Stephen Michael
Encyclopedia
Stephen Albert Michael in Kojonup, Western Australia
is a former Australian rules football
er.
Australian Aborigine, Michael played in the WAFL
between 1975 and 1985 with the South Fremantle Football Club
, playing 243 games and kicking 231 goals. He played in South's 1980 premiership side and was appointed captain in 1983. He holds the WAFL record for the most consecutive league games with 217. Throughout his career, Michael resisted numerous advances by VFL
clubs to move east and is often listed as one of the best players to never play in the VFL.
He was a strong, high leaping ruckman
who won the Sandover Medal
in 1980 and 1981. His 37 votes in 1981 (with nine best-on-grounds and receiving votes in 15 of the 21 games played) was a record tally under the 3-2-1 voting system in place at the time. He represented Western Australia in State or State of Origin
football on 17 occasions, captaining the side 3 times. In 1983 he won the Simpson Medal
for the best player in the WA vs SA game and the Tassie Medal
as the best player in Australia in State of Origin
football and was named captain in the 1983 All-Australian Team
. He won the South Fremantle's fairest and best in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983.
. In 1999, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
. In 2005 he was named at Centre Half Forward in the Australian Football Indigenous Team of the Century
and in 2009 he was named in the ruck and captain of the South Fremantle Football Club's Indigenous Team of the Century. In 2008, as part of the annual NAIDOC
game between South Fremantle and Claremont
, the Chris Lewis
/Stephen Michael Award was presented to Andrew Browne
for being the best player in the match.
", broadcast on Melbourne Radio
, also played Australian rules football
for South Fremantle Football Club
(including the 1997 premiership side) and Fremantle Football Club
. Unlike his resilient father's long career, Clem's career was cut short by a knee injury. Michael also has two daughters and another four sons.
Kojonup, Western Australia
Kojonup is a town located 256 km south-east of Perth, Western Australia along Albany Highway.The name Kojonup is believed to refer to the "Kodja" or stone axe made by Indigenous Australians from the local stone....
is a former Australian rules football
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.
Playing career
A NoongarNoongar
The Noongar are an indigenous Australian people who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast...
Australian Aborigine, Michael played in the WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
between 1975 and 1985 with the South Fremantle Football Club
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
, playing 243 games and kicking 231 goals. He played in South's 1980 premiership side and was appointed captain in 1983. He holds the WAFL record for the most consecutive league games with 217. Throughout his career, Michael resisted numerous advances by VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
clubs to move east and is often listed as one of the best players to never play in the VFL.
He was a strong, high leaping ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
who won the Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
in 1980 and 1981. His 37 votes in 1981 (with nine best-on-grounds and receiving votes in 15 of the 21 games played) was a record tally under the 3-2-1 voting system in place at the time. He represented Western Australia in State or State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
football on 17 occasions, captaining the side 3 times. In 1983 he won the Simpson Medal
Simpson Medal
The Simpson Medal, a prize for Australian rules football, has been donated by Dr. Fred Simpson and family since 1945. It is awarded to the best player in a WAFL Grand Final and the best player in an interstate game involving Western Australia....
for the best player in the WA vs SA game and the Tassie Medal
Tassie Medal
The Tassie Medal was awarded to the outstanding player at each Australian rules football Interstate Carnival or Australian interstate championship series held between 1937 and 1988 with the exception of the 1975 knock-out series....
as the best player in Australia in State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
football and was named captain in the 1983 All-Australian Team
All-Australian Team
The All-Australian Team is an all star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each season. It represents a complete team, including interchange players and a coach, of the best performed during the season....
. He won the South Fremantle's fairest and best in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983.
Recognition
In 1995 he was named as an inaugural member of the Fremantle Football Hall of LegendsFremantle Football Hall of Legends
The Fremantle Football Hall of Legends was inaugurated by the Fremantle Football Club in 1995, in recognition of the new Australian Football League team’s links with its home city’s football heritage. The inductees are nominated by the two clubs from the Fremantle area in the West Australian...
. In 1999, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
. In 2005 he was named at Centre Half Forward in the Australian Football Indigenous Team of the Century
Indigenous Team of the Century
The Indigenous Team of the Century was selected to recognise the role of Indigenous Australians in the sport. It was announced in 2005 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first senior game played by an indigenous player, Fitzroy's Joe Johnson...
and in 2009 he was named in the ruck and captain of the South Fremantle Football Club's Indigenous Team of the Century. In 2008, as part of the annual NAIDOC
NAIDOC
NAIDOC is an awareness committee and the name of an Australian week of observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday....
game between South Fremantle and Claremont
Claremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
, the Chris Lewis
Chris Lewis (Australian rules footballer)
Christoper Lockley "Chris" Lewis is a former Australian rules footballer who played over 200 AFL senior games for the West Coast Eagles....
/Stephen Michael Award was presented to Andrew Browne
Andrew Browne
Andrew Grahame Browne is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League . He plays as a rover and began his football career at Claremont in the West Australian Football League...
for being the best player in the match.
Media
Michael was a regular guest of the "Marngrook Footy ShowThe Marngrook Footy Show
The Marngrook Footy Show is a sport panel show broadcast in Australia. It is broadcast as delay on NITV and is now broadcast on ABC2 . It was simulcast on Channel 31...
", broadcast on Melbourne Radio
Personal life
His son, Clem MichaelClem Michael
Clem Anthony Michael is a former Australian Rules football player in the Australian Football League for the Fremantle Football Club from 1998 to 2000...
, also played Australian rules football
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...
for South Fremantle Football Club
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
(including the 1997 premiership side) and Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
. Unlike his resilient father's long career, Clem's career was cut short by a knee injury. Michael also has two daughters and another four sons.