Max Michalanney

Michalanney is the son of Jim Michalanney who played 211 games and won 4 premierships with Norwood in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).{{cite news

|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/882783/father-son-debutant-max-michalanney-to-create-crows-history-ex-pie-tyler-brown-named |access-date=11 April 2023 |title=Father–son debutant to create Crows’ history, ex-pie named |publisher=AFL |date=16 March 2023}}

As a junior he progressed to play three senior games for Norwood in the SANFL. He previously played junior football for Glenunga Rams and school football for Rostrevor. Despite living in the Sturt development zone, he was able to join Norwood under the SANFL father son rule.{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Matt |date=June 3, 2022 |title=Draft watch: Max Michalanney is hoping to join Adelaide as a father–son selection |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/draft-watch-max-michalanney-is-hoping-to-join-adelaide-as-a-fatherson-selection/news-story/daf4a500402e9a75466b5981927bbd64?amp&nk=da319103f1b0c8740a69273272a14c1e-1684730480 |access-date=22 May 2023}} While representing South Australia in the National Championships he was rewarded for his consistency by winning All-Australian selection.https://www.nmfc.com.au/news/1250667/kevin-sheehan-reveals-his-top-40-prospects-in-the-2022-nab-afl-draft

Michalanney was drafted by Adelaide with pick 17 of the 2022 national draft under the father–son rule, after they matched a bid by Sydney Swans.{{cite news |url=https://www.afc.com.au/players/8620/max-michalanney |access-date=19 March 2023 |title=Max Michalanney |publisher=Adelaide Football Club |date=15 March 2023}} He impressed in pre-season, including in a practice match against West Coast during which he limited Liam Ryan to 10 touches.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/max-michalanney-travelling-really-well-ahead-of-possible-debut/news-story/1b0661483e01c2d984a4b2970f791365|title=Max Michalanney ‘travelling really well’ ahead of possible debut|first=Ed|last=Bourke|newspaper=News.com.au|date=9 March 2023}} The following week, the club confirmed he would debut in the first round of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.zerohanger.com/adelaide-confirm-debut-for-father-son-draftee-max-michalanney-134205/|title=Adelaide confirm debut for father–son draftee Max Michalanney|first=Mitch|last=Keating|website=Zero Hanger|date=16 March 2023}} He played his first game against Greater Western Sydney in Round 1 of the 2023 AFL season. He had 12 disposals in their disappointing loss.{{Cite web |title=AFL Tables - Greater Western Sydney v Adelaide - Sun, 19-Mar-2023 1:10 PM (12:10 PM) - Match Stats |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2023/012120230319.html |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=afltables.com}} In Round 4 of 2023, Michalanney had a strong defensive showing, collecting 16 disposals, was rewarded with five coach votes, and was praised by former player and coach Nathan Buckley.{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/04/11/he-will-be-a-star-high-praise-for-crows-youngster-and-unheralded-adelaide/|title="He will be a star": High praise for Crows youngster and "unheralded" Adelaide defence |first=Andrew|last=Slevison|publisher=1116 SEN|date=11 April 2023}} In Round 5 of 2023, after a dominant display against Carlton in which he had 10 disposals and 4 marks, Michalanney was nominated for the 2023 AFL Rising Star.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1310636/crows-father-son-earns-rising-star-nomination|first=Daniela|last=Harvey|date=17 April 2023|title=Crows father son earns Rising Star nomination|work=AFC.com.au|access-date=18 April 2023}} Michalanney credited his good start to the season to his father's mantra,{{cite news|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/news/afl-2023-all-the-adelaide-crows-news-ahead-of-round-4-clash-with-fremantle/news-story/29f4cc548a757d141f77e6db8b897915|title=‘Flog the daylights out of them’: Mantra driving young Crow|newspaper=The Advertiser|date=9 April 2023|url-access=subscription}} which may have influenced his signature on a two-year contract{{cite web|title=Max Michalanney inks new two-year deal with Crows|work=ESPN|date=June 20, 2023|url=https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/37882150/afl-max-michalanney-inks-new-two-year-deal-adelaide-crows}} during Adelaide's bye round of 2023, securing him at the club until the end of 2026. Michalanney was the recipient of the Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award in 2023, awarded to Adelaide's highest achieving player under the age of 21.{{cite web|title=Michalanney claims Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1448596/michalanney-claims-mark-bickley-emerging-talent-award#:~:text=The%20Mark%20Bickley%20Emerging%20Talent,a%20debut%20in%20Round%20One.|date=7 October 2023}}

2024 was a year of continued growth for Michalanney, who became a strong player in Adelaide's defence. He spent a small amount of time in Adelaide's midfield when star players were out of form, particularly in round 13 against {{AFL Ric}}. The move resulted in a career-best 25 disposals and 11 marks, but ultimately Michalanney returned down back. He found himself in strife when he escaped suspension after striking {{AFL Haw}} forward Nick Watson.{{cite web|title=Luke Hodge surprised Crows pair escaped suspension after melee “cheap shot”|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/07/30/luke-hodge-surprised-crows-pair-escaped-suspension-after-melee-cheap-shot/|date=30 July 2024|first=Nic|last=Negrepontis|publisher=SEN 1116}} Michalanney's season was rewarded with a nomination in the 22under22 squad,{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1622047/three-crows-named-in-22under22-squad|title=Three Crows named in 22Under22 squad|website=afc.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club|date=8 August 2024}} but failed to qualify for the final team. Michalanney finished fourth in the Malcolm Blight Medal in just his second season at AFL level.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1673418/all-the-award-winners-from-the-2024-crows-club-champion|first=Daniela|last=Harvey|title=All the award winners from the 2024 Crows Club Champion|date=5 October 2024|website=afc.com.au}}

Prior to the 2025 season, Michalanney played an internal trial match in Port Pirie and dislocated a thumb. Avoiding the need for surgery, his pre-season was cut short but looks likely to return in time for round one of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1269762/emerging-crow-max-michalanney-to-miss-rest-of-pre-season-hopeful-of-r1-return|title=Emerging Crow to miss rest of pre-season, hopeful of R1 return|date=19 February 2025|website=afl.com.au|language=en}} Michalaney kicked his first career goal in the round 6 win over {{AFL GWS}}. Also keeping direct opponent Toby Greene to minimum impact, the defender picked up five coaches votes.{{cite web|title=What happens when a defender kicks his first AFL goal?|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1763176/what-happens-when-a-defender-kicks-his-first-afl-goal|date=21 April 2025|first=Daniela|last=Harvey|website=afc.com.au}}

:Updated to the end of 2024.{{cite web |title=Max Michalanney |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Max_Michalanney.html |access-date=29 July 2024 |work=AFL Tables}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start}}

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL Ade}} || 16

| 22 || 0 || 0 || 159 || 78 || 237 || 80 || 75 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 7.2 || 3.5 || 10.7 || 3.6 || 3.4

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Ade}} || 16

| 23 || 0 || 1 || 212 || 130 || 342 || 122 || 67 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 9.2 || 5.7 || 14.9 || 5.3 || 2.9

|- class=sortbottom

! colspan=3 | Career

! 45 !! 0 !! 1 !! 371 !! 208 !! 579 !! 202 !! 142 !! 0.0 !! 0.0 !! 8.2 !! 4.6 !! 12.9 !! 4.5 !! 3.2

|}

{{reflist}}

• {{Adelplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}

{{Adelaide player squad}}

{{2023 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2022 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Michalanney, Max}}

Category:2004 births

Category:Living people

Category:Norwood Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia

Category:Adelaide Football Club players

Category:People educated at Rostrevor College

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen