Sandy Bay's Michael Elliott was a renowned goalsneak; some say he was the most elusive TFL player they could remember. "Magical Mick" as he soon became known, was a superb reader of the play. He had the uncanny
knack of being in the right place at the right time; usually right in front of goal.
Elliott was a product of the Sandy Bay underage and graduated through the juniors, to make his senior debut in 1969. That year the Seagulls bowed out by just one point in the first semi final. In 1970 they edged closer,
this time going out in the preliminary final. But the following year, 1971, told a different story. This finals series, gave Elliott his first premiership success and fondly remains as one of his greatest career highlights. Sandy Bay played in four finals that year,
surviving two preliminary final appearances against New Norfolk after the first game was drawn. Then, as underdogs, they lead all day in the Grand Final to defeat raging hot favourites, Clarence, by 9 points.
Elliott was a rare commodity. Virtually all his career, which spanned 13 seasons, was spent either at half forward or in a forward pocket. In these roles he soon became a match winner and regularly booted big bags of
goals alongside his much taller team mates.
1972 saw the Seagulls eclipse New Norfolk to again take the flag. A year later they were undefeated, and were heading toward 21 straight for the season, when Hobart put a spanner in the works, taking the Grand Final by 20
points. In 1976, under coach Paul Sproule, Sandy Bay again took the flag. This effort was to be the first of three in a row for the club. A truly remarkable feat with the goal kicking talents of Elliott well to the fore. Over this period he was always among the league's
leading goalkickers who included Glenorchy's Peter Hudson. More remarkable was the 1978 season which was truly magic. Elliott, as a crumbing half forward, booted 123 goals and was named "Cascade Footballer of the Year." Another flag in 1979 and two more
seasons with the Seagulls saw Elliott retire in 1981. He stayed with the club however, and coached the reserves in 82 & 83 before spending five years on the committee.
Michael Elliott amassed over 250 games with the Seagulls and played in 5 premiership teams.
On his playing days Elliott recalled the stars that made Sandy Bay the powerhouse of the 70's. They included Des James,
Roger Steele, Brent Palfreyman, Graeme
Mackey, Noel Leary, Bruce Greenhill, Chris Saunders - "I
could talk about them for hours" he laughed "We had some great teams and some great times." Of the opposition "Well, none were easy; North Hobart's Ron Mawbey, Kevin Palmer from Clarence and Robbie Crane from New Norfolk never gave me much latitude."
On today's football he says "The statewide series is for the betterment of the competition but the crowds are disappointing. An AFL side may help solve the problems but can we afford it? I feel sorry for the players;
the recognition is not there like when we played."
He followed the Southern Cats and is a member of the Sandy Bay Seahawks.
He now follows SFL premier League side Kingston. Lately golf has been taking up a fair bit of his time and he doesn't get to as many games as he would like.
Horse racing claims him twice a year - he never misses the Hobart & Launceston Cups.
Work wise, Michael Elliott is State Sales Manager for Claude Neon Signs and a recent hip replacement, a legacy from his footy days, seems to have made him more slippery than ever.
Skill, ability to read the play, good goal sense, just plain luck or was it magic?
You name it Mick Elliott had it!
"THEY" all knew why he was so good - but "THEY" could not stop him.
Sandy Bay's Mick Elliott made goalkicking look easy.
This week when we tried to catch up with him he was taking a well earned rest in sunny Queensland; seems like Sandy Bay's "Magical" Mick Elliott is ALWAYS in the right place at the right time.
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Michael Elliott - A Tasmanian Football Legend
