Sacked AFL Podcast: Mal Michael - The Unlikely Footy Star

PNG born Mal Michael was brought to Collingwood with no promises and very little money but was able to turn himself into the fearsome full-back of the Lions dynasty.

Mal Michael played 238 games including the historic three-peat of premierships with the Brisbane Lions.

But it might never have happened in the first place.

PNG born Michael was brought from his hometown of Brisbane to Collingwood with no promises and very little money but was able to turn himself into the fearsome full-back of the Lions dynasty.

And yet, it is the one that got away - their chance of four in a row in 2004 - that stayed with Michael for years.

Mal Michael played 238 games including the historic three-peat of premierships with the Brisbane Lions.
But it might never have happened in the first place.
PNG born Michael was brought from his hometown of Brisbane to Collingwood with no promises and very little money but was able to turn himself into the fearsome full-back of the Lions dynasty.
And yet, it is the one that got away - their chance of four in a row in 2004 - that stayed with Michael for years.

What really happens when the axe falls in the AFL world? Some of the biggest names in the sport reveal the remarkable true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.

AFL coach sackings: Go behind the scenes on the biggest dismissals

SACKED: AFL

Some of the biggest names in AFL reveal the true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.

What really happens when the axe falls in the AFL world? Some of the biggest names in the sport reveal the remarkable true stories of how they discovered their days were numbered and when the guillotine dropped.

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Mal Michael - The Unlikely Footy Star

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/f5e835ad-257c-408d-b424-b22d01819134/transcript

On July 22, 2001, Essendon did the impossible from 69 points down, and were just months out from establishing a dynasty. But in reality, it was the start of the downfall of a powerhouse.

On July 22, 2001, Essendon did the impossible from 69 points down, and were just months out from establishing a dynasty. But in reality, it was the start of the downfall of a powerhouse.

Presenting: Essendon The Lost Years | The dynasty that never was

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/3e68d5f3-7b7b-48d0-8dab-b3f100a94aad/transcript

There wouldn’t be many more qualified candidates for the final SACKED AFL episode of season six than Scott Cummings.

There wouldn’t be many more qualified candidates for the final SACKED AFL episode of season six than Scott Cummings.

The laconic goal kicker cycled through four clubs in three states across a nine year career that promised a great deal but ended due to injury at the age of just 28.

And yet Cummings could really play. He was the leading goal kicker at three of his four clubs and kicked 95 goals to win the Coleman Medal at West Coast in 1999.

But it was Collingwood - where he played just five games for six goals in one final AFL season - that set him up for his post footy life.

There wouldn&rsquo;t be many more qualified candidates for the final SACKED AFL episode of season six than Scott Cummings.
The laconic goal kicker cycled through four clubs in three states across a nine year career that promised a great deal but ended due to injury at the age of just 28.
And yet Cummings could really play. He was the leading goal kicker at three of his four clubs and kicked 95 goals to win the Coleman Medal at West Coast in 1999.
But it was Collingwood - where he played just five games for six goals in one final AFL season - that set him up for his post footy life.

Scott Cummings - Bordering on overqualified

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/60047e90-b47e-4733-bec5-b34d0037bd73/transcript

Ben Brown - the unlikely footy star from Tassie who always did footy a bit differently.

Ben Brown shares the highs and lows of his AFL career, from going undrafted to becoming a premiership player with Melbourne. Hear how he overcame adversity and self-doubt to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

In this episode of Sacked, Ben Brown opens up about his AFL journey. From getting drafted by North Melbourne at pick 47 after being overlooked in previous drafts, to becoming their leading goalkicker, and then being delisted. He shares how COVID-19 and hub life impacted his mental health and derailed contract talks with North Melbourne. We learn how he bounced back from injury and self-doubt to find form and contribute to Melbourne's drought-breaking 2021 premiership.

Key Moments:
2:30 - Getting drafted by North Melbourne after 4 tries
8:00 - Kicking his first AFL goal, a tribute to his late grandfather
15:30 - The challenge of blokey footy culture as a young player
22:00 - Struggling mentally during the 2020 hub season
32:30 - Getting delisted by North Melbourne after 10 years at the club
37:00 - Joining Melbourne and their belief he could contribute
55:00 - His resilience to regain form in the VFL and make the senior team
1:05:00 - Being part of Melbourne's epic 2021 Grand Final comeback
1:15:00 - The challenge of injuries late in his career before retirement

Listen now to hear Ben's incredible story in his own words. You'll be inspired by his resilience and determination to succeed against the odds.

Ben Brown shares the highs and lows of his AFL career, from going undrafted to becoming a premiership player with Melbourne. Hear how he overcame adversity and self-doubt to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
In this episode of Sacked, Ben Brown opens up about his AFL journey. From getting drafted by North Melbourne at pick 47 after being overlooked in previous drafts, to becoming their leading goalkicker, and then being delisted. He shares how COVID-19 and hub life impacted his mental health and derailed contract talks with North Melbourne. We learn how he bounced back from injury and self-doubt to find form and contribute to Melbourne's drought-breaking 2021 premiership.
Key Moments: 2:30 - Getting drafted by North Melbourne after 4 tries 8:00 - Kicking his first AFL goal, a tribute to his late grandfather 15:30 - The challenge of blokey footy culture as a young player 22:00 - Struggling mentally during the 2020 hub season 32:30 - Getting delisted by North Melbourne after 10 years at the club 37:00 - Joining Melbourne and their belief he could contribute 55:00 - His resilience to regain form in the VFL and make the senior team 1:05:00 - Being part of Melbourne's epic 2021 Grand Final comeback 1:15:00 - The challenge of injuries late in his career before retirement
Listen now to hear Ben's incredible story in his own words. You'll be inspired by his resilience and determination to succeed against the odds.

Ben Brown - Footy done differently

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e9befdc1-b95d-4f91-9ccf-b33e0027d2dc/transcript

Mal Michael - The Unlikely Footy Star

SACKED: AFL

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