Michael Walters

A highly skilled player who mainly plays as a midfielder or forward,Broad, Ben; [http://afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=69478 Countdown:Michael Walters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609151214/http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=69478 |date=9 June 2012 }}; 25 November 2008 Walters was selected by Fremantle with the 53rd pick in the 2008 AFL Draft. He had made his senior debut for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League in 2008, playing 2 matches.[http://www.waflonline.com.au/players/player.php?playerID=12483 WAFL Online Profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013041915/http://www.waflonline.com.au/players/player.php?playerID=12483 |date=13 October 2009 }} Nicknamed Son-son, he lived on the same street in Midvale as his former Swan Districts teammates and fellow 2008 AFL draftees Nic Naitanui and Chris Yarran.{{cite news|url=http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/11/21/1226770748239.html?page=fullpage |title=The street named desire |last=Qualye |first=Emma |date=22 November 2008 |publisher=Realfooty.street-named-desire-20091124-j83n.html }} Walters' father Mike played for Central District in the South Australian National Football League.{{cite news|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/14851220/what-the-butler-heard-finals-second-round/|title=What the Butler heard - finals second round|first=Steve |last=Butler|work=The West Australian|date=14 September 2012|access-date=15 September 2012}}

In 2007 he represented Western Australia at the Under 16 Championships and won the Kevin Sheehan Medal (shared with Tom Scully) as the best player in the championships, after kicking 10 goals in his three games.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110524194944/http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=48599 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships - day six][http://www.wafootball.com.au/news-archive/246-wa-second-in-under-16s-national-championships WA second in Under 16s National Championships] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216090513/http://www.wafootball.com.au/news-archive/246-wa-second-in-under-16s-national-championships |date=16 February 2012 }} He was a member of the 2007-08 AIS/AFL Academy squad[http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=55257&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=4873188 Two Queenslanders Names in 2007-08 AIS/AFL Academy] and in 2008 represented Western Australia at the 2008 AFL Under 18 Championships and was named in the All-Australian Team.Emma Quayle; [http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/vic-metro-shines-again/2008/07/19/1216163236099.html Vic Metro Shines Again]; 20 July 2008

Walters made his AFL debut for Fremantle in Round 11 of the 2009 AFL season at Football Park against Port Adelaide, after Hayden Ballantyne was a late withdrawal due to injury. He kicked a goal in his debut match, minutes before fellow debutant and Swan Districts teammate Clancee Pearce also kicked a goal.{{cite news|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/dockers/5804504/dockers-beaten-in-adelaide/|title=Dockers beaten in Adelaide|last=Butler|first=Steve|work=The West Australian|access-date=21 May 2012}}

Prior to the start of the 2012 AFL season, Walters was suspended from training with Fremantle and sent back to train and play for Swan Districts due to a poor fitness level and being overweight.{{cite news|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/afl/12691467/dockers-send-unfit-walters-back-to-wafl/|title=Dockers send unfit Walters back to WAFL|first=Mark|last=Duffield|work=The West Australian|date=23 January 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7009/newsid/128101/default.aspx|title=Walters to train with Swan Districts|date=23 January 2012|access-date=15 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230163837/http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7009/newsid/128101/default.aspx|archive-date=30 December 2012|url-status=dead}} He improved his fitness and performed well for Swans, and was accepted back at Fremantle in April.{{cite news|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/dockers/13389695/walters-ready-to-weigh-in-for-freo/|title=Walters ready to weigh in for Freo|author1=O'Donoghue, Craig | author2= Miller, Dale|work=The West Australian|date=11 April 2012}} Walters returned to the AFL in July, in round 16 against Melbourne. He played in every game after returning, kicking 22 goals from 10 games.{{cite news|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/afl-news/back-from-the-brink-20120913-25vcg.html|work=The Age|title=Back from the brink|date=14 September 2012|first=Emma|last=Quayle}}{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/fremantle-dockers-re-sign-forward-michael-walters/story-fndv7pj3-1226474904557|title=Fremantle Dockers re-sign forward Michael Walters|first=Braden |last=Quartermaine |work=The Sunday Times|date=16 September 2012}} In late September 2012 Walters was re-signed for a further two years, until the end of the 2014 season.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-27/walter-commits-to-dockers/4282898 Walters commits to Dockers]

In 2013 Walters had his best season to date, kicking 46 goals From 21 games, was named in the initial All Australian 40-man squad and won his first Fremantle leading goal-kicker award.

In 2015, he had another consistent goal-kicking season, which saw him kick 44 goals across 22 games, winning his second Fremantle leading goal-kicker award.

In the 2017 season, his standout performance came in Round 15, at Domain stadium against St Kilda, where he collected a team-high 32 disposals and kicked 6 goals. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season after injuring his Posterior Cruciate Ligament in his left knee, in Fremantle's loss to Hawthorn in Round 18. Despite being moved into the midfield towards the middle of the season, he finished the season with 22 goals from 17 games. He became a member of Fremantle's leadership group in 2017.{{cite news |last1=Duffield |first1=Mark |title=Walters heeds lessons from past |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/michael-walters-heeds-lessons-from-past-on-journey-to-fremantle-dockers-leadership-group-ng-f6bd4ba7b9875e84356ad9d64eb4a839 |access-date=12 October 2019 |work=PerthNow |date=16 February 2017 |language=en}}

In 2018, especially after the suspension and subsequent injury to Nat Fyfe, Walters spent increasing amounts of time in the midfield, where he finished the season averaging 19.8 disposals per game, his highest average in his career so far.

He won Fremantle's leading goal-kicker award, his 4th for the club, kicking 22 goals from 18 games.

He was a finalist for Mark of the Year, where he was nominated for his high-flying mark on Jeremy McGovern, against the West Coast Eagles in Round 20.

Walters started 2019 in blazing fashion, averaging career-high figures. In Round 10, he kicked a behind after the siren to give the Dockers a 1-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Optus stadium.{{cite news|title=Freo thriller: Michael Walters point seals Fremantle Dockers win against Brisbane Lions|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/freo-thriller-michael-walters-point-seals-thrilling-fremantle-dockers-win-against-brisbane-lions-ng-b881211562z|access-date=12 June 2022|language=en}} The following week in the Round 11 clash with Collingwood at the MCG, Walters kicked a goal with 30 seconds remaining to give the Dockers a 4-point lead which ultimately won them the game. Arguably, his best performance came in Round 13 when Fremantle played Port Adelaide at Optus stadium. He kicked 6.1 and picked up 25 disposals in the 21-point victory, and was awarded the maximum 10 in the AFLCA votes for his performance. Walters received his first All-Australian selection named in the 2019 All-Australian team as a half forward.{{cite news|title='I'm enjoying my footy': Sonny side up for reborn Dockers star|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/795156/sonny-side-up-for-reborn-dockers-star|access-date=4 September 2022|work=afl.com.au|language=en}}

The 2022 AFL season saw Walters make his return as a forward after spending time in the midfield in recent seasons.{{cite news|title=Veteran's four-second role change leaves 'JL' scrambling|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/705035/veterans-four-second-role-change-leaves-jl-scrambling|access-date=4 September 2022|work=afl.com.au|language=en}} Walters played his 200th game during Fremantle's round 23 clash against GWS, he played a pivotal role kicking three goals in Fremantle's 20 point win.{{cite news|title=Fremantle Dockers forward Michael Walters explains ‘M’ goal celebration after brilliant milestone game v GWS|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/fremantle-dockers-forward-michael-walters-explains-m-goal-celebration-after-brilliant-milestone-game-v-gws-c-7962438|access-date=4 September 2022|work=perthnow.com.au|language=en}} Walters played a crucial role in Fremantle's elimination final victory over the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium kicking three goals.{{cite news|title=AFL Finals 2022: Michael Walters stars as Fremantle Dockers stun Western Bulldogs in huge comeback|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/walters-stars-as-dockers-stun-bulldogs-c-8110424|access-date=4 September 2022|work=perthnow.com.au|language=en}}

Walters missed Fremantle's first game of the 2023 AFL season against St Kilda due to an Achilles tendon injury.{{cite news|title=No Ross reunion for Sonny, Freo's forgotten forward in the mix|first=Nathan |last=Schmook|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/882771/no-ross-reunion-for-michael-walters-fremantle-forgotten-forward-sam-sturt-in-the-mix|access-date=26 March 2023|work=afl.com.au|language=en}} Walters was named as the emergency substitute in Fremantle's round 2 clash against North Melbourne. He entered the game in the third quarter kicking two goals.{{cite news|title=Freo go down to Roos in frantic finish|first=Nathan |last=Schmook|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1291496/freo-go-down-to-roos-in-frantic-finish|access-date=26 March 2023|work=fremantlefc.com.au|language=en}} The Round 3 Western Derby saw Walters kick four goals during Fremantle's 41 point win over West Coast.{{cite news|title=Western derby 56: Fremantle Dockers take step forward according to coach Justin Longmuir|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/western-derby-56-fremantle-dockers-take-step-forward-according-to-coach-justin-longmuir-c-10231981|access-date= 17 June 2023|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|work=perthnow.com.au|language=en}} Walters kicked four goals in round 5 during Fremantle's 10 point win over {{AFL GC}}, which was played at Norwood Oval in Adelaide, due to the AFL's inaugural Gather Round.{{cite news|title=Dockers dig deep to claw past Suns in a thriller|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/4821#match-report|access-date= 10 July 2023|last=Kimber|first=Howard|work=afl.com.au|language=en}}

In April 2023 Walters was subjected to racial and homophobic abuse on social media, along with teammate Nathan Wilson,{{cite web | last=Bourke | first=Ed | title=Freo pair targeted with vile abuse | website=news.com.au | date=11 April 2023 | url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/pathetic-blight-on-game-continues-as-indigenous-players-racially-abused-online/news-story/c473093c7bb91529246cc61dc98ab554 | access-date=18 April 2023}}{{cite web | last=Ryan | first=Peter | title=AFL 2023: Racism rampant as league braces for impact of Voice to parliament referendum | website=The Age | date=17 April 2023 | url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tip-of-the-iceberg-afl-has-responded-to-23-reports-of-racial-abuse-this-season-20230417-p5d0zc.html | access-date=18 April 2023}} which was being investigated by AFL's integrity unit.{{cite web | author=Australian Associated Press| title=AFL opens investigations into racist abuse of four Indigenous players | website= The Guardian | date=12 April 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/12/afl-opens-investigations-into-racist-abuse-of-four-indigenous-players | access-date=18 April 2023}}

In June 2023, it was announced that Walters had signed on for 2 more years at the Dockers, alongside fellow Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe.{{cite news|title=Walters joins Fyfe in re-signing with Dockers to 2025|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8222657/walters-joins-fyfe-in-re-signing-with-dockers-to-2025/|work=The Canberra Times|date=5 June 2023|first=Shayne|last=Hope}}

Michael kicked his 350th goal in round two of the 2024 AFL season against {{AFL NM}} at Marvel Stadium.{{cite news|title=Gratitude and Goals – Walters’ tribute to Fremantle|url=https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/1512169/gratitude-and-goals-walters-tribute-to-fremantle|work=fremantlefc.com.au|date=|first=|last=}} He was one of Fremantle's best players the next week against the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium, collecting 21 disposals and kicking two goals during the match.{{cite news|title=Dockers extend unbeaten run with victory over winless Crows|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/5918#match-report|work=afl.com.au|date=29 March 2024|first=Nathan|last=Schmook}} Walters suffered a hamstring injury during the round 14 loss to the Bulldogs,{{cite news|title=Bont inspires dominant Dogs in Docker demolition|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/6010#match-report|work=afl.com.au|date=15 June 2024|first=Sarah|last=Black}} and as a result he only managed four more games for the year,{{cite news|title=Michael Walters AFL tables|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Michael_Walters.html#20240|work=|date=|first=|last=}} playing as the substitute on three of those occasions.{{cite news|title=Freo gives lowly Tigers the heave-ho to continue top-four push|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/6032#match-report|work=Australian Football League|date=6 July 2024|first=Nathan|last=Schmook}}{{cite news|title=Hawks fly past Dockers to boost finals chances|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/6040#match-report|work=afl.com.au|date=13 July 2024|first=Dejan|last=Kalinic}}{{cite news|title=Dockers distress! Port denies Freo finals, keeps Blues alive|url=https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/6095#match-report|work=afl.com.au|date=25 August 2024|first=Nathan|last=Schmook}}

He was originally named as the substitute for Fremantle's annual Starlight Purple Haze fundraiser match against the Melbourne Demons in round nineteen, but the late withdrawal of Matthew Johnson due to injury meant he was elevated into the final 22. He finished the game having played perhaps his best match of the year, kicking a season-high four goals, and collecting 16 disposals during the 50 point win.{{cite news|title=Twist of fate helps Docker Walters star against Dees|url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/twist-of-fate-helps-docker-walters-star-against-dees-20240722-p5jvgd.html|work=watoday|date=22 July 2024|first=Justin|last=Chadwick}}

Prior to the 2025 AFL season, Walters was one of the first players announced for the return of the Indigenous All-Stars, set to face Walters' Dockers in February 2025. Later, Walters was announced to be the captain of the squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1266733/sonny-michael-walters-the-skipper-fremantle-dockers-veteran-named-to-lead-indigenous-all-stars|title=Sonny the skipper: Freo veteran to lead Indigenous All-Stars|first=Michael|last=Rogers|date=8 February 2025|website=afl.com.au}}

Walters has three daughters.{{cite web|last=O'Donoghue|first=Craig|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/dribble-podcast-fremantle-dockers-star-michael-walters-becomes-number-one-ticket-holder-at-perth-lynx-c-12158223|title=Dribble Podcast: Fremantle Dockers star Michael Walters becomes number one ticket holder at Perth Lynx|work=The West Australian|date=10 October 2023|access-date=11 October 2023}}

In October 2023, Walters became the number one ticket holder at the Perth Lynx for the 2023–24 WNBL season.{{cite web|url=https://wnbl.basketball/perth/news/michael-sonny-walters-locked-in-as-lynx-1-ticket-holder-for-wnbl-season/|title=MICHAEL 'SONNY' WALTERS LOCKED IN AS LYNX #1 TICKET HOLDER FOR WNBL SEASON|work=wnbl.basketball/perth|date=10 October 2023|access-date=11 October 2023}} In March 2024, he became the number one ticket holder at the Cockburn Cougars for the 2024 NBL1 West season.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/cougarfamily/posts/pfbid02QwVwh5E5Wctc9sfbck4e5oCAcfmZAVQwxeRB8KmSrT4irBbBt7j28EX4JNxvorGql|title=Number One Ticket Holder Announcement|work=facebook.com/cougarfamily|date=30 March 2024|access-date=30 March 2024}}

: Statistics are correct to the end of round 24, 2024[http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Michael_Walters.html Michael Walters's player profile at AFL Tables]

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2009 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 3 || 2 || 1 || 21 || 11 || 32 || 14 || 5 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 7.0 || 3.7 || 10.7 || 4.7 || 1.7 || 0

|-

| 2010 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 5 || 8 || 1 || 52 || 17 || 69 || 15 || 12 || 1.6 || 0.2 || 10.4 || 3.4 || 13.8 || 3.0 || 2.4 || 0

|-

| 2011 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 3 || 4 || 3 || 19 || 5 || 24 || 3 || 8 || 1.3 || 1.0 || 6.3 || 1.7 || 8.0 || 1.0 || 2.7 || 0

|-

| 2012 || {{AFL Fre}} || 38

| 10 || 22 || 11 || 83 || 36 || 119 || 40 || 29 || 2.2 || 1.1 || 8.3 || 3.6 || 11.9 || 4.0 || 2.9 || 0

|-

| 2013 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 21 || 46 || 23 || 231 || 93 || 324 || 108 || 52 || 2.2 || 1.1 || 11.0 || 4.4 || 15.4 || 5.1 || 2.5 || 6

|-

| 2014 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 8 || 15 || 13 || 79 || 28 || 107 || 29 || 20 || 1.9 || 1.6 || 9.9 || 3.5 || 13.4 || 3.6 || 2.5 || 0

|-

| 2015 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 22 || 44 || 19 || 225 || 107 || 332 || 77 || 54 || 2.0 || 0.9 || 10.2 || 4.9 || 15.1 || 3.5 || 2.4 || 3

|-

| 2016 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 22 || 36 || 21 || 244 || 157 || 401 || 91 || 66 || 1.6 || 1.0 || 11.1 || 7.1 || 18.2 || 4.1 || 3.0 || 3

|-

| 2017 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 17 || 22 || 14 || 197 || 130 || 327 || 74 || 45 || 1.3 || 0.8 || 11.6 || 7.6 || 19.2 || 4.4 || 2.6 || 10

|-

| 2018 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 18 || 22 || 14 || 206 || 150 || 356 || 65 || 59 || 1.2 || 0.8 || 11.4 || 8.3 || 19.8 || 3.6 || 3.3 || 8

|-

| 2019 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 22 || 40 || 17 || 303 || 176 || 479 || 83 || 78 || 1.8 || 0.8 || 13.8 || 8.0 || 21.8 || 3.8 || 3.5 || 11

|-

| 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 14 || 15 || 7 || 145 || 102 || 247 || 44 || 40 || 1.1 || 0.5 || 10.4 || 7.3 || 17.6 || 3.1 || 2.9 || 8

|-

| 2021 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 16 || 14 || 11 || 147 || 76 || 223 || 63 || 33 || 0.9 || 0.7 || 9.2 || 4.8 || 13.9 || 3.9 || 2.1 || 0

|-

| 2022 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 21 || 25 || 15 || 172 || 124 || 296 || 82 || 57 || 1.1 || 0.7 || 8.1 || 5.9 || 14.0 || 3.9 || 2.7 || 0

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 20 || 33 || 13 || 127 || 72 || 199 || 56 || 33 || 1.7 || 0.7 || 6.4 || 3.6 || 10.0 || 2.8 || 1.7 || 0

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Fre}} || 10

| 17 || 17 || 13 || 90 || 59 || 149 || 43 || 31 || 1.0 || 0.7 || 5.2 || 3.4 || 8.7 || 2.5 || 1.8 || 0

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 239 !! 365 !! 196 !! 2341 !! 1343 !! 3684 !! 887 !! 622 !! 1.5 !! 0.8 !! 9.7 !! 5.6 !! 15.4 !! 3.7 !! 2.6 !! 49

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

Team

• McClelland Trophy (Fremantle) 2015
• WAFL Premiership Player (Swan Districts) 2010

Individual

• 5× Fremantle leading goalkicker: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
• All-Australian team: 2019
• 22under22 team: 2013
• Fremantle 25 since ‘95 Team
• Fremantle Life Member: 2019

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Fremplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}
• {{WAFL FootyFacts}}

{{Fremantle player squad}}

{{2019 All-Australian team}}

{{2020 All Stars players}}

{{2025 Indigenous All-Stars squad}}

{{Fremantle leading goalkickers}}

{{2008 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walters, Michael}}

Category:Fremantle Football Club players

Category:Living people

Category:1991 births

Category:Indigenous Australian players of Australian rules football

Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people

Category:Swan Districts Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Western Australia

Category:People educated at Governor Stirling Senior High School

Category:All-Australians (AFL)

Category:Peel Thunder Football Club players

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen