Michael Mitchell (Australian rules footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Mitchell |
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| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 25 November 1961 | ||
| Original team | Carnarvon Juniors / Claremont (WAFL) | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Michael Mitchell (born November 25, 1961) is a former Indigenous Australian rules footballer. He played for the Claremont Football Club in Western Australia. He also played for the Richmond Football Club in the VFL/AFL. Michael was known for his exciting style of play. He originally came from Carnarvon, Western Australia.
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Michael Mitchell's Football Journey
Michael Mitchell started his senior football career with the Claremont Football Club. This club plays in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). The WAFL is a major football league in Western Australia.
Shining in Western Australia
Michael quickly became a star player. In 1984, he won the Sandover Medal. This award is given to the best and fairest player in the WAFL. It's a very important award! He was also chosen as an All-Australian player in 1985 and 1986. Being All-Australian means you are one of the best players in the country.
Moving to the Big League: Richmond
In May 1986, Michael signed with the Richmond Football Club. This team plays in the Victorian Football League (VFL). The VFL later became known as the AFL. He started playing for Richmond in the 1987 season.
Michael was seen as one of the most exciting players in the VFL. He played during a time when Richmond was not having great seasons. He was known for his amazing speed and his ability to jump very high.
Winning Top Awards
In 1990, Michael Mitchell achieved something special. He won both the Mark of the Year and the Goal of the Year awards. This means he made the best mark (a catch) and scored the best goal in the entire league that year! As of 2024, he is only the second player ever to win both awards in the same year. The first was Peter Bosustow in 1981.
Even though Michael was a lightly built player, he was also known for being a strong tackler. He was great at chasing down opponents to get the ball back. His career ended earlier than expected due to injuries he got while playing.
Life After Football
After his time in the AFL, Michael Mitchell returned to Western Australia.
