A brilliant career, Dr Mark Fisher!
September 4,
2025 707 707 
Congratulations on a brilliant career, Dr Mark Fisher! Retiring after 29 years with the Port Adelaide FC, and 13 in the SANFL, totaling 42 years of working weekends supporting sporting teams!
Read below to recap some of Mark's favourite moments, what he will miss most, and advice for the next generation!
Pictured is inaugural Port Adelaide Doctor Peter Barnes (L) with Dr Mark Fisher (R), with the 2004 AFL Premiership Cup at last year's 20-year premiership reunion.
What are the most memorable moments from your career?
Obviously, the biggest thrill was being a part of Port Adelaide's 2004 Premiership Team, however the greatest pleasure has been looking after young boys drafted to the club evolving into young men and then becoming fathers and family men, maturing into coaches and administrators. I have found that the most rewarding experience.
Other highlights include Anna Meares GOLD medal at the 2012 London Olympics, this was a significant victory, defeating British, and heavily favored rival, Victoria Pendleton. Anna had to fight her way back throughout the competition and final to claim gold, and I was honored to be a part of this.
Another cycling highlight was being involved with Cadel Evans victory at the 2009 UCI Road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
What will you miss most about being involved with team sports?
As mentioned above, managing the young men who become fathers, family men, and coaches who I have looked after from a medical standpoint. It has been great to see where some of them have gone since, seniors coaches Damien Hardwick, Adam Kingsley, and Josh Carr to name a few. Many others are excelling in other roles within the AFL, Brendon Lade and Chad Cornes in assistant roles, Tom Harley now with the AFL front office. It has been great to see their careers progress.
Secondly, the behind-the-scenes comradery of the support staff and medical teams - staff, other doctors, physios, sports trainers, and travelling with the team. The role is much easier and more manageable when you are working with great people!
What would your advice be for any young doctors beginning their career, who may be interested in taking the sport pathway?
Have a passion for the sport you are working in, whatever it may be, live the sport with the coaches and players. When I started in cycling, I was not too familiar with the disciplines but put in the time and effort to learn more about the sport and how each discipline varied. Have a willingness to learn more, ask questions of not just the medical team, but coaches and athletes, don't be afraid to ask!
What would be your advice for anyone working within the wider sports medicine team?
Be humble and listen to others who have been there before you, don't pretend like you know everything! Try to get along with the entire team and staff, you never know when you will need them, from the coach, to players, massage therapists, team car drivers! When working in elite sport especially, pre planning and anticipating things that can and will happen, as opposed to being reactive. Think head, get on the front foot, plan for incidents, this ties back to having an understanding and passion for your sport.
What role has SASMA played throughout your career? Tell us about connections you have built, and any influential people along the way.
My involvement with SASMA has been vitally important throughout my career, particularly early in my career when establishing myself in sports medicine. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to meet others working in the industry - go to meetings, go to conferences, learn as much as possible, network and get involved as much as you can - it is worth the effort!
Dr Peter Barnes has been one of the most influential people throughout my career, were it not for the fact I met and got to know Peter, I wouldn't be where I am today. Dr Barnes opened the gates for me to get into sports medicine, and then to the AFL and Australian Cycling, he provided the opportunity. I first worked with Peter in the early sports medicine days at the Hindmarsh Sports Clinic where I started in the mid 1980's after offering to help wherever I could. Initially working alongside Peter and fellow SA sports medicine icon, Dr Brian Sando. Towards the late 80's Peter and I started our own clinic, which later evolved into sportsmed. I was working with South Adelaide in the SANFL at the time, when Peter moved from the Crows to Port Adelaide in '97, he invited me to work alongside him, and I have been there ever since!
After 40-plus years working weekend work, and travelling with teams, what do you plan to do with the extra free time?
I am looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren, more cycling with my wife, and doing more travel... that isn't work! I have travelled to many places throughout my career, but most of the time is spent in hotel rooms!
We congratulate Mark on a brilliant career and wish him the very best for the future.