napsyd
9 Oct 2003, 18:14
Not sure if everyone missed this or I just can't find the thread, but here's the article from the Tiser.
Good onya Bicks! Another achievement to add to the looooooong list you've chalked up over your career. And one more chance for us all to watch the great man in full flight.
BICKLEY'S FINAL FLING
By Chief Football Writer MICHELANGELO RUCCI
08oct03
RETIRED Adelaide midfielder Mark Bickley yesterday put an extraordinary footnote to his distinguished AFL career by claiming a sunset call-up to the Australian team to play Ireland in the International Rules series this month.
"Most people retire from the international game before they hang up the boots for their club," noted 34-year-old Bickley, who three weeks ago ended his club-record 272 AFL-game career with Adelaide.
Bickley will replicate former Carlton captain Craig Bradley's finish to top-line football. Bradley, Australian football's longest-serving league player, last year played his last game with Australia in Ireland before calling an end to club duty.
Bickley, who broke his leg in the last minute of Australia's win against Ireland in Dublin last year, is the only Crow in the 26-man Australian squad to play the Irish Gaelic footballers in two Tests in Perth and at the MCG later this month.
Port Adelaide also will have only one representative – fast midfielder Peter Burgoyne whose pace made him an instant selection for the national squad.
None of Adelaide or Port's All-Australians – Mark Ricciuto, Warren Tredrea and Gavin Wanganeen – are part of the Australian squad to be led by Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford.
Ricciuto is recovering from surgery to both ankles, Tredrea will be in London studying the Arsenal Football Club and Wanganeen is recovering from the shoulder injury suffered in the semi-final against Essendon.
Bickley, despite being retired, immediately accepted his invitation to join the young squad which is said to need his 14-season experience.
"It's an opportunity too good to miss," said Bickley, who first played for Australia last year. "To play for your country in front of your home crowd is not to be passed up, even when you are retired.
"I enjoy it – and the chance to meet a few more guys I've played against in AFL football but have not come to know off the field.
"And it is a good thing I've kept in shape by running a bit," added Bickley, who will return to the Adelaide Football Club now to step up his training with Crows fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt.
Bickley had no hesitation in reclaiming his Australian jumper despite the difficulties he endured last year when complications set in after breaking his leg at the end of the Second Test at Croke Park in Dublin.
"I never missed a (AFL) game this year, so the consequences of a broken leg while playing for your country wasn't a burden at all," said Bickley, whose form held – as indicated by his fourth placing in the Adelaide club champion count won by Ricciuto.
Bickley will play as a defender for Australia, which has not won a home series against the Irish since the new format for the International Rules was introduced in 1999. Australia's two wins have been in Ireland in 2000 and last year.
"That's what makes this series a huge challenge – a challenge I absolutely want to be part of," Bickley said.
After the series, the dual premiership captain has committed himself to not thinking of a return to football for at least 12 months.
Good onya Bicks! Another achievement to add to the looooooong list you've chalked up over your career. And one more chance for us all to watch the great man in full flight.
BICKLEY'S FINAL FLING
By Chief Football Writer MICHELANGELO RUCCI
08oct03
RETIRED Adelaide midfielder Mark Bickley yesterday put an extraordinary footnote to his distinguished AFL career by claiming a sunset call-up to the Australian team to play Ireland in the International Rules series this month.
"Most people retire from the international game before they hang up the boots for their club," noted 34-year-old Bickley, who three weeks ago ended his club-record 272 AFL-game career with Adelaide.
Bickley will replicate former Carlton captain Craig Bradley's finish to top-line football. Bradley, Australian football's longest-serving league player, last year played his last game with Australia in Ireland before calling an end to club duty.
Bickley, who broke his leg in the last minute of Australia's win against Ireland in Dublin last year, is the only Crow in the 26-man Australian squad to play the Irish Gaelic footballers in two Tests in Perth and at the MCG later this month.
Port Adelaide also will have only one representative – fast midfielder Peter Burgoyne whose pace made him an instant selection for the national squad.
None of Adelaide or Port's All-Australians – Mark Ricciuto, Warren Tredrea and Gavin Wanganeen – are part of the Australian squad to be led by Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford.
Ricciuto is recovering from surgery to both ankles, Tredrea will be in London studying the Arsenal Football Club and Wanganeen is recovering from the shoulder injury suffered in the semi-final against Essendon.
Bickley, despite being retired, immediately accepted his invitation to join the young squad which is said to need his 14-season experience.
"It's an opportunity too good to miss," said Bickley, who first played for Australia last year. "To play for your country in front of your home crowd is not to be passed up, even when you are retired.
"I enjoy it – and the chance to meet a few more guys I've played against in AFL football but have not come to know off the field.
"And it is a good thing I've kept in shape by running a bit," added Bickley, who will return to the Adelaide Football Club now to step up his training with Crows fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt.
Bickley had no hesitation in reclaiming his Australian jumper despite the difficulties he endured last year when complications set in after breaking his leg at the end of the Second Test at Croke Park in Dublin.
"I never missed a (AFL) game this year, so the consequences of a broken leg while playing for your country wasn't a burden at all," said Bickley, whose form held – as indicated by his fourth placing in the Adelaide club champion count won by Ricciuto.
Bickley will play as a defender for Australia, which has not won a home series against the Irish since the new format for the International Rules was introduced in 1999. Australia's two wins have been in Ireland in 2000 and last year.
"That's what makes this series a huge challenge – a challenge I absolutely want to be part of," Bickley said.
After the series, the dual premiership captain has committed himself to not thinking of a return to football for at least 12 months.