What are you doing with yourself these days?
I’m currently in the education industry working with kids who get kicked out of mainstream high school. It’s a really tough job.
Basically, kids come to our school - Notre Dame Catholic College - and we try and put them back on the right track so they can return to mainstream high school.
It’s rewarding, but I just can’t believe how much it’s changed in terms of numbers over the past five years. The number of kids being sent to our school seems to have increased a fair bit which is a bit of a concern. I’ve seen a change over the years and I see it getting worse.
Most of our students come here after showing signs of bad behaviour in their other schools. And in some cases, it’s not entirely their fault. It probably has a lot to do with their family upbringing and the fact they come from a disadvantaged background.
A lot of people think that most of our kids are Indigenous - but I probably only deal with about 10% Aboriginal kids. The other 90% are non-Aboriginal.
If I can change one kid’s life, then I’ll be happy with that. I obviously can’t change the world, but if I can save at least one person then that’s good enough for me.
I also notice you’re still involved with the AFL in the media?
Yeah, I’m working with NIRS - the National Indigenous Radio Service - and I call games mostly in Melbourne, but occasionally interstate as well.
I’m also part of a television show called the Marngrook Footy Show with guys like Chris Johnson and Ronnie Burns. I film that in Melbourne every Thursday.
I live in Shepparton, so I drive over 800km per week. And I’ve been doing it for 4-5 years. But I love every minute of it and wouldn’t change a thing.
NB: The Marngrook Footy Show is broadcast LIVE on ABC2 (Digital Channel 22) each Thursday night from 7:30pm
You spent a few seasons with the Bears in the mid-1990s. What do you remember from your time at the Club?
Probably the fondest memory of my playing days was going to Brisbane and playing with guys like Michael McLean, Darryl White and Fabian Francis when I first arrived at the Club. To be able to play with those Indigenous boys was just brilliant.
I also arrived at the Bears at around the same time as Chris Scott, Justin Leppitsch, Jason Akermanis and those guys who went on to become superstars. A lot of those guys were still only young when I got there, and I’d to think that I played a bit of a role in helping develop those young kids in terms of their football.
And you were fortunate to taste some success with the Bears?
Yeah. When I went to Brisbane, I played two years of Finals.
I guess I was pretty lucky that I was there when they were winning a lot of games and playing Finals. It was an exciting time.
Do you still catch up with any of your former team-mates?
Yeah. Obviously whenever I head back up to Brisbane I catch up with a few of the boys and seem to bump into them here and there.
It’s always good to see them.
The Brisbane Lions are currently in the process of updating their database of past players and coaches. If you played a senior match with Fitzroy, the Bears or the Brisbane Lions (or know someone that has) and haven’t remained in contact with the Club, please email your phone and address details to melbourne@lions.com.au so that we can keep you in touch with any future events with past players.
