What was the first team you played for?
Wayback FC is where I started in u/10’s in 1982.
How many games have you played and who for?
Currently sitting on 97 Senior games for Waybacks which consists of 44 ‘A’ grade and 53 ‘B’ grade games. Along with 130+ games of American Football for Southern Districts “Oilers” Gridiron Club whilst living in Adelaide.
Have you tasted premiership success?
Twice as a player, an u/14’s flag with Waybacks and a Senior flag with the Oilers.
Did you play any representative football? When and where?
Played in u/17’s E.P against Whyalla at Wudinna Oval in 1991 I think it was.
Played in S.A. Gridiron State team against the Alice Springs team which had some players from the nearby US Military base playing for them. That was certainly an eye opener!
Best player(s) you played with.
Kim Waters and Stephen Orchard were both great players that I certainly looked up to. Had the fortune of playing senior footy with my father, Michael, in the last few years of his career and I still rank him up there also.
Best player(s) you played against.
Troy Hull from Marble Range and Brett Watherston from Bostons definitely stand out.
Who was the best and/or favourite coach you ever had?
Peter McKenzie was one of best coaches I ever had. He definitely wanted you to enjoy your football and push to improve your game. You also knew what the standard was by the way he played his footy and the intensity and passion he displayed.
What advice would you give the next generation of footballers?
Skill development is just as, if not, more important than athletic development. Learn to handball and kick with your non preferred side. Play the next grade up any chance you get, you’re better for the challenge.
What got you started as a sports trainer?
As a young footballer watching our trainer Bob Whittaker tape a sprained ankle of mine sparked some sort of interest in the how and why of taping for sport so you wouldn’t miss out on any games.
Playing gridiron in Adelaide we had trainers for my first couple of seasons then it was sort of fend for yourselves. Some of us knew bits and pieces so we were all learning on the fly. Not sure whether we learnt to tape to keep us playing as much as we could or just so we could walk normally the next day. When I returned to Lincoln late in 2009 I would run water for the senior sides. Not long after 2013 I was asked to help out a little with some taping and watching the field. Rest is history.
What has been your involvement as a sports trainer at junior/ senior representative level?
Lincoln City u/15 Port Adelaide/Norwood Cup and u/17 Kinlough Cup involvement has mainly been due to my sons playing in them at the time along with one two other years thrown in there. At a senior level there has been Mortlock Shields with Lincoln City also. Have also had the privilege to do a couple of years with the E.P side at Country Champs for the Men’s and Women’s sides.
Who was/is the best sports trainer(s) you have worked with?
Everyone that I’ve worked with has been great. Ash Franklin has been kind enough to share his knowledge and experience working together over the last decade. Roy Milligan has always been willing to share insights and expertise also on this journey.
Which is the most memorable game you have been involved in?
Wayback A grade grand final win in 2017.
One of the perks of being a trainer is being front row watching both sons make their A grade debut and building their own history with the club.
What advice would you give to someone contemplating being a sports trainer?
Go ahead and do it! May seem daunting at first but, as the saying goes, many hands make light work. We get a chance to meet a lot people within the club, have a few laughs and we have the best seats in the house every Saturday!!
Are you still involved in football? If YES, in what capacity?
Yes, still definitely involved. Over the last few years the Saturday routine usually involves getting to the club around 6:30am to load up the gear for the day. Home games at Centenary I like to get there and have everything open and set up by 7:30am when the young u/10’s turn up. Thankfully the younger grades don’t need too much attention other than the odd thumb or finger tape, maybe an ankle or two. Allows me to get a coffee and a toastie in as brekky, watch the nephews play in their games here and there. Things start to ramp up once the 14’s begin to roll in, before you know it the A grade are running out and once they’re done and attended to its pack everything up, take back to club and unpack again before heading in for a feed and a few Guinness’s somewhere between 6-6:30pm.
