Sandringham skipper Brede Seccull joins Old Haileybury in VAFA
After a tremendous career in state league football – he won three best and fairests and was in VFL and SANFL teams of the year – Brede Seccull is going back to his ‘family’ club.
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Sandringham VFL captain Brede Seccull is returning to the club he regards as “family’’.
He’s returning to Old Haileybury in the VAFA.
Seccull, soon to turn 27, confirmed this morning that he was stepping away from the VFL, which is being revamped next year to take in NEAFL clubs.
He said his priorities were moving towards his career and supporting his family (he and his partner, Charlene Keele, are expecting a child in March).
Seccull also said proposed VFL list requirements were a factor in his decision to move on.
He said the changes – all teams must have a certain number of players under the age of 22 – could dilute the standard and stature of the competition.
“If it’s anything less than the absolute best available to play in, I don’t really want to play in it,’’ Seccull said.
“Having played in South Australia, where you see players get up to 150 games and win premierships and Magarey Medals and best and fairests, that’s something to be really proud of … and I think the VFL has become hostage to the AFL and it’s now turning into a feeder comp, sort of Under 23s.
“I think the VFL is already falling behind the SANFL and the WAFL, and now they’re going to be further behind.’’
Seccull played more than 100 state league games after starting in the VFL with Collingwood in 2012. He crossed to South Adelaide in 2013 and became a prominent midfielder in the SANFL, sharing his club’s best and fairest in 2016 with two-time Magarey Medal champion Joel Cross.
Returning to Victoria, Seccull joined Sandy ahead of 2018 and won their best and fairest. As captain of the Zebras he tied with Brandon White for the award in 2019.
“I was questioned at times if I was good enough to play state league footy,’’ he said.
“I’m proud of what I achieved … played in finals, teams of the year in the SANFL and VFL, best and fairests … I would have liked a flag but overall I’m pretty proud.’’
Seccull said his friends liked to tease him about his best and fairests, putting him down for only two since he won one outright and shared two.
Before his tie with Cross, South Adelaide had never had dual winners. It was also a first at Sandy when Seccull and White could not be split.
The right-footer first came to notice in 2011, playing in Dale Tapping’s Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup premiership team.
Seccull had listed Old Haileybury as his home club — he made his senior debut for it in 2012 — and will play there next year.
He has Superman-strong ties to the club. His brothers Rayner and Durras play at OH; his father, Darren, was a premiership captain and coached the club; and his uncle Mark is a legendary Old Haileybury and VAFA ruckman.
“It’s my family club,’’ he said.
“I’ve got family there, all my school mates are there.’’
Seccull said OH, coached by former Demon Daniel Ward, had great potential and he was determined to help it back to Premier ranks.
“I think that’s the next chapter of my footy career, bringing my home club back up to A grade,’’ he said.
“That’s my goal.’’