-Sapsford, Matt Keatley, Andrew Jericho, Matt Goodwin, Harry Miller

 

Q: Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My Coaches – starting with Jack Bourke who taught us to kick on both feet, Andy Page no nonsense approach, Megs Enright skill development U/14s & faith in early senior days (coached me in first junior and senior premierships), Steven Thomson leadership & belief, Robert Proude (playing/coach mentor), Mark Cooper physio/encouragement, Don Edmonds keeping me out there Pip McFarlane & Joe Dufek hardworking & Club values, and last but not least Glyn Owen mentoring, self belief & a lot of Saturdays at football.

 

Q: Favourite playing position(s)?

Centre, Ruck rover, HF, HB and nowadays anywhere on the field!

 

Q: What is your most memorable game(s) as a player?

2000 my first senior A grade Premiership – from what bits i recall, very nervous

2006 A grade Premiership – after missing 04&05 with a torn ACL, to resume playing with my brother in law Steven Thomson (best Captain in my footy career), brother Todd, cousin Kade Dufek and a heap of my great footy mates (of which 16 had played colts at MRFC & 11 of them were under 21) with my father Glyn the Coach. Doesn’t get much better than that, 2007 wasn’t pretty special too!

2018 B grade Premiership – Player/coach with a great team on and off the field, finally triumphed over arch rivals Souths after falling short in 16 &17. Ironically did hammy in first 5 minutes.

2022 B grade Premiership – when you know times nearly up at age 40 with Sambo coaching, playing with Welly (in his 1st Premiership), Clunk, Levi, Hollywood, Landy, Brock and a heap of other footy mates young & old. On the same day nephew Zephyr Thomson & brother Todd winning premierships in U/12s & As grade respectively. A special day for the family and MRFC.

 

Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of footballers?

In no particular order – Success doesn’t come easy. Commit, attend every training possible and avoid excuses, learn to kick on both feet, one percenters, it’s a team game, give back to the game and your footy club by doing your bit at the club, be humble in triumph and gracious in defeat, respect the opposition and umpires, play hard but fair, and most of all just enjoy playing the game and remember that’s why we play it, for fun.

 

Q: Over the years, what non playing roles have you undertaken within the club?

On the management committee for few years in various roles social rep, vice president, chairman. B grade coach for 4 years, occasionally umpire juniors, Auskick assistant coach. Water boy for MRFC Women’s whilst my wife Sarah played along with nieces Gia &Billie and sister Carly.

Honoured to receive MRFC Life Membership a few years ago in the same year as my mum Pam.

 

Congratulations Chad!