Scott Whitmore
Years ago
Michael Parsons a sad loss.
Mike lost his battle with a brain tumor todayo one of the toughest guys to play the game here in Adelaide and Australia, one of the first to dominate in both football and basketball. Taught me plenty when I was trying to understand this game and what playing hard with no excuses was all about.
The big fella will be sadly missed by all.
below is an article of the North Adelaide Football Club website.
The North Adelaide Football Club is shocked and greatly saddened by the loss of one of its Premiership heroes in Michael Parsons. Michael passed away in hospital on 24 th April, 2009 {at approximately 7:00 am}, his sad passing caused by a brain tumour.
Born on 3 October 1960, Michael played some football as a child but chose to continue with a very promising basketball career. He was unlucky to miss a spot in the Australian team in the 1980 Olympic Games but by 1983 was discussing returning to football with some mates. The conversation was overheard by North Adelaide senior coach, Michael Nunan, and Nunan immediately approached Parsons to entice him to try out with North. He was an immediate success, playing only one reserves game before being elevated to the league team.
A giant of a man at 203 cm, Parsons partnered Michael Redden in ruck for North and the two formed a most formidable combination. They were a crucial part of North's revival through the mid-1980s, playing in three grand finals from 1985 to 1987. Parsons' effort in North Adelaide's glorious 1987 premiership where he played tough uncompromising football and kicked six goals was rewarded with the Jack Oatey medal for the best player on the ground.
So dominant was he in that game that he was recruited by the Sydney Swans and played in the AFL in 1988, 1989 and part of 1990 before returning to North Adelaide part way through the 1990 season. He teamed with Redden again in North's 1991 premiership team before retiring at the end of the 1992 season. He played 158 games for North Adelaide and kicked 196 goals in his illustrious career.
Parsons has lived and worked in Sydney for the last few years but returned to Adelaide in August 2007 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1987 premiership with his teammates. He was interviewed at the celebration dinner and it was very clear that he held vivid and fond memories of that triumph. Equally clear was the enormous respect in which he was held by his teammates and the hundreds of members and supporters who gathered to honour the team that night.
Michael will be sadly missed by his many friends and colleagues at the North Adelaide Football Club. The Club extends its sincere condolences to his family.
The Club salutes one of its great champions........Vale Michael Parsons.
