Laurie Serafini -old VFL Tales

Chairman Phil Stewart introduced us to Laurie Serafini ex Fitzroy footballer from the late 70's-80's and ex Director of the Brisbane Lions in more recent times including their magic success time in 2001-2003.

Laurie a director of Serafini Communications (learning & development according to Laurie) and with considerable experience in executive recruitment gave us a wonderful address on his journey as a VFL-AFL footballer.    Highly articulate and clear minded  he showed that he was a product of the time when football was a part time pursuit allowing players to pursue academic studies and mix sophisticated work obligations with football.   Laurie explained that on the day of his first senior game he had a 3 hour legal exam in the morning before venturing to the St Kilda Junction oval to play at full forward for Fitzroy.    Passing the exam and getting four goals was not bad day's effort!

Laurie described how he evolved from a wingman tagger as young player, often getting the role to negate an opposition star , to a long term role in defence notably full back where he enjoyed the challenge of playing against some of the greatest names of the time.

It was interesting to hear his reflections on some of the stars of the 1980's and his observations on how football has changed from a part time job  based on simple playing strategies to the present use of  highly complex tactics and necessarily absolute full time training and playing efforts of the players.     The implications of this was troubling for him.     He pointed out that today on leaving football a young man who has been a full time footballer has no work or real life experience.   This creates problems in both getting meaningful employment and adjusting to the life after football---this  sometimes lead to depression and involvement with drugs.  

To remind us of the past Laurie, pulled out his Fitzroy, Brisbane and Big V jerseys.   Thanks Laurie.