Today we remember Sean Wight who passed away on this day 11 years ago. A great footballer and, along with Jimmy, one of the success stories of the Irish experiment. 

Sean Wight (15 March 1964 – 30 June 2011) 

Sean is a member of the Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame and was named as one of the 150 Heroes of the club during the club's 150th celebrations.

The 185 cm tall, 85 kg Wight played for the Melbourne Football Club between 1985 and 1995, playing 150 games and scoring 63 goals. He is not only the first player to be associated with the Irish experiment, but also considered to be one of its most successful products.

Wight was scouted by the Melbourne Football Club's Ron Barassi and Barry Richardson on a visit to Ireland in 1982 as having the potential to play Australian rules football.

Before playing Australian rules, he played Gaelic football with the Kerry minor (Under-18) team which reached the final of the 1982 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship and with the Listowel Emmets club - the same club as Tadhg Kennelly.

Wight was brought to Australia in 1983. He was part of an Under 19 VFL premiership side just weeks after his arrival from Ireland in 1983 and was widely hailed for his rapid conversion, though others who joined him from Ireland had much less success.

Wight made his VFL debut in 1985 and became a regular backline player, recognisable with his trademark moustache.

Wight played in two Demons night premiership winning sides, in 1987 and 1989.

He began to develop a reputation as a dour defender, with an exceptional ability to not only spoil opponents marking attempts, but take high marks himself.

Wight, along with fellow recruit Jim Stynes was a member of Melbourne's 1988 VFL Grand Final team which lost to Hawthorn.

Retiring in 1995, Wight's career was somewhat overshadowed by Stynes, whose career in the midfield earned more accolades and media attention.

Wight died on 30 June 2011 after a short battle with lung cancer. 

From Wikipedia 

One of my all time favorites - incredible athleticism and a ton of courage  

He will forever be remembered as one of the greats of our club.

A tough , skilled footballer.

And while he was recruited in Ireland , I think he was a Scotsman.

Where has the time gone, a brilliant player.

 

 

People forget that in 1987, he was the Irish recruit everyone spoke of on the front and back of every paper and on every news bulletin, especially in the late rounds and finals where he was unbelievable. Injuries, especially knee injuries stopped us seeing his best for much of thereafter, but was super brave and a super athlete. Champion player, even better person... sadly missed.

 

 

41 minutes ago, Sydee said:

One of my all time favorites - incredible athleticism and a ton of courage  

Courageous!!! That's for sure.

I remember him repeatedly standing "in the hole" with Lockett and a pack coming flat out, knees in the back, to "make him pay".

Very skilled, great mark for his size , and an accurate passer, and shot for goal.

Remember that inspiring 50m. kick off the ground into the forward line, in that semi final v the Swans in 1987?

I played golf with him a couple of times, and he hit it like a pro.

https://kerrysportshub.ie/2020/03/21/sean-wright-the-forgotten-kerry-hero/

Was a very good forward too, when needed. 
one of the most courageous players to wear the MFC Jumper 

He often used Soccer Goalkeeping tactics to great effect defending in the goal square 

MFC Legend 

Great player and person. 

Time passes very quickly. 

Haggis was my favourite player for obvious reasons. Born and raised in Glasgow before the family moved to Co. Kerry. Knowing him to be a Celtic supporter I was always sure to keep him updated on how Rangers march to 9 titles in a row was going whenever we crossed paths at the Junction Oval. 

Simply the most courageous player I ever saw. Played for us, for our Club, with unbelievable passion and intensity. In the three finals of 1987 he was immense.  His battle with Brereton in the prelim at VFL Park was unforgettable. Brings a tear to think that is 35 years ago  and that he’s gone. 

32 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Haggis was my favourite player for obvious reasons. Born and raised in Glasgow before the family moved to Co. Kerry. Knowing him to be a Celtic supporter I was always sure to keep him updated on how Rangers march to 9 titles in a row was going whenever we crossed paths at the Junction Oval. 

Well, why isn't he listed in your profile - like some others?? 😍😉

4 minutes ago, London Demon said:

Simply the most courageous player I ever saw. Played for us, for our Club, with unbelievable passion and intensity. In the three finals of 1987 he was immense.  His battle with Brereton in the prelim at VFL Park was unforgettable. Brings a tear to think that is 35 years ago  and that he’s gone. 

Summed it up perfectly. Courage, passion, intensity. 

Certainly one of the most courageous Demons to pull on the guernsey. 

Also very gifted, a natural sportsman. 

Tragic he went so young. 

Bastards, made me cry.  

Now there’s a fella who could pull off a mo. 

34 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

Well, why isn't he listed in your profile - like some others?? 😍😉

Ha! Fair point EO. I only have former Rangers players in my profile I think. 

FYI Andy Goram, our goalkeeper for many of those 9-in-a-row seasons has stage four throat cancer and is now in a hospice with just weeks to live. As a former keeper myself, given a choice between him and Peter Schmeichel as the best ever I'd pick the Flying Pig every day of the week. 

One of my favourites. Had balls the size of a sherman tank. I well remember going nuts when he kicked that goal against the filth at filth park in 92. 

Outstanding footballer.  I remember crying my eyes out when I first heard the horrible news of his passing.  RIP Sean.

Not to be too morbid, but have we fair dinkum had a worse year in our history than 2011? I know there are seasons where we had worse records, but the human carnage in terms of careers ended and sadness in terms of lives eventually taken before their time that year was absolutely immeasurable.

Without going into the onfield and offfield fiascos, we lost Peter Szental, Sean Wight and Jimmy was terminally ill and passed in early 2012. Bails always felt that his cancer was related to how he was fired and the subsequent tanking debacle as well. Just a horrible year all round.

Losing Sean was bloddy horrible in isolation. He was a great servant of the club, an absolute gentleman from all accounts and severely underrated as a footballer. While Gazza had kicked bags on him (who didn't he kick a bag on?), he was one of the few fullbacks who could use his athleticism to keep Ablett Senior quiet on occasion.

Edited June 30, 20223 yr by Colin B. Flaubert

He was so good!!!

Why are we still not looking out for more talent from that part of the world (apart from the AFLW players we’ve recruited)?

Sean Wight.  What can be said that hasn't already been said.

I will just say that this bloke was possibly among the toughest 'at the ball' players i've ever witnessed live for the MFC.

As mentioned he had no fear for his own safety and went where only eagles dared in marking, spoiling and loose ball contests.

Pretty sure he helped us win the 87 night final against Essendrug by going or playing forward for a large part of the match, taking a few contested marks and kicking a few goals.

He was also one of the big early 'third man up' exponents.  Would hate to think of the meters gained from his punches forward towards the boundary with another throw in ensuing.

5 hours ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Courageous!!! That's for sure.

I remember him repeatedly standing "in the hole" with Lockett and a pack coming flat out, knees in the back, to "make him pay".

Very skilled, great mark for his size , and an accurate passer, and shot for goal.

Remember that inspiring 50m. kick off the ground into the forward line, in that semi final v the Swans in 1987?

I played golf with him a couple of times, and he hit it like a pro.

Only the best memories of Sean Wight.

He is remembered at the Heritage Golf club with this plaque for an albatross!

 

Edited June 30, 20223 yr by BillyBeane

I just can't believe its been 11 years

love him to bits.