Our passionate Mt Lofty members may have noticed our senior players wore double black arm bands this Saturday in the R8 match against Hahndorf.
Sadly we have lost two great people in a short time that gave so much. We pass on our deepest condolences to the two families and friends of Alfie and Tossa and give our sincerest thanks for everything you have given to our clubs.
SEAN ‘ALFIE’ HANNA
Sean came to the club late in his playing days, aged in his mid to late 30s. He played B grade for our club and coached the B Grade also for a couple of seasons. He was given the nickname Alfie after the rugby player Alfie Langer as he was very short but so tough.
We have been sadden to hear of the passing of past player and B Grade coach from the 90s Sean (Alfie) Hanna. He passed away a few weeks back at the age of 71.
The best story about Sean at our club and how self-less he was happened a few days before the 1994 B Grade Grand final. Sean had played the whole year and was selected to play on the big day. As we know there is always a hard luck story in a grand final and unfortunately a guy called Jon Noble wasn’t picked. Jon was blind in one eye and was a very average footballer but had played on and off all year when the team was short of players. On the Friday Sean rang the coach to say that he would step aside and let Jon play. The team went on to beat Bridgewater in famous win. Jon played on the day and Sean celebrated as hard as anyone that night.
RIP Alfie
PAUL ‘TOSSA’ HORSNELL
Paul ‘Tossa’ Horsnell’s, health had been poor and was rapidly deteriorating.
The big man, 1990 Devils A grade Premiership player, among other accolades, is no longer with us.
We have been saddened to hear of the passing of past player Paul Horsnell. He passed away on Thursday 12th at the age of 55, after a long battle with Cancer.
Paul was recruited to Mt Lofty in 1990 from Uraidla where he had just played in an A grade Premiership at Full Forward.
At Mt Lofty he was to become an immovable force at Full Back in his prime at the age of 21, under the astute coaching of Andrew Downes.
Paul instantly found success with the Devils in the famous 1990 GF against Bridgewater which was initially a draw but triumphantly won by Mt Lofty in the following weeks replay.
Due to Paul’s size and domination he was given many nicknames- ‘Sir Lighthouse’, ‘The rock of Gibraltar’, but he was most affectionately known as ‘Tossa’.
Paul continued to play many more years for Mt Lofty, won numerous awards as the most reliable, creative and destructive defender, and was also a yearly addition in HCA representative teams.
Paul was also known for his hearty celebrations at the bar after games with his team mates and the opposition. Drinking ‘Whippets’ on his head was a signature move. His infectious personality enabled him to be a pleasure to be around. He was well liked and respected by all.
RIP Tossa.
