End of the Line for Seaby

Mark Seaby had an elegant way of doing things on the football field.

Whether it be expertly and deftly tapping the ball to a teammate or taking a crucial mark or kicking a clutch goal, the Mukinbudin product made it look easy.

It was a style and work rate that saw “Seabs” taste premiership success at both WAFL and AFL level.

After 129 games across West Perth and Claremont and 120 games between West Coast and Sydney, Seaby announced his retirement following Claremont’s loss to East Perth in the elimination final.

Seaby will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of watching him play, but will leave a long-lasting legacy following a brilliant career.

After debuting for West Perth in round 11, 2002, Seaby was part of the Falcons’ team who defeated Subiaco by 23 points in the 2003 grand final.

He would go on to play 73 games for the club, in between playing for West Coast, who selected him with pick 22 in the 2001 AFL Draft.

Seaby debuted for the Eagles in round 4, 2004 against the Brisbane Lions, and was part of the team who defeated Sydney by one point in the 2006 grand final.

Despite being a player who was more than capable of playing alongside or filling in for Michael Gardiner or Dean Cox, Seaby was traded to the Sydney Swans at the end of 2009 after 102 games.

An injury-interrupted three seasons with the Swans saw Seaby play just 18 games before being delisted at the end of 2012.

After a phone call from the Claremont Football Club, Seaby joined the Tigers ahead of the 2013 season and would go on to become a key player for the team following back-to-back flags in 2011-12.

Seaby played every game in 2013-14, averaging 31 hit outs, five marks and three tackles, while the big man also kicked 32 goals.

A hamstring injury saw Seaby have a delayed start to 2015, and prevented the elite ruckman from lining up until round seven (following two games in the Reserves).

Whilst a team’s fortunes is never solely reliant on one player, Seaby’s importance to the side had perhaps never been better illustrated.

A disappointing start to the season saw the Tigers lose their opening five games, before a 20-point win, ironically, over the Falcons in round seven handed Claremont their first win for the season.

As always, Seaby had a profound influence in the win, gathering 17 disposals, winning 25 hit outs and kicking one goal.

A knee injury suffered against the Falcons in round 18 dampened Seaby’s finish to the season and saw him miss rounds 19 and 20.

However, after returning in the round-21 win over East Fremantle, Seaby was part of the Tigers’ team who made a late charge to sneak into the finals.

Never one for the limelight, Seaby was fittingly chaired from the ground by his teammates following the Tigers’ loss to the Royals – his 56^th game for the club.

It gave everyone in attendance the chance to give Seaby one last standing ovation as a tremendous career came to an end.

We wish Mark, his wife Aleesa and daughters Eva, 4, and Anai, 2, all the best in retirement and thank him for his services to the Claremont Football Club.