Michael Polley (footballer)

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Michael Polley

| image =

| fullname = Michael Polley

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|9|14|df=y}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| originalteam = Hadfield / Northern Knights / Prahran

| draftpick = 34th overall, 1994 National Draft
({{AFL Mel}})
54th overall, 1997 Rookie Draft
({{AFL Col}})

| height = 180 cm

| weight = 78 kg

| position = Midfielder

| guernsey = 14

| statsend = 1996

| years1 = 1995–1996

| club1 = {{AFL Mel}}

| games_goals1 = 5 (0)

| years2 = 1997

| club2 = {{AFL Col}}

| games_goals2 = 0 (0)

| games_goalstotal = 5 (0)

| careerhighlights =

}}

Michael Polley (born 14 September 1976) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life

Originally from Hadfield Football Club in the Essendon District Football League, Polley was selected to play for TAC Cup side, Northern Knights.{{Ref AFL Encyc|9th|687}} Along with playing for the Knights, in 1994 Polley also played six games for Prahran Football Club in the Victorian Football Association.{{cite news|title=1994 AFL National Draft|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news941028_0251_7460|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=28 October 1994}} In the lead-up to the 1994 National Draft, Melbourne coach Neil Balme stated the Demons were looking for "the best available but with a bit of an emphasis on speed and midfield players". Polley, a midfielder known for his speed, was subsequently draft by Melbourne with the 34th selection in the draft.{{cite web|title=Northern Knights AFL Draftees incl. rookie listed|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-3020-111703-0-0&sID=55897&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=4877854§ionID=55897|publisher=Northern Knights|accessdate=11 May 2011|date=19 November 2010}}

AFL career

An 18-year-old at the time he was drafted, Polley spent his first season with Melbourne developing in the reserves. For the last match of the 1995 home and away season, Polley was named as an emergency in the squad, but was not required to play.{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Martin|title=Do-or-die Demons call up youngster for first game|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news950831_0147_5294|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=31 August 1995}} After a season's development, Polley was one of several young players at Melbourne that were expected to "take the next step" in 1996.{{cite news|last=Balme|first=Neil|title=Facing up to the challenge|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960225_0153_9534|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=25 February 1996}} Due to the Demons need for pace,{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Martin|title=Melbourne battling to keep pace with rivals|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960408_0117_6931|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=8 April 1996}} Polley was named to make his AFL debut in the second round of the season,{{cite news|last=Happell|first=Charles|title=Collingwood v Melbourne|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960404_0209_5708|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=4 April 1996}}{{cite news|title=Round 2|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960405_0265_8927|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=5 April 1996}} but was ultimately not selected. After being suspended for one week and injuring his hand in May,{{cite news|title=AFL injury list|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960507_0169_4011|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=7 May 1996}}{{cite news|title=AFL injury list|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960514_0116_8450|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=14 May 1996}} Polley finally made his AFL debut against Essendon in round 9.{{cite news|last=Happell|first=Charles|title=Essendon v Melbourne|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960523_0199_8555|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=23 May 1996}}{{cite news|title=AFL – Round 9|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960524_0277_2907|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=24 May 1996}}{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Martin|title=Carey set to line up against Fitzroy|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news960523_0133_1518|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=23 May 1996}} Despite having 15 disposals, Polley was dropped back to the reserves the following week. He was recalled for Melbourne's round 12 clash with the Brisbane Bears and retained his place in the side for four consecutive matches, until a poor performance against Richmond. Polley failed to play another senior match for the rest of the year and, at season's end, he was delisted by Melbourne.{{cite news|last=Denham|first=Greg|last2=Reilly|first2=Stephen|title=Fairley to play on next year|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news961016_0207_0537|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=16 October 1996}}{{cite news|title=Who your club delisted|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news961018_0226_5214|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=18 October 1996}}

After being delisted, Polley trained with Essendon in the hope of being drafted by the Bombers.{{cite news|last=Denham|first=Greg|last2=Linnell|first2=Stephen|title=Tudor in training with Bulldogs|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news961121_0177_4971|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=21 November 1996}} Instead, it was Collingwood that selected Polley with the 54th selection in the 1997 Rookie Draft.{{cite news|last=Denham|first=Greg|title=Ex-Don gets new chance via draft|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=age&kw=Michael+Polley+AND+Melbourne&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=0&clsPage=1&docID=news970226_0230_0266|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Age|date=26 February 1997}} Polley was unable to break into Collingwood's senior team and was delisted by the Magpies after only one season at the club.{{cite web|title=Draft History|url=http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/draft%20history/tabid/11359/default.aspx|publisher=Collingwood Football Club|accessdate=11 May 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429222228/http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/draft%20history/tabid/11359/default.aspx|archivedate=29 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20120320015806/http://www.melbournefc.com.au/players/playerprofile/michaelpolley/tabid/8357/playerid/22123/category/past/season/2010/selected/bio/default.aspx Michael Polley's profile] at the Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club
{{AFL Tables|M/Michael_Polley}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:Living people

Category:Melbourne Football Club players

Category:Northern Knights players

Category:Prahran Football Club players