Michael Walters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Walters |
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Walters playing for the All-Stars in 2020
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Walters | ||
| Nickname(s) | Sonny Walters Sonny | ||
| Date of birth | 7 January 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Woodvale, Western Australia, Australia | ||
| Original team | Swan Districts (WAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 53, 2008 national draft | ||
| Position(s) | Forward / midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Fremantle Football club | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Michael Walters (born January 7, 1991) is an Australian rules football star. He plays for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Michael has spent most of his career as a small forward. He has been Fremantle's top goalkicker five times. In 2019, he was chosen for the All-Australian team for the first time.
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Michael's Early Football Days
Michael Walters is a very skilled player. He mostly plays as a midfielder or forward. Fremantle chose him with the 53rd pick. This happened in the 2008 AFL Draft.
He first played for Swan Districts in 2008. This was in the West Australian Football League. He played two matches that year. Michael's nickname is Son-son. He lived on the same street as his old teammates. These included Nic Naitanui and Chris Yarran. Michael's father, Mike, also played football. He played for Central District.
Junior Achievements and Awards
In 2007, Michael played for Western Australia. This was at the Under 16 Championships. He won the Kevin Sheehan Medal that year. He shared the award with Tom Scully. This award is for the best player in the championships. Michael kicked 10 goals in three games. He was also part of the 2007-08 AIS/AFL Academy squad. In 2008, he played for Western Australia again. This was at the 2008 AFL Under 18 Championships. He was named in the All-Australian Team for his great play.
Michael's AFL Career Highlights
Michael Walters first played in the AFL in 2009. It was Round 11 against Port Adelaide. He kicked a goal in his very first game. His teammate, Clancee Pearce, also kicked a goal.
Getting Back on Track
Before the 2012 season, Michael had a challenge. He was told to improve his fitness. He went back to play for Swan Districts. He worked hard and got back in shape. Fremantle welcomed him back in April. Michael returned to the AFL in July. He played in every game after that. He kicked 22 goals in 10 games. Fremantle then signed him for two more years.
Top Goalkicker and All-Australian
In 2013, Michael had his best season yet. He kicked 46 goals in 21 games. He was named in the All-Australian 40-man squad. He also won his first award as Fremantle's leading goalkicker. In 2015, he continued to score many goals. He kicked 44 goals in 22 games. This earned him his second leading goalkicker award.
In 2017, he had a fantastic game against St Kilda. He had 32 disposals and kicked 6 goals. He got injured later that season. Despite this, he finished with 22 goals from 17 games. He also joined Fremantle's leadership group.
In 2018, Michael spent more time in the midfield. He averaged 19.8 disposals per game. This was his highest average so far. He won his fourth leading goalkicker award. He kicked 22 goals in 18 games. He was also a finalist for Mark of the Year. This was for a high-flying mark against the West Coast Eagles.
Big Moments and Milestones
Michael started 2019 in amazing form. He kicked a behind after the siren in Round 10. This gave Fremantle a one-point win. It was against the Brisbane Lions. The next week, he kicked a winning goal. It was against Collingwood with 30 seconds left. His best game was in Round 13. He kicked 6 goals and had 25 disposals. He received his first All-Australian selection in 2019. He was named as a half-forward.
In the 2022 season, Michael returned to playing forward. He played his 200th game in Round 23. He kicked three goals in Fremantle's win. He also kicked three goals in the elimination final. This helped Fremantle beat the Western Bulldogs.
Michael missed the first game of the 2023 season. He had an Achilles tendon injury. He came on as a substitute in Round 2. He kicked two goals in that game. In Round 3, he kicked four goals. This was in the Western Derby win. He also kicked four goals in Round 5. This was during the AFL's first Gather Round. In June 2023, Michael signed for two more years. He signed with fellow veteran Nat Fyfe.
In 2024, Michael kicked his 350th goal. This was in Round 2 against North Melbourne. He was one of Fremantle's best players in Round 3. He had 21 disposals and kicked two goals. He had a hamstring injury in Round 14. He played four more games as a substitute. In Round 19, he kicked a season-high four goals. He also had 16 disposals in a big win.
Michael's Life Outside Football
Michael Walters has three daughters.
In October 2023, he became the number one ticket holder. This was for the Perth Lynx basketball team. In March 2024, he also became the number one ticket holder for the Cockburn Cougars. This is another local sports team.
Career Statistics
- Statistics are correct to the end of round 24, 2024
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 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 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 |
| 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 | 6 |
| 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 | 0 |
| 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 | 3 |
| 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 | 3 |
| 2017 | Fremantle | 10 | 17 | 22 | 14 | 197 | 130 | 327 | 74 | 45 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 11.6 | 7.6 | 19.2 | 4.4 | 2.6 | 10 |
| 2018 | Fremantle | 10 | 18 | 22 | 14 | 206 | 150 | 356 | 65 | 59 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 11.4 | 8.3 | 19.8 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 8 |
| 2019 | Fremantle | 10 | 22 | 40 | 17 | 303 | 176 | 479 | 83 | 78 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 13.8 | 8.0 | 21.8 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 11 |
| 2020 | Fremantle | 10 | 14 | 15 | 7 | 145 | 102 | 247 | 44 | 40 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 10.4 | 7.3 | 17.6 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 8 |
| 2021 | Fremantle | 10 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 147 | 76 | 223 | 63 | 33 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 9.2 | 4.8 | 13.9 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 0 |
| 2022 | Fremantle | 10 | 21 | 25 | 15 | 172 | 124 | 296 | 82 | 57 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 8.1 | 5.9 | 14.0 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 0 |
| 2023 | Fremantle | 10 | 20 | 33 | 13 | 127 | 72 | 199 | 56 | 33 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 10.0 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0 |
| 2024 | Fremantle | 10 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 90 | 59 | 149 | 43 | 31 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 8.7 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0 |
| Career | 239 | 365 | 196 | 2341 | 1343 | 3684 | 887 | 622 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 9.7 | 5.6 | 15.4 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 49 | ||
Honours and Achievements
Team Awards
- McClelland Trophy (Fremantle) 2015
- WAFL Premiership Player (Swan Districts) 2010
Individual Awards
- 5× Fremantle leading goalkicker: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- All-Australian team: 2019
- 22under22 team: 2013
- Fremantle 25 since ‘95 Team
- Fremantle Life Member: 2019
