Michael Wilson (Australian footballer)

For the New Zealand footballer, see Michael Wilson (New Zealand footballer).
For other people named Michael Wilson, see Michael Wilson (disambiguation).
Michael Wilson
Personal information
Nickname(s) Wilbur
Date of birth (1976-11-21) 21 November 1976
Original team(s) Port Adelaide (SANFL)
Height / weight 181 cm / 89 kg
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1995–1996, 2003
1997–2008
Total		 Port Adelaide (SANFL)
Port Adelaide (AFL)		 42 (10)
192 (51)
234 (61)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
1997 South Australia 1 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2008.
Career highlights
  • AFL premiership player (2004)
  • 2× SANFL Port Adelaide premiership player (1995, 1996)
  • Port Adelaide vice-captain (2006–2007)
  • AFL Rising Star nominee: 1997

Michael Robert Wilson (born 21 November 1976) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL) and the South Australian National Football League (SANFL)

AFL career

Success (1997–2006)

Affectionately known as 'Wilbur', Wilson was one of the talented crop of youngsters making the transition from the SANFL to the national league as part of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL squad in 1997. Playing primarily as an onballer Wilson immediately made an impression and took out the 1997 AFL Rising Star award as the league's best young prospect in his debut season.[1] From 1998 onward, Wilson played primarily as a medium-sized defender rotating through the midfield on occasion.

With a pair of SANFL premiership medallions already in his keeping by age 19, Wilson was able to add the AFL equivalent in 2004, capping a brilliant individual season with a sturdy performance in Port Adelaide's first AFL flag win over the thrice reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions. His high level of play was all the more remarkable given he had required a double shoulder reconstruction for some time.[2]

Injury and retirement (2007–2008)

With a tremendous work ethic and a fearless disposition on the field, Wilson overcame both his shoulder problems and other serious injuries including two knee reconstructions[3] to remain a vital part of the Power lineup a decade on.

In 2007 Wilson snapped his achilles tendon in Port's win over North Melbourne in the Preliminary Final and missed the Grand Final against Geelong.

Wilson announced his retirement from AFL football on 5 August 2008.[4]

Playing Statistics

[5]
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)
1997 Port Adelaide 15 22 13 11 270 149 419 58 37 0.6 0.5 12.3 6.8 19.0 2.6 1.7
1998 Port Adelaide 15 21 8 5 221 120 341 68 39 0.4 0.2 10.5 5.7 16.2 3.2 1.9
1999 Port Adelaide 15 23 3 4 191 101 292 63 26 0.1 0.2 8.3 4.4 12.7 2.7 1.1
2000 Port Adelaide 15 21 6 2 198 88 286 47 38 0.3 0.1 9.4 4.2 13.6 2.2 1.8
2001 Port Adelaide 15 11 3 1 91 61 152 28 20 0.3 0.1 8.3 5.5 13.8 2.5 1.8
2002 Port Adelaide 15 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
2003 Port Adelaide 21 15 2 1 104 60 164 54 31 0.1 0.1 6.9 4.0 10.9 3.6 2.1
2004 Port Adelaide 21 23 9 8 228 167 395 93 62 0.4 0.3 9.9 7.3 17.2 4.0 2.7
2005 Port Adelaide 21 16 0 2 142 89 231 65 41 0.0 0.1 8.9 5.6 14.4 4.1 2.6
2006 Port Adelaide 21 16 3 4 120 80 200 68 33 0.2 0.3 7.5 5.0 12.5 4.3 2.1
2007 Port Adelaide 21 19 4 1 161 121 282 83 42 0.2 0.1 8.5 6.4 14.8 4.4 2.2
2008 Port Adelaide 21 5 0 0 37 22 59 13 8 0.0 0.0 7.4 4.4 11.8 2.6 1.6
Career 192 51 39 1763 1058 2821 640 377 0.3 0.2 9.2 5.5 14.7 3.3 2.0

Notes

  1. ↑ "NAB AFL Rising Star", Official AFL Website. Accessed 17 May 2007.
  2. ↑ "Port head downhill with Wilson out", FootyGoss. Accessed 17 May 2007.
  3. ↑ "List of players who have previously undergone ACL reconstruction", injuryupdate.com.au. Accessed 17 May 2007.
  4. ↑ "Port Hero Wilson Retires", The Age, 5 August 2008. http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/port-hero-wilson-retires/2008/08/05/1217702006289.html Accessed 5 August 2008.
  5. ↑ Michael Wilson's player profile at AFL Tables
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