1999 – (not quite) All Australian SSA Team – Some Big Names, Some Notable Absences

ssa aa team 1999

An article appeared in the media earlier this week, asking whether 2015 would be Luke Hodge’s last year.

I found this from 1999, taken at School Sports Australia footy carnival.

1999 doesn’t seem that long ago. Here he is lined up with two other alumni of the famed 2001 AFL draft, Luke Ball and Nick dal Santo. There are others in this photo who were also in that intake.

This was a carnival of 15 year olds (Hodge was born in 1984), an awkward age where bodies are all over the place maturity wise, so it’s not surprising that many of these names were new to me.

Lachlan Longmire – any relation? Brent Holgate – is he now a ministerial adviser? Which one of these guys is John Coleman’s grandson?

What I really wanted to know is where are the Croweaters, Sandgropers or Apple Islanders? Were they scared off?

I’ve found the results here

The combatants were Vic Country, Vic Metro, Qld, NSW, ACT, NT in those far off times. The two Vic teams dominated, the Metro side losing only to the undefeated Country combine.

All states and territories are now represented in the SSA footy competition and have been for a few years now.

Some of the lads pictured have entered and departed senior AFL ranks since that photo, others have their own stories to tell. (You may be able to assist, if so, please comment below).

About Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt

Saw my first SANFL game in 1967 - Dogs v Peckers. Have only ever seen the Dogs win 1 final in the flesh (1972 1st Semi) Mediocre forward pocket for the AUFC Blacks (1982-89) Life member - Ormond Netball Club -That's me on the right

Comments

  1. Dave Brown says

    A cricketer in there for good measure too!

  2. Lachlan Longmire is a cousin of John “Horse” Longmire. He played some VFL footy for both Port Melbourne & Northern Bullants years ago, before heading bush.

  3. Phillip Dimitriadis says

    So much talent there Swish,
    If you’d looked at the AFL draftees in mid 2002, Mark McGough seemed most likely to succeed after his epic ANZAC DAY effort. Great pic.

  4. cowshedend says

    Yep Swish, Chris Goullet is indeed John Colemans’ grandson, was an Essendon Grammar boy. Nice kid who grew very early on then stayed the same height.
    Played senior 1sts footy at EGS when in year 8.

  5. Skip of Skipton says

    I remember Nick Geischen from when I umpired in the Geelong YMCA little league circa1996, when The Geisch was an assistant at the Cats. Another of those who are fully formed at 14 or 15. I think he’s in the player manager game now.

  6. Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt says

    Thanks all, appreciate your comments.

    I’m (perhaps overly) intrigued with what happens to mind, body and circumstance between the late junior ages and the big time. And during the big time as well.

    Possibly Blizzard faced a choice some time soon after this and ended up with cricket.

    I haven’t done much more stalking, whoops, research, so it would be interesting if some further tales came to light.

  7. craig dodson says

    Jeremey Rowe was from Wagga and played for a few local clubs (Tigers, Mangoplah) and his dad was a local coach.. I think he spent some time in the Sanfl as well.. Injuries were not kind to him

  8. Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt says
  9. Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt says

    Luke Ball and his father Ray both very well received at today’s lunch

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