Michael Walters

For other persons of the same name, see Michael Walters (disambiguation)
Michael Walters

Michael Walters playing at Domain Stadium in August 2016
Personal information
Full name Michael Walters
Nickname(s) Son-Son, Sonny[1]
Date of birth (1991-01-07) 7 January 1991
Place of birth Australia
Original team(s) Swan Districts (WAFL)
Draft 53rd overall, 2008
Fremantle
Height / weight 177cm / 76kg
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club Fremantle
Number 10
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2009 Fremantle 94 (177)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2016.
Career highlights

Michael Walters (born 7 January 1991) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Junior career

A highly skilled player who mainly plays as a midfielder or forward,[2] Walters was selected by Fremantle with the 53rd pick in the 2008 AFL Draft. He had made his senior debut for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League in 2008, playing 2 matches.[3] Nicknamed Son-son, he lived on the same street in Midvale as his former Swan Districts teammates and fellow 2008 AFL draftees Nic Naitanui and Chris Yarran.[1] Walters' father Mike played for Central District in the South Australian National Football League.[4]

In 2007 he represented Western Australia at the Under 16 Championships and won the Kevin Sheehan Medal (shared with Tom Scully) as the best player in the championships, after kicking 10 goals in his three games.[5][6] He was a member of the 2007-08 AIS/AFL Academy squad[7] and in 2008 represented Western Australia at the 2008 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named in the All-Australian Team.[8][9]

AFL career

Walters made his AFL debut for Fremantle in Round 11 of the 2009 AFL season at Football Park against Port Adelaide, after Hayden Ballantyne was a late withdrawal due to injury. He kicked a goal in debut match, minutes before fellow debutant and Swan Districts teammate Clancee Pearce also kicked a goal.[10]

Prior to the start of the 2012 AFL season, Walters was suspended from training with Fremantle and sent back to train and play for Swan Districts due to a poor fitness level and being overweight.[11][12] He improved his fitness and performed well for Swans, and was accepted back at Fremantle in April[13] and returned to the AFL in July, in round 16 against Melbourne. He played in every game after returning, kicking 22 goals from 10 games.[14][15] In late September 2012 Walters was re-signed for a further two years, until the end of the 2014 season.[16]

In 2013 Walters had his best season to date, kicking 46 goals and being named in the All Australian squad.

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2016 season[17]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team # Games G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
Totals Averages (per game)
2009 Fremantle 38 3 2 1 21 11 32 14 5 0.7 0.3 7.0 3.7 10.7 4.7 1.7
2010 Fremantle 38 5 8 1 52 17 69 15 12 1.6 0.2 10.4 3.4 13.8 3.0 2.4
2011 Fremantle 38 3 4 3 19 5 24 3 8 1.3 1.0 6.3 1.7 8.0 1.0 2.7
2012 Fremantle 38 10 22 11 83 36 119 40 29 2.2 1.1 8.3 3.6 11.9 4.0 2.9
2013 Fremantle 10 21 46 23 231 93 324 108 52 2.2 1.1 11.0 4.4 15.4 5.1 2.5
2014 Fremantle 10 8 15 13 79 28 107 29 20 1.9 1.6 9.9 3.5 13.4 3.6 2.5
2015 Fremantle 10 22 44 19 225 107 332 77 54 2.0 0.9 10.2 4.9 15.1 3.5 2.4
2016 Fremantle 10 22 36 21 244 157 401 91 66 1.6 1.0 11.1 7.1 18.2 4.1 3.0
Career 94 177 92 954 454 1408 377 246 1.9 1.0 10.1 4.8 15.0 4.0 2.6

References

  1. 1 2 Qualye, Emma (22 November 2008). "The street named desire". Realfooty.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  2. Broad, Ben; Countdown:Michael Walters; 25 November 2008
  3. WAFL Online Profile
  4. Butler, Steve (14 September 2012). "What the Butler heard - finals second round". The West Australian. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  5. NAB AFL Under 16 Championships - day six
  6. WA second in Under 16s National Championships
  7. AIS-AFL Academy Squad for 2007-08
  8. Emma Quayle; Vic Metro Shines Again; 20 July 2008
  9. Six State 18s named All Australian
  10. Butler, Steve. "Dockers beaten in Adelaide". The West Australian. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  11. Duffield, Mark (23 January 2012). "Dockers send unfit Walters back to WAFL". The West Australian.
  12. "Walters to train with Swan Districts". 23 January 2012.
  13. O'Donoghue, Craig and Miller, Dale (11 April 2012). "Walters ready to weigh in for Freo". The West Australian.
  14. Quayle, Emma (14 September 2012). "Back from the brink". The Age.
  15. Quartermaine, Braden (16 September 2012). "Fremantle Dockers re-sign forward Michael Walters". The Sunday Times.
  16. Walters commits to Dockers
  17. Michael Walters's player profile at AFL Tables
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