Celebrating a Lifelong Dedication to St Helens Football Club
It is with great honour and pride that we announce the induction of Michael Mountney as the sixth member of our Hall of Fame.
Michael "Mick" Mountney’s journey began on a dairy farm in Herrick, nestled in the North East of Tasmania. Showing prodigious talent from an early age, Mick played NTJFA with Scottsdale Football Club on Sundays and under 16’s with Winnaleah Football Club on Saturdays, winning multiple junior Best & Fairest awards across several seasons—a testament to his early prowess and commitment.Remarkably, Mick debuted in senior football with Winnaleah at just 13 years of age, demonstrating both skill and maturity beyond his years.
In 1984, at the age of 16, Mick joined St Helens Football Club and played in an FDFA Senior Premiership side coached by John Thurley. The following year, he contributed to another Senior Premiership victory and was selected as full forward for the combined FDFA team against the NEFU—an impressive feat for a 17-year-old.Encouraged by John Thurley, Mick was recruited to Hobart Football Club to play in the TSL in 1985. He made his senior debut in April, bravely relocating to Hobart as a young man. Although the competition was formidable and Mick faced the challenge of cementing his place in the senior team, his determination was unwavering. Unfortunately, a fractured shoulder in an early pre-season game in 1987 curtailed his tenure at Hobart FC, prompting a return to St Helens.Upon recovery, Mick added another Senior FDFA Premiership to his achievements and was named Best on Ground. By the age of 19, he had amassed three senior premierships, establishing himself as a formidable competitor.
Mick’s dedication shone through as he won his first St Helens Senior Best & Fairest award in 1988, and followed with consecutive Best & Fairest honours in 1989 and 1990. In 1989, he was runner-up in the FDFA Best & Fairest, further illustrating his consistent excellence.In 1991, Mick was recruited to North Launceston and played in the TSL Grand Final. Under the guidance of Steven Goulding, Mick was assigned to play on Richard Hill, a recruit from Geelong. The Examiner notably reported that Mick had “nullified Hill’s impact on the game”, highlighting his outstanding performance on the grand stage.Mick commenced the 1992 season with North Launceston before returning to St Helens, where he contributed to a fourth FDFA premiership. The following years saw him continue his journey: a season with Hillwood in 1993, overseas travel in 1994, and a return to St Helens for further successes, including a fifth premiership in 1997. Mick’s final season culminated in a sixth premiership in 2000 under coach Jobi Watts, after which he retired to focus on his family as his first son was born.
Mick Mountney’s career is distinguished by resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sport and his clubs. His achievements on the field, his ability to overcome adversity, and his sportsmanship set a standard for generations to follow.On behalf of the entire community, we congratulate Michael Mountney on his induction into the Hall of Fame. His legacy will inspire and guide future players for years to come.Congratulations, Michael Mountney—Hall of Fame Inductee no. 6.Our Hall of Fame Inductee this evening I expect will a bit surprise as he is extremely humble, it will only be him that thinks that way, everyone else will know he is obviously fully deserving. It is with great pleasure I announce that Michael Mountney is our 6th Hall of Fame inductee.
Mick grew up on a dairy farm in Herrick, up in the North East of TasmaniaMick commenced his football career playing NTJFA on Sundays with Scottsdale FC and under 16’s with Winnaleah FC on Saturdays (Over several seasons Mick won a number of junior B&Fs displaying a considerable talent from early days. Hard to imagine these days, Mick played his first senior game with Winnaleah at the age of 13.
In 1984 Mick joined St Helens FC, and at the age of only 16 years old, played in an FDFA Senior Premiership side coached by John Thurley.The following year Mick played in the 1985 Senior Premiership team and was also selected as the full forward for the combined FDFA side that played the NEFU, not bad for a 17 years old.
Encouraged by John Thurley, Mick was recruited to Hobart FC to play in the TSL in 1985, he made his senior debut in April, those that know Mick would know shifting to Hobart at such a young age would have been a fair challenge and Mick didn’t quite cement his place in the senior team, the TSL was an exceptionally strong competition in that era. Unfortunately Mick fractured his shoulder in an early pre-season game with Hobart in 1997. Mick sought a permit back to St Helens and following the recover of his shoulder played in another Senior FDFA premiership, Mick was Best on Ground and had notched up three senior premierships by the age of 19. At the age of 20 Mick won his first St Helens Senior Bn’F in 1988, backing it up with consecutive Bn’Fs in 1989 and 1990. In 1989 Mick was runner up in the FDFA Bn’F.
In 1991 Mick was recruited to North Launceston and played in the TSL Grand Final, Steven Goulding picked Mick to play on Richard Hill who had been recruited from Geelong. The Examiner reported that ‘Mick had nullified Hill’s impact on the game’.
Mick commenced 1992 with North Launceston however moved back to St Helens and played in his fourth FDFA premiership. In 1993 Mick had a year with Hillwood and travelled overseas in 1994. Mick resumed playing with St Helens including a fifth premiership in 1997, Mick’s final season and game was a sixth premiership in 2000 coached by Jobi. Mick retired when his first son was born.
As you can imagine all of Mick’s coaches would have felt privileged to have coached such a talented, versatile and fierce competitor. His team mates knew he hated losing and that he gave 100% every time he took to the ground.
Mick did have the aspiration and possibly the talent, he certainly had the determination to have made AFL, Long time Examiner sports reporter Ian MacPherson wrote
"Mountney was unbeatable, and I wondered why the VFL scouts weren't hanging over the fence waving their cheque books at him."
for someone from the far NE and a pretty quiet young fella, that was always going to be a huge exercise, Just imagine how much more achievable it will be for the Mick Mountney’s to play AFL when we have the Devils in place.
Talking to Mick recently, while he won many personal accolades it was the priviledge of playing grand finals with so many great players and good friends that really was the highlight. He cherishes the strong friendships he forged through his playing days.
The standout highlight for Mick is probably the 1984 Grand final, the reasons being he was so young, and he was part of winning a premiership after a 14 year St Helens Seniors premiership drought.
Mick has kept a keen interest in footy since finishing helping out with juniors with his son’s involvement, mentoring and supporting others along the way.
