At times the words ‘Club Legend’ gets bandied around at the club, but when the name Mark ‘Dougie’ Ensor is mentioned there is always commonality – this guy IS a true legend of the club.
Last year Dougie was assistant coach to Michael Wilson in the premiership winning Reserves side that took on and won all before them. This year with our Senior teams down on numbers, Dougie made a comeback as a player in the Reserves to help the club out. He has now played most games this season highlighted recently by a 6 goal haul against Old Haileybury.
In his teenage years Dougie was a star player at Mentone Grammar, but opted to play for our club at the end of his school years, a decision he reckons was the best footy decision he’s made.
A snapshot Dougie’s career reads like this:
Dougie turned 40 only last week so we thought it opportune to remind everyone of his stellar career and his undoubted commitment to the Beaumaris Football Club.
Last week we sat down and had a chat to a true BFC champion. It's an insightful read.
Dougie thanks for sitting down and having a chat with us, you’re one of the most heralded played in the history of the BFC and you’re back playing in our Reserves, why did you decide to start playing again?
I honestly was not thinking about it in the pre-season at all. I started doing some running and dropped a few kg's and was feeling quite good. It was only leading into Cootey's 300th in round 3, that Lica said they were down a few players this season. There were a few old blokes coming back to play in that game and I should also play. I still didn't take it seriously as we had great numbers the year before when we won the flag. However the next round (v Parkdale away) Lica said they were going to be down on numbers and did I and Cats (Adam Catlin) want to play. I hadn't played a game since Round 18, 2015, and I thought why not, the body is feeling good and I'm not doing much that afternoon. Playing as a backman for probably 280 of my 325 odd games, I think kicking a couple goals in the last quarter helped with the enthusiasm even though we lost by a kick after the siren.
Last year you were the Reserves Assistant Coach in a premiership year, you’re love for the club must conflict at times with your life outside of the BFC.
There is no conflict...the family and kids are number 1. It just happens that last season there was the flexibility with Willow (Michael Wilson) as coach, along with the senior coaches (Bluey and Choco), that I was able to be there in a capacity that enabled me to be around the club and combine family life. Also living in Beauy only 500m from the ground helps a lot. I also coach the Auskickers in the morning, so it can be convenient already being at the ground in the morning, then rolling into the reserves games.
Where does Dougie come from?
Dougie is actually my dad's name. He just so happened to kick 60 goals 8 behinds in 1 game of footy back in his day in 1967 (Guinness Book of Records). A few mates at Mentone Grammar saw him on The Footy Show in 1995 where he won the inaugural Almost Footy Legends that year.. From there the boys at school started calling me Dougie, and as you know with any nickname, they tend to stick. As 1995 was my first year at Mentone, there were people (probably even to this day), that don't realise my name is actually Mark.
Tell us about your family
I've got a great family, Wife Jess and 3 kids, Annabelle, Emily and Isaac. As with any young family, they are your world and it's great being around them. The support I get from my wife as well as watching the kids grow up is what life's about and I cannot wait to see what path their lives take. Maybe another few hundred games at the Sharks from them?!
You’re the club’s record holder for the player who has played the most games in our Senior side at 284 games, how do you look back on all those years early in your Senior career, they must be a blur?
I played my first senior game in round 1 1998, fresh out of high school, so yeah it is while back now that i think about it. I remember it was the clubs first ever game in C grade after winning the D grade flag the year before, so there were some quality players obviously. We beat Thomastown comfortably that day. The early seasons i think actually define you as a player in any club. We lost the grand final that year. The next year we won 7 games in B grade and were relegated, it was that close. I think we were only 2 games out of the 4. Season 2000 was a massive year for the club as we made the grand final and only lost 2 games that year. Without going into it, that grand final loss was the one i won't ever get over as i know we were easily the best side all year. I finally managed to get the elusive first premiership in 2003 when we smashed Collegians by 53 points. The relief of winning a premiership was the ultimate as i was never lucky enough to even play in a GF as a junior. So as far as a blur, not really, there are a lot of memories that can be sparked one way or another. I actually can remember every season for one reason or another. We had some great wins along the way, however the 2010 Grand Final winning by a point after being 45 points down at quarter time, would have to be the highlight. Losing 3 other Grand Finals also stick in your mind for different reasons, but let's not go there!
Someone actually mentioned the other day when we beat Old Brighton in 1999 when were were 3 goals down with about 3 minutes to play and we were gone for all money. And straight away the memories come flooding back. We some how managed to kick the 3 goals which included an awesome 5 bounce run by Aaron Salisbury down the wing at Elsternwick Park.
You must have played with some wonderful players in your time, who are the five best you have seen?
I have seen and played with many over the years and I must admit I get asked this question probably the most. It always sparks a bit of controversy as everyone has differing opinions. Clearly the best player is Murray Pitts. He would literally win a game off his own boot, whether he was playing midfield or forward. He was also a dominant backman (where he played in the VAFA Rep Sides and at the Saints) and I think the fact he could play every position and be the best player on any day, sets him apart from anyone else that has played at the club. Every game you played with Muz named in your team, you thought you would win. He would always have your back.
The next 4 players I think can swing in many ways. The older I get, the more emphasis I start to put on quality and longevity of career. To maintain a high standard for a long period of time is a tough task. There is also the debate over position and flexibility as well as achievement.
Brayden Haynes, Matt Petering, Tom Dean are definitely in my top 5. I would probably throw a blanket over a handful of players for the 5th spot (Chris Martin, Sean Coote, Scott Gower, Rob Cathcart, Luke McNicholas & Chris Waller) .NB: I hope i haven't missed anyone. Apologies. :)
Who’s the better player… Sean Coote, Nick Loucaides or Adam Catlin?
Sean Coote (as the best backman) into Adam Catlin (as the best wingman) into Nick Loucaides (the best back-pocket). However all 3 are completely different players. Cootey as the ultimate disrupter and reader of the play. Cats as a quality wingman (who i did see kick 10 goals in a game once) and Lica as the architect of the 20m hit-up from the back pocket.
Looking at today’s young Senior team, can you draw any parallels with your history?
Absolutely...our 1999 B grade side (which as mentioned before was relegated when we won 7 games). We were consistently made up of U/19 players and i think in one of our wins late in the season against Collegians, we had like 9 or 10 guys who were still U/19 eligible (including myself). We were able to lay a strong foundation and made the Grand Final the next year. I think seeing the amount of young kids playing for the Sharks this year is a direct replica of that 1999-2000 time. Back in 1999-2000, Haynesy won back-to-back B&F's...Different positions, but clearly Diggo is a big chance to replicate that. The good news for the current crop is they are sitting in the 4 with a big chance to do some damage in September.
What’s it like to win a premiership for the Beauy footy club?
Winning Premierships are what footy is about, the reason you play. It is the reward for the pre-seasons, the cold Tuesday raining training night when it is easy to be on the couch at home. Fortunately I was lucky enough to win 2 senior grand finals and have a group of guys that were as committed as I was, along with some great coaches. Brett 'Moose' Marchant was exceptional at capturing the raw emotion of winning a premiership and the footage he has of all of us after the 2003 flag in the change rooms asking us what it means, is timeless. Throw in the footage of the last 3 minutes of the 2010 grand final win and the goose bumps start...That's what I love. And it's about the blokes you play with...the banter you can have forever. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
On the flip side, I played in 3 losing Senior Grand Finals, 2000, 2005 and 2012. I was also left out of the side in my first year 1998. Missing that game definitely spurred the success that was to come in the future.
Playing is definitely different to coaching. Being in the coaches box in 2018 when we won the reserves premiership was a different feeling. Your body is not physically on the line but the anxiety was still there. I think it was easier playing as you can impact any contest. In the coaches box, you are reliant on the messages and play being carried out by the guys on the field. But all are special and I am thankful to be part of them.
Do you look forward to your kids playing at the BFC?
I do look forward to my kids playing at the Sharks. My son is probably the keenest at the moment. If you ask him who he goes for, it's "Sharks and Magpies" without blinking. He managed to sneak into a few photos with the reserves flag last year and I am sure these little impressions will mean a lot to him as he gets older. The age group he has at Auskick look like they will be a very handy Sharks outfit throughout the juniors as they get older. I'm sure I will be involved and yes, it is definitely something I am looking forward to being part of. My old man (the real Dougie) didn't miss any of my games and I don't think I will be missing any of my boys.
If there’s something you’d do over again, what would it be?
If you could guarantee me a premiership every season...that's what i'd be doing. But that is the simple answer. I think the down seasons or the growth seasons make the pinnacle just that bit more satisfying when you get there.
At the end of your career you just want to play. I think that is why i have continued to play a few more games this year. It is just in your blood. It is the contest, the singing of the song after a game. Once it is gone, you just want to do it again. So what i'd do again...Just Play Footy.
You’re love for the BFC runs deep, what can you tell young players who have conflicting playing options?
12. I understand why players may play elsewhere and I see the reasons why these decisions are made. Even players that may take a year or two away and come back. Everyone has to run their own race and find the place that makes them happy. My advice is though, once you have found that place...stay there. I found my home at the Sharks after not being a junior of the club. I played my junior footy at Noble Park (an arch-enemy of the Sharks). However when Adam Catlin got me down to Shark Park at the end of year 12, I knew this was going to become my club. Did i ever think i would play more than 300 Senior Games...No, you are not thinking that far ahead. Did I know Iwould be happy 20+ years later?...absolutely! And it is for that reason i know I can walk into the club forever and you know it is your home. Go Sharks!
Thank you, Dougie.