Michael McGuane
Encyclopedia
Michael 'Mick' McGuane was an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
and showed great skills as a running midfielder. From Sebastapol Football Club, McGuane made a name for himself in 1988, coming runner-up to Peter Daicos
in the best and fairest
award. In his early career he continued to get recognised as a great young footballer, and in 1990
, Collingwood's Premiership drought breaking season, he was a stand out in the finals. He carried the ball when he found it, and pumped it inside 50 on numerous occasions. He had 24 disposals in the Grand Final
and kicked a handy goal.
award in seasons 1992 and 1993, and also won All-Australian selection in 1992 also. His career was at its peak and was among the elite in AFL
Football, and part of his hard work was due to Darren Millane
's trainer, who was asked by Mick to help his fitness. In 1994 he kicked an amazing running goal against Carlton
at the MCG
, which saw him run from the centre-square along the wing and half-forward flank, closing to 30m and kicking it through the middle. He bounced the ball 7 times during the famous run, and was deemed as one of the greatest goals of all-time.
and gambling
problems. An experienced player and somewhat decorated, his career was almost over. Calf injuries were his main concern in 1995, where he played only 13 games. In 1996 he had a life-threatening bladder infection, and resulted in a ruptured urethra. The injury came upon a kick to the groin in the annual ANZAC Day clash
against Essendon
. At the end of all seasons from 1992–1997, McGuane experienced some kind of surgery.
In 1996 he left Collingwood for a fresh start, and was traded to Carlton
for a 1st and 4th round draft selections in the 1996 AFL Draft
. Coach Tony Shaw
of Collingwood did offer McGuane a two-year contract deal, but was refused. He had calf problems at Carlton, causing him only to manage a disappointing 3 games with the rival club. His off-field incidents were also frequent, and included another alcohol problem, as well as a fight with Carlton teammate Matthew Hogg
at training.
in the Bendigo Football League for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2002 all three teams he coached (Under 18s, Reserves and Seniors) won their Grand Final. The seniors won again in 2003.
He was appointed as an assistant coach at St Kilda for the 2006 season.
As a player, coaches Leigh Matthews
and David Parkin
both said that he had an amazing football brain, and was certain to be an AFL coach one day.
McGuane then coached the Balwyn Tigers seniors team in the Eastern Football League Division 1 in 2007. He came to the club at a tough time as they move into the highly rated EFL competition 1st Division. McGuane's coaching saw Balwyn into the finals in their first year in the competition. www.balwyntigers.com.au
Season 2008 saw McGuane take the reins as Senior Coach at the Keilor football club in the EDFL where they were the eventual premiers.
As of January 2007, McGuane starts a one-year contract with Radio Sports 927 as co-host of its breakfast program Prime Time Sports with fellow 1990 premiership teammate Michael Christian
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Early years (1987–1990)
McGuane debuted in 1987 with CollingwoodCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and showed great skills as a running midfielder. From Sebastapol Football Club, McGuane made a name for himself in 1988, coming runner-up to Peter Daicos
Peter Daicos
Peter Daicos is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played his entire 250 game career with the Collingwood Football Club in the VFL/AFL....
in the best and fairest
Copeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
award. In his early career he continued to get recognised as a great young footballer, and in 1990
1990 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 1990.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 154...
, Collingwood's Premiership drought breaking season, he was a stand out in the finals. He carried the ball when he found it, and pumped it inside 50 on numerous occasions. He had 24 disposals in the Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
and kicked a handy goal.
Copeland Trophy era (1991–1994)
McGuane won the best and fairestCopeland Trophy
The E.W. Copeland Trophy is an Australian rules football award given by the Collingwood Football Club to the player adjudged Best and Fairest for Collingwood during the year....
award in seasons 1992 and 1993, and also won All-Australian selection in 1992 also. His career was at its peak and was among the elite in AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Football, and part of his hard work was due to Darren Millane
Darren Millane
Darren "Pants" Millane was an Australian rules football player in the VFL/AFL for the Collingwood Football Club between 1984 and 1991.-AFL career:...
's trainer, who was asked by Mick to help his fitness. In 1994 he kicked an amazing running goal against Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
at the MCG
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
, which saw him run from the centre-square along the wing and half-forward flank, closing to 30m and kicking it through the middle. He bounced the ball 7 times during the famous run, and was deemed as one of the greatest goals of all-time.
Later career and injuries (1995–1997)
In 1995 and 1996, McGuane broke down as a footballer as injuries took toll, as well as off-field incidents, including alcoholAlcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
and gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
problems. An experienced player and somewhat decorated, his career was almost over. Calf injuries were his main concern in 1995, where he played only 13 games. In 1996 he had a life-threatening bladder infection, and resulted in a ruptured urethra. The injury came upon a kick to the groin in the annual ANZAC Day clash
The ANZAC Day clash
The Anzac Day clash is an annual Australian rules football match between Australian Football League teams Collingwood and Essendon, held on Anzac Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground .-Early history of Australian rules on Anzac Day:...
against Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. At the end of all seasons from 1992–1997, McGuane experienced some kind of surgery.
In 1996 he left Collingwood for a fresh start, and was traded to Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
for a 1st and 4th round draft selections in the 1996 AFL Draft
1996 AFL Draft
The 1996 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1996 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
. Coach Tony Shaw
Tony Shaw
Anthony 'Tony' Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer, coach and media personality.-Playing career:Shaw was recruited to Collingwood from Reservoir-Lakeside to make his debut in 1977 alongside brother Ray...
of Collingwood did offer McGuane a two-year contract deal, but was refused. He had calf problems at Carlton, causing him only to manage a disappointing 3 games with the rival club. His off-field incidents were also frequent, and included another alcohol problem, as well as a fight with Carlton teammate Matthew Hogg
Matthew Hogg
Matthew Hogg is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray and Carlton.Hogg started his career at Footscray after being recruited from East Keilor. Carlton then picked up Hogg at pick 18 in the 1991 National Draft. He usually played as a tagger for the Blues but was also known...
at training.
Coaching career
McGuane coached the Gisborne Football ClubGisborne Football Club
The Gisborne Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Bendigo Football League.-Premierships:Riddell District Football League * 1934, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1997, 1998, 1999)...
in the Bendigo Football League for the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2002 all three teams he coached (Under 18s, Reserves and Seniors) won their Grand Final. The seniors won again in 2003.
He was appointed as an assistant coach at St Kilda for the 2006 season.
As a player, coaches Leigh Matthews
Leigh Matthews
Leigh Raymond "Lethal Leigh" Matthews AM is a former player and coach of Australian rules football. He played for Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League from 1969 to 1985, coached Collingwood from 1986–1995, and coached the Brisbane Lions from 1999 to 2008...
and David Parkin
David Parkin
David Parkin is a former Australian rules footballer and four-time premiership coach.- Pre-football career :He attended Melbourne High School and during his time there, was the school vice-captain and captain of football....
both said that he had an amazing football brain, and was certain to be an AFL coach one day.
McGuane then coached the Balwyn Tigers seniors team in the Eastern Football League Division 1 in 2007. He came to the club at a tough time as they move into the highly rated EFL competition 1st Division. McGuane's coaching saw Balwyn into the finals in their first year in the competition. www.balwyntigers.com.au
Season 2008 saw McGuane take the reins as Senior Coach at the Keilor football club in the EDFL where they were the eventual premiers.
As of January 2007, McGuane starts a one-year contract with Radio Sports 927 as co-host of its breakfast program Prime Time Sports with fellow 1990 premiership teammate Michael Christian
Michael Christian
Michael Christian is a former Australian rules footballer and media personality from Busselton, Western Australia.Christian played 82 games for East Perth in the WAFL from 1981 to 1986 and then crossed to Collingwood in the VFL/AFL to play out his football career. Christian would play full-back...
.