Mick Malthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mick Malthouse |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Raymond Malthouse | ||
| Date of birth | 17 August 1953 | ||
| Place of birth | Ballarat, Victoria | ||
| Original team | North Ballarat | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Michael Raymond Malthouse (born 17 August 1953) is a famous former Australian rules football player and coach. He played for the St Kilda Football Club and Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
After his playing days, Malthouse became a very successful coach. He led teams like Footscray, West Coast, Collingwood, and Carlton. He helped the West Coast Eagles win their first two AFL championships in 1992 and 1994. Later, he guided Collingwood to their 15th VFL/AFL championship in 2010. In 2015, Malthouse set a new record for coaching the most VFL/AFL senior games, with 718 games over 31 seasons.
Since he stopped coaching, Malthouse has stayed involved in football. He often shares his thoughts on the game through media, especially on ABC Radio.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Malthouse was born in Ballarat, Victoria. His father, Ray, was a plasterer, and his mother was Marie. He also has a younger sister named Gerardine.
Playing Career Highlights
Playing for St Kilda
Mick Malthouse started his football journey with St Kilda in 1972. He had been recruited from the North Ballarat team. He played 53 senior games for St Kilda, including three finals matches. In 1976, he moved to Richmond because his coach felt he wouldn't get many chances to play in the senior team at St Kilda.
Playing for Richmond
At Richmond, Malthouse played 121 senior games. This included six finals games and the big championship win against Collingwood in the 1980 Grand Final. He was known as a strong and tough defender. In 1982, he played every game of the regular season for the first time. However, he dislocated his shoulder before the Grand Final and couldn't play. He stopped playing football in 1983.
Coaching Career Journey
Coaching Footscray: 1984–1989
In 1984, Malthouse became the senior coach for Footscray unexpectedly. He had just retired from playing and wasn't planning to coach so soon. He quickly shared his coaching idea: he wanted a team that worked together, not just individual stars. He focused on players who could work well on and off the field.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Malthouse was known for being strict with his players. The team's best finish under him was 3rd place in 1985. He was praised for his hard work and professional approach. Malthouse left the club at the end of 1989.
Leading West Coast Eagles: 1990–1999
Malthouse became the senior coach for the West Coast Eagles in 1990. He coached them for ten years. In 1991, the Eagles had an amazing start, winning their first 12 games. They finished first in the regular season for the first time in the club's history.
Under Malthouse, the West Coast Eagles made it to the finals every year. They won two championships in 1992 and 1994. They also reached the Grand Final in 1991 but finished as runners-up. Malthouse left the West Coast Eagles at the end of the 1999 season.
Coaching Collingwood: 2000–2011
In 2000, Malthouse became the senior coach for Collingwood. He took over after the club finished last in 1999. He led Collingwood to the finals in eight of his twelve seasons. They played in the Grand Final in 2002, 2003, 2010 (twice), and 2011.
In 2002, Malthouse guided Collingwood to the 2002 AFL Grand Final. They lost to the Brisbane Lions by nine points. In 2003, they reached the 2003 AFL Grand Final again, but lost to Brisbane once more.
In 2009, Collingwood's president announced a plan for Malthouse to hand over coaching duties to assistant coach Nathan Buckley at the end of the 2011 season. In 2010, Malthouse led Collingwood to a championship win. After a drawn Grand Final, Collingwood won the replay against St Kilda by 56 points in the 2010 AFL Grand Final. This was Collingwood's biggest Grand Final win ever and their first championship since 1990.
In 2011, Malthouse coached Collingwood to another Grand Final, this time against the Geelong Cats. Collingwood lost the 2011 AFL Grand Final to Geelong by 38 points. This was his last game as Collingwood's senior coach.
Coaching Carlton: 2013–2015
Malthouse was announced as the senior coach of the Carlton Football Club in September 2012. He replaced Brett Ratten. In 2013, Carlton finished ninth but moved up to eighth place and made the finals. This happened after another team was penalized for a supplements issue. Carlton then beat Richmond in an elimination final, making Malthouse the most successful finals coach ever. However, Carlton lost to the Sydney Swans in the semi-final.
Carlton struggled in the following years. In 2014, they finished 13th. In 2015, the team was last after eight games. On 26 May 2015, Malthouse was removed as Carlton's senior coach. This happened after he made some critical comments about the club's leaders in a radio interview.
Life After Coaching
After his coaching career, Mick Malthouse continued to be involved in football through media. He worked as a commentator for SEN 1116 and the Seven Network. He also wrote for The West Australian newspaper. Since 2017, he has been a commentator for the ABC's football coverage.
In 2012, La Trobe University named Malthouse a Vice Chancellor's Fellow. In this role, he worked with students and staff to help develop sports programs at the university. He believed that real-world experience, teamwork, and leadership skills are very important for education.
Mick Malthouse's Legacy
Malthouse is seen as a strong and determined leader in football. People describe him as an "old-fashioned" coach who loved the game and always wanted to win. He was very good at adapting to the changing game of Australian Rules Football.
West Coast Eagles CEO Brian Cook said Malthouse was dedicated and determined. He was very consistent and had clear ideas about how his players should train and play. Cook also noted that Malthouse was great at finding players with good character and helping them become excellent footballers.
Collingwood Football Club operations manager Neil Balme said Malthouse was unique. He loved the game and encouraged players to be honest. Balme called him "very much a footballer's footballer."
Carlton Football Club captain Marc Murphy played under Malthouse. He said Malthouse was a great coach but felt that Malthouse's time at Carlton didn't work out well for the players. Murphy described Malthouse as a very strict leader.
Another former Carlton player, Troy Menzel, had a positive experience with Malthouse. Menzel said he got along well with Mick and learned a lot from him. He praised Malthouse's amazing football brain and how he explained things.
Achievements and Honours
Playing Honours
- VFL/AFL Premiership with Richmond: 1980
Coaching Honours
- VFL/AFL Premiership with West Coast: 1992, 1994
- VFL/AFL Premiership with Collingwood: 2010
- McClelland Trophy (regular season champion) with West Coast: 1991, 1994
- McClelland Trophy with Collingwood: 2010, 2011
- Pre-Season Cup with Collingwood: 2011
- Jock McHale Medal (best coach award): 1992, 1994, 2010
- All-Australian coach: 1991, 2010
- Coach for Australia in International Rules Football: 2008, 2010
- Coach for Western Australia State of Origin: 1991–1993
- West Coast Eagles Hall of Fame
- AFLCA Coach of the Year: 2010
- Most games coached at AFL/VFL level.
- 3rd most wins as coach of all time.
Family Life
Malthouse is married and has four children. One of his children is sports reporter and AFL boundary rider Christi Malthouse.
Images for kids
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Mick Malthouse at Moomba
