Adelaide Crows dual premiership skipper Mark Bickley to coach Immanuel’s college footy team in 2021
Dual premiership captain Mark Bickley will take the reins of a college’s first XVIII footy team in 2021 as it looks to challenge the “big four” schools.
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He made history captaining Adelaide to dual AFL premierships two decades ago.
But now Crows great Mark Bickley will take the reins of a college football team in 2021.
The AFL life member has been appointe head coach of Immanuel College’s First XVIII side for its next Messenger Shield college football campaign.
Bickley takes over from former Norwood player Troy Clements.
He also joins other high-profile college football mentors in the competition, including eight-time Central District premiership player Matt Slade (PAC) and Magarey Medallist James Allan (Rostrevor).
Bickley got a taste of college football this season when he commentated The Advertiser’s live stream of the 97th Rostrevor v Sacred Heart intercol.
The 272 AFL-gamer and Hall of Fame member has ties with Immanuel as his children have attended the college.
Bickley said bidding goodbye to being a full-time host on FIVEaa drivetime sorts program gave him some time to accept a coaching role with Immanuel.
He said he was looking forward to returning to coaching, after being an assistant with the Crows in 2009 before a brief stint as Adelaide’s caretaker in 2011 following Neil Craig stepping down.
“Working 4pm-6pm every night and calling footy doesn’t leave you much time to do anything else in regards to coaching,” Bickley said.
“But when that changes, Immanuel gave me a call and asked if I’d be interested.
“One of the things I really loved about coaching is having a relationships with the players and helping them get better, particularly younger players.
“I like the thought of being able to do that with players at a school footy level.”
Immanuel ended its 2020 campaign winless and second-bottom.
Bickley said there was plenty of work to be done but believed Immanuel would be able to compete with the “big four” of Prince Alfred, St Peter’s, Rostrevor and Sacred Heart.
“It’s first and foremost about the boys enjoying themselves,” Bickley said.
“The couple of years that you play college footy, they should be memories that you look back on and that you really enjoyed.
“But at the same time, there’s also this feeling that you want to improve your footy and that age players are growing, they’re getting bigger and there’s lots of upside that can happen quite quickly.
“It’s about trying to steer them in the right direction, provide some structure for them and set them on a path to be the best they can be.
“We think there is some improvement to be had, but it’s a journey and we’re going to jump on board and see where it takes us.”
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