Written by David Alderuccio, regional operations manager for AFL Central Murray
In July 2016 I had the opportunity to do work experience at the Geelong Football Club. For a country boy, walking down the corridors of Simmonds Stadium, nodding my head at and greeting the likes of Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie and Tom Hawkins left me weak at the knees; as a boy it was a dream to one day play amongst the big guns of the AFL. But as we all know, some players in the Mallee don’t have the height and speed of Josh Jenkins, the hardness and long kicking of Brett Guerra or the ability to play on some of the best players like John Sharrock. But playing is not the only avenue for a career path in the AFL.
Wherever football is played, it’s those on the field who tend to get all the accolades and the attention of the fans. But, originating from here in the Mallee region, there are three country boys who are now dominating at the highest level – and it’s not on the turf. These three men all come from small country towns. Now they rub shoulders with the best of the best in the AFL. It is their humility that I admire the most. They each have a very keen sense of where they have come from and those they have walked past on the streets of Manangatang and Swan Hill. I write of Adam McNicol, Tom Dullard and Michael Willson.
Adam McNicol (Media Communications)
I had the pleasure of spending my time with Adam McNicol at the Geelong v Sydney game at Simmonds Stadium. From high up in the media room, Adam works with the Geelong Football Club in their Media and Communications team. He floats around the players, coaches and the league’s biggest media personalities like it is nothing overly special, unlike myself who was struggling to contain my overly-excited perspiration. The media team’s night at the footy is a little different to what we experience as a spectator. It’s busy. A constant feeding of updates to online audiences, commentating on social media, dragging photos and uploading pre and post-match player interviews. There was so much to take in, but I loved watching every second of it. And their night doesn’t end with the final siren. Work carries on into the night, when the stadium lights have shut down.
Adam’s face pops up when viewing Geelong Football Club media footage that streams on the club’s website and Facebook page. Part of his role is also CATS Media. Working with Win TV, Channel 10, SEN and the AFL, Adam has had the privilege of working with some of the greats of our game. As a side profession, he has written play biographies for the likes of the Daniher brothers, Jonathan Brown, Brendan Fevola and David Schwarz. Adam is currently in the final stages of completing the Biography of ex-Geelong player and current GWS Giants player, Steven Johnson.
Adam is a very well respected bloke in the industry and you often see him on AFL online shows as well as at a number of Geelong functions.
Above all else, Adam loves football and he has never forgotten the important it plays in regional and rural communities. Born and bred in Manangatang, he says he will always call it home. Growing up on a rural farm, Adam told his mum that one day he would be in the AFL. And guess what, he wasn’t wrong. Adam played all his junior football for Manangatang and even travelled home during his University days to play football in the seconds. Adam played in the 1996 Reserves Grand Final.
You can hear the entire interview with Adam McNicol, available through an AFL Central Murray Media Pod
Michael Willson (Media Photography)
If I asked you who took this photo, how many would know the person behind it? This photo is highly regarded in the AFL. It reflects the tough times of being an AFL footballer and the battles both on and off field. This photo was taken by local Michael Willson. A former Lake Boga FNC player, we all remember Michael as a dashing half back flank in the 2003 drought-breaking premiership. Michael has mixed his love of photography and his love for the AFL and made a career out of taking photos. Michael is regarded as the Number 1 photographer in the AFL. And, clubs wait for Michael to take that perfect shot. I had the opportunity to meet Michael at the Geelong v Sydney game to have a chat about his career.
Michael thanks for giving some time to AFL Central Murray. can you tell me a bit about where it all started?
I attended St Mary’s Primary School Swan Hill 1983-1988 and then like most kids went to MacKillop College Swan Hill 1989-1994. After VCE I went and done a Diploma of Visual Art (Design) Sunraysia Institute of Tafe 1995. After a year I went and completed my Bachelor of Visual Arts (Design) La Trobe University Bendigo 1996-1998.
So after you completed your studies, what did you do employment-wise and what are you currently doing at the moment?
I was a Graphic Designer between 1998-2007 and I’m now currently working for the AFL as an AFL Media Photographer. I start with the AFL in 2007.
Michael, you get the best seat in the house watching all the AFL action from the boundary line. What is it like to work in the Sports and AFL industry?
It’s a very exciting, fast-paced, competitive yet rewarding industry. I have always loved football, right from when I was a boy, growing up idolising local and VFL players, to playing in the Lake Boga Premiership in 2003, football has always been a massive part of my life. I’m very lucky in that I get to combine my passion for football and photography and call it my job. Yes, there’s a lot of hard work involved (working weekends for 8 months of the year and unsociable hours), but the hard work is all worth it when you see your photos being used on the cover of the AFL Record, in the newspaper, on the homepage of AFL.com.au, or being used in the AFL and clubs’ marketing campaigns.
Career highlights so far?
In 2014 and 2015 I was awarded the Australian Football Media Association Awards for Photo of the Year, which is a great achievement. I was a finalist in the Melbourne Press Club Quill Photography Awards in 2015 and the biggest experience was being asked by Hawthorn FC to photograph their 2014 and 2015 behind-the-scenes Grand Final weeks. That was once in a lifetime opportunity that not many people get to see.
What would be your advise to anyone looking at a career in media photography?
I think any boy or girl from the country with a real love for football can pursue a career in the AFL media industry. It is a very competitive industry, but if you have a good attitude, are prepared to work hard and have a real passion for the game, you can succeed. You need to find the right niche within the industry for you. I was always creative and loved photography which is why I worked hard to pursue the career I have now.
Who has been the biggest influences in your life so far?
My parents Carmel and Trevor. Supported me in everything I did growing up, be it sport, school or my hobbies they were always there. Picked me up from the knockbacks I had and are very proud of what I have achieved. I often come home to Swan Hill to see them.
Michael, did you ever believe as a youngster that you would find yourself where you are?
I wouldn’t have thought in my wildest dreams I would end up working full time for the AFL as a photographer. But I guess it just goes to show that if you have the passion, attitude and are prepared to work hard you can do whatever you set out to achieve in life.
Michael, thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you and all the best for the future. A lot of people from the Mallee will now be keeping a close eye on photos taken for the AFL to see if your name is attached. Congratulations on a wonderful career so far.
Check out all the latest photos and follow Michael Willson on Instagram, @michaelcwillsoncast. There is a link on our Facebook page.
Tom Dullard (Fox Sports)
The name Dullard is synonymous in Swan Hill with a well-known and respected family. Add to the name a cheeky grin and being an all-round good bloke and you have Tom, the youngest of the tribe with his twin sister Monique. He’s a modest bloke and not one to flaunt his achievements. It’s fair to say, at a young age he has accomplished quite a bit – above all else, an integrity that is well admire. Tom will do anything for anyone. Here’s what he had to say:
Tommy, thanks for the interview, tell us a bit about your educational history.
I finished my VCE at MacKillop College in Swan Hill where I was school captain before moving to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Journalism at RMIT University. Throughout Uni I tried to get the most out of my studies, with a scholarship to South Korea where I worked on a breakfast radio show for 5 weeks. I also travelled to Russia (Kazan) for five weeks as a part of a Sports Journalism course, where I was a part of the second largest multi sports event in the world (The 2013 Summer Universiade).
You’re currently working in Melbourne. What are you currently up to and what have you done in the past?
I worked for the Melbourne Stars (Twenty20 Big Bash competition) Media team for three years in various roles, including Media Manager of the 2014-15 season. I was an Assistant Producer at Fox Footy in Melbourne on nightly AFL show, AFL360 before landing a full-time Producer role. I now produce Open Mike with Mike Sheahan, League Teams (as hosted by Dermott Brereton), Super Saturday (with rolling hosts, including Eddie McGuire and Sandy Roberts) and was also given the great opportunity to produce AFL360 for a week in the 2016 season and have produced the Under-18 National Championships on Fox Footy as well as the Women’s Exhibition matches in 2016. I have also produced NBL matches for Fox Sports in 2015.
What is it you love about working in the sports industry?
I love sports and journalism and all of the energy, excitement and unknown that goes with live sport. I also have a passion for footy history stories as well as current day footy news. The adrenaline and team work that comes with producing live TV is unreal. I consider myself very lucky to be able to come to work and follow footy and sport as a job. I’m the first to admit that most of my friends and family and ex-team mates probably know more about the game, I’m just the lucky one who gets to follow it most ddays (and trying to always develop and learn from everyone around me).
I know you don’t like to brag Tom, but what are some of the highlights from your career so far?
I received the AFL Media Association’s Clinton Grybas Rising Star Award at the end of 2015. I have also recently been names a finalist in the Rising Star Category in the Australian Subscription TV Awards. Professionally, I produced an Open Mike Special on the 20 Year Anniversary of EJ Whitten’s death in 2015 which was a project that I was really proud of.
You’re a country boy – do you have any advice for any young people interested in a career in the sports industry?
My main piece of advice would be to work hard. It has become more prevalent over the past 12 months for me, that people around you will appreciate and reward hard work. Coming from a small country town, it is important to be open to all opportunities that come your way and not to be afraid of trying new things. That way it gives us starting with less contacts to meet new people and make the very so important connections (while hopefully making good impressions along the way). And makes sure you enjoy it along the way.
Tom, you would have had some guidance along the way. Who have they been?
Mum and Dad (Vin and Kerry Dullard) are the most amazing and inspirational people in my life. Together with my siblings, they have always given me important love, support and encouragement which has been the perfect grounding for a role in sports media and tv production in Melbourne. Since I have been in Melbourne, Gerard Whateley has been a great mentor for me – and is still an important influence. More recently, working with Mike Sheehan and talking to him every day continues to be great for my development in football history and sports jounalism.
You’re not shy Tom, but did you expect to achieve so much so far?
I never anticipated to be working with so many Australian sporting legends and learning from some of the best sports journalists and TV presenters in the country. Growing up around the Swan Hill Football Netball Club I always loved footy and idolised the senior players. I used to get nervous around the likes of Callan Beasy (who is now a great mate) when he was playing for Carlton, so if I look back to those days I definitely still consider myself very lucky to have landed in my role.
Tom Dullard, thank you for allowing AFL Central Murray to chat and we wish you all the best for the future.
