Big one today as we’re taking a look at the only player in WCC history to play in the AFL, Neil Hein. An extremely tall, lanky and talented footballer and cricketer from a young age, Nugget initially played footy for Ramblers before going on to play SANFL for Norwood through the 1980’s whilst also playing A Grade Cricket for Bremer/Callington C.C. (between 1983-87). Eventually, he was drafted to the AFL by the upstart Brisbane Bears, playing in their inaugural match (which they won, with Nugget kicking 2 goals). He went on to play 15 matches for the Bears (with players such as Mark “Choco” Williams, Mark Mickan and the late Phil Walsh) across the 1987 and 1988 AFL seasons (kicking 12 goals), before returning to the Parade for a final season in 1989, finishing with 140 matches for Norwood, including the 1984 SANFL Premiership.
Returning to the country, a few years later Nugget was lured out to the Hill, making his debut in the 1993/94 season at the ripe age of 30. A right arm seamer, Nugget used his 6 ft 6 frame to generate steepling bounce and he would go on to become the star A Grade bowler for the club of the 90’s, including winning the A Grade Bowling Aggregate & Average in each of his first two seasons (1993/94 & 1994/95) and again in 1997/98.
A two-time A Grade Premiership player, Nugget won his first in his inaugural season at the club in 1993/94 (taking 3/29 in the GF), before winning his second title, as captain, in 1999/00 (taking 2/36 from 14 overs in the GF). A big game player, Nugget was capable of long spells of extreme accuracy when necessary, for example in the unsuccessful 1997/98 GF when he tried his best to bowl the Echidnas to victory, bowling 30 overs (out of 70), including a whopping 12 maidens, to collect 4/58.
Retiring as a regular after the 2000/01 season, and despite only playing 82 matches (exclusively in A Grade), Nugget racked up 164 wickets (14th most in club history) at an excellent average of 14.99 (11th best in WCC history, but 4th best amongst players to have played since 1980). Nugget took 5 wickets in an inning on 5 occasions and also took a ten for in just his 3rd match for the club – played at the Hill & after the Echidnas had racked up 5/329 (dec.) he took career best figures of 7/17 as Finniss were skittled for just 51 in the 1st innings before adding 4/28 in the second innings as Finniss could only muster a further 81.
A family man at heart, a special mention has to be made for his wife, Greer, a long-time A Grade scorer who was also awarded the Blight Perpetual Trophy for Clubperson of the Year in 2000/01 (becoming the first female to do so). Nugget’s two sons, Matt and Mitch, would also go on to become A Grade regulars in the late 2000s and early 2010s, with Mitch playing 67 matches and taking 120 wickets and scoring 1,002 runs, whilst Matt would captain the A Grade for several years whilst playing 65 matches himself, finishing with 93 wickets and 945 runs.
Nugget also holds several unique club records, including having taken the most wickets in WCC history to have come solely in A Grade and as the only player in club history to have his own Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Hein)! These days, Nugget is a regular attendee at Past Players Day each season and can often be seen out at Nairne (where Matt and Mitch now play) supporting his lads.
