Player Watch Max Michalanney - Re-Signed to End of 2026

[Vader]

How long did Mead go there? I played with him from under 10's to under 13's in Adelaide.

He was a couple of years ahead of me. My family moved to Hell in 1984, and I think he finished year 12 in 1987 or 1988. No idea how long he was there, beyond those timelines.

This article talks about him catching the bus from Hell, to Adelaide, to play for Port's juniors - and then catching the bus back again. I rode that Stateliner bus many times, and know exactly what he's talking about.
Where are they now? Darren Mead

The article mentions him being drafted by Essendon in 1988. I'm not sure what the draft age was back then, or whether he'd even finished high school at that stage. I don't think players even nominated for the draft back then - clubs just chose whoever they wanted, and acquired rights over players who hadn't done anything to enter into a contract.

 

[Betts are off]

Only allowing 2 goals in 2 months is insane.

I had no idea Max would be this consistently good. TBH I really didn't think he would play until he bulked up his frame a bit.

Happy to be wrong on that call

 

[MRB37]

AFL Rookie Rankings: Crows defender on AA watch

One father-son could have his eye on an All-Australian blazer come the end of the year, but it's not who you might expect! Jasper Chellappah takes a look at the AFL Rookie Rankings after eight rounds of action.

www.espn.com.au

Michalanney has claims to be the best lockdown small in the game this year. According to Champion Data he has a defensive rating of +50% (fourth best in the AFL), meaning he's keeping his direct opponents to 50% of their average output (measured in Ratings Points). Put simply, Michalanney's opponents are half as good as they usually are when they play on him.

Taking the best small forward each week, he has produced some elite results. In Round 7, he held the Pies' Jamie Elliott goalless in 92 minutes, and the week before, Hawthorn's Luke Bruest could only muster four touches in 47 minutes. Other scalps include Shai Bolton

29

Shai Bolton

Age

26

Ht

176cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.3

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

12.7

3star

K

9.2

4star

HB

3.5

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.8

4star

D

9.2

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.0

1star

and Michael Walters

10

Michael Walters

Age

34

Ht

176cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.2

4star

K

11.0

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.9

4star

G

1.7

5star

D

20.9

5star

K

11.8

5star

HB

9.1

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.3

4star

G

1.0

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

3.6

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.8

4star

, with just one goal between the two star forwards in 116 minutes of game-time.

In his first seven rounds the youngster has given up just two goals total to his main opponents.

Michalanney is a unique general defender in the age of attacking intent out of the backline. The Swans would have seen shades of premiership defender Nick Smith in Michalanney when they tried to snare him at pick 17 last November, but the Crows were quick to match, knowing there was more than meets the eye with the unassuming teenager out of Norwood.

That depth of character was tested in his first Showdown, staring down a rampaging Todd Marshall

4

Todd Marshall

Age

26

Ht

198cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.0

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

2.5

2star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

8.9

2star

K

7.1

3star

HB

1.8

1star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.0

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.6

5star

in front of over 50,000 frenzied supporters. Showing an abundance of courage he grabbed the loose ball above his head and opened up his body for the incoming key forward to barrel into. Michalanney shook off the hit after getting his ribs examined by medicos and went on to play an integral role in the Crows' striking win over their cross-town rivals.

Michalanney's 11 disposals per game might not stand out, but his 84% disposal efficiency is indicative of his composure, and with the second-most tackles of any general defender in the league (four per outing) his defensive intent is undoubted.

ESPN's Rookie Ladder after Round 8:

1. Harry Sheezel (NM)
2. Will Ashcroft (BRIS)
3. Max Michalanney (ADEL)
4. Reuben Ginbey (WCE)
5. Oliver Hollands (CARL)
6. Mattaes Phillipou (ST K)
7. Alex Cincotta (CARL)
8. Cam Mackenzie (HAW)
9. Alwyn Davey Jr (ESS)
10. Lachie Cowan (CARL)

 

[kirky]

AFL Rookie Rankings: Crows defender on AA watch

One father-son could have his eye on an All-Australian blazer come the end of the year, but it's not who you might expect! Jasper Chellappah takes a look at the AFL Rookie Rankings after eight rounds of action.

www.espn.com.au

He keeps going for the rest of the year he is well within the possibility of AA selection.

Look forward to the celebration after he kicks his first goal.

 

[dogs105]

He was a couple of years ahead of me. My family moved to Hell in 1984, and I think he finished year 12 in 1987 or 1988. No idea how long he was there, beyond those timelines.

This article talks about him catching the bus from Hell, to Adelaide, to play for Port's juniors - and then catching the bus back again. I rode that Stateliner bus many times, and know exactly what he's talking about.
Where are they now? Darren Mead

The article mentions him being drafted by Essendon in 1988. I'm not sure what the draft age was back then, or whether he'd even finished high school at that stage. I don't think players even nominated for the draft back then - clubs just chose whoever they wanted, and acquired rights over players who hadn't done anything to enter into a contract.

Can I ask how old you are mate? I was at Ceduna area school from 82-85

 

[Vader]

Can I ask how old you are mate? I was at Ceduna area school from 82-85

I was there from 84 (year 6) - 90 (year 12). Looks like we have a 2-year overlap, though probably in different year levels.

** I also overlap with WheresGroomgone (sort of). Have to be careful not to dox each other, in this kind of discussion.

 

[earlsta]

Just keeps his feet every contest doesn’t he? I think that’s what makes him so damn good, he’s never out of the contest if he’s near enough his opponent.

Also don’t forget he’s had to play on Rachelle/Rankine right through the pre season, can’t help to think that would have helped with his development quicker than usual.

Wonder if we’d knew he’d be this good, we didn’t even know he’d nominate us or anything until the deadline. Very little was spoken about him last year.

 

[StickerMan]

Just keeps his feet every contest doesn’t he? I think that’s what makes him so damn good, he’s never out of the contest if he’s near enough his opponent.

Also don’t forget he’s had to play on Rachelle/Rankine right through the pre season, can’t help to think that would have helped with his development quicker than usual.

Wonder if we’d knew he’d be this good, we didn’t even know he’d nominate us or anything until the deadline. Very little was spoken about him last year.

Was looking at the different rankings of rookies that have been socialised lately, and see that he is rated top 5 in most.

Given we gave up pick 5 for Rankine which quite a few were upset with, and now Max's output looks more like a top5 pick, we came out of the trade/draft period looking pretty sweet.

Yes, you could argue that we could have had Rankine, Phillipou and Max but I am pretty happy with where we sit with those decisions.

 

[dogs105]

I was there from 84 (year 6) - 90 (year 12). Looks like we have a 2-year overlap, though probably in different year levels.

** I also overlap with WheresGroomgone (sort of). Have to be careful not to dox each other, in this kind of discussion.

Yeah, without too much doxing, you were 2 years older.

Though, that would put you in my sister's year level.

 

[dogs105]

Yeah, without too much doxing, you were 2 years older.

Though, that would put you in my sister's year level.

Also Vader, we left when I was 9 so don't remember too much about the area at all. A few primary teachers, holiday swimming lessons in the school pool, a friend's farm, and watching my dad play cricket and footy at Thevenard. And Norfolk Island pines along the beach front.

 

[Vader]

Yeah, without too much doxing, you were 2 years older.

Though, that would put you in my sister's year level.

It would put you in my sister's level too.

Now I have to think back almost 40 years, to remember a girl in my class, who was only there for 2 years.

 

[dogs105]

It would put you in my sister's level too.

Now I have to think back almost 40 years, to remember a girl in my class, who was only there for 2 years.

Did you have a maths teacher who sang "Fraction too much Friction" all the time?

 

[Vader]

Also Vader, we left when I was 9 so don't remember too much about the area at all. A few primary teachers, holiday swimming lessons in the school pool, a friend's farm, and watching my dad play cricket and footy at Thevenard. And Norfolk Island pines along the beach front.

My family arrived in Hell just before my 10th birthday. First teacher there was Mrs Crouch, think I had Mr MacGowan and Mr Mackenzie for maths, and Mr Lemke for spelling.

My brother used to play for the Blues. I didn't venture out to Thevenard terribly often, though one of my best friends lived out there. I remember the police officer took me out there, and used the ramp up from the jetty car park to do the hill start test, when I got my driving license.

 

[70lethal]

He was a couple of years ahead of me. My family moved to Hell in 1984, and I think he finished year 12 in 1987 or 1988. No idea how long he was there, beyond those timelines.

This article talks about him catching the bus from Hell, to Adelaide, to play for Port's juniors - and then catching the bus back again. I rode that Stateliner bus many times, and know exactly what he's talking about.
Where are they now? Darren Mead

The article mentions him being drafted by Essendon in 1988. I'm not sure what the draft age was back then, or whether he'd even finished high school at that stage. I don't think players even nominated for the draft back then - clubs just chose whoever they wanted, and acquired rights over players who hadn't done anything to enter into a contract.

Late 82 or early 83. Interesting

 

[dogs105]

My family arrived in Hell just before my 10th birthday. First teacher there was Mrs Crouch, think I had Mr MacGowan and Mr Mackenzie for maths, and Mr Lemke for spelling.

My brother used to play for the Blues. I didn't venture out to Thevenard terribly often, though one of my best friends lived out there. I remember the police officer took me out there, and used the ramp up from the jetty car park to do the hill start test, when I got my driving license.

If you're interested, I just spent 45 minutes looking through "Ceduna Old Photos" on Facebook. Lots of school photos, and I remembered a few names. I am also in at least a couple...

 

[dogs105]

My family arrived in Hell just before my 10th birthday. First teacher there was Mrs Crouch, think I had Mr MacGowan and Mr Mackenzie for maths, and Mr Lemke for spelling.

My brother used to play for the Blues. I didn't venture out to Thevenard terribly often, though one of my best friends lived out there. I remember the police officer took me out there, and used the ramp up from the jetty car park to do the hill start test, when I got my driving license.

We were at Tumby Bay before that. My Dad worked in the bank, so we moved a lot. I had never heard of Ceduna, but I remember my mum crying when she found out!

 

[Vader]

If you're interested, I just spent 45 minutes looking through "Ceduna Old Photos" on Facebook. Lots of school photos, and I remembered a few names. I am also in at least a couple...

I don't do bookface, and can't access it from the work computer.

Otherwise, it could be an interesting walk back in time.

 

[Vader]

We were at Tumby Bay before that. My Dad worked in the bank, so we moved a lot. I had never heard of Ceduna, but I remember my mum crying when she found out!

Well may she have cried...

I refer to the town as Hell - a town where you'd never be a "local" unless your grandparents were born there.

My parents decided to uproot us, from our comfortable existence in the Adelaide Hills, for no discernible reason... thus destroying the next 7 years of my life.

 

[WheresGroomgone]

Also Vader, we left when I was 9 so don't remember too much about the area at all. A few primary teachers, holiday swimming lessons in the school pool, a friend's farm, and watching my dad play cricket and footy at Thevenard. And Norfolk Island pines along the beach front.

Hey did your dad play in the 1983 Grand Final as Thevenard are having a reunion this year for it? As well as 1973, 93 and 2013 Premiers

 

[dogs105]

Hey did your dad play in the 1983 Grand Final as Thevenard are having a reunion this year for it? As well as 1973, 93 and 2013 Premiers

He did play in a couple there. I think it was Western United in 83 and Koonibba in 84 perhaps? I'll ask if he's heard about it. Thank you.



He was a far, far better footballer than I ever got to be...

 

[dogs105]

Hey did your dad play in the 1983 Grand Final as Thevenard are having a reunion this year for it? As well as 1973, 93 and 2013 Premiers

Also, he still has a VHS recording of the 83 GF, with some pretty amateur camera work but surprisingly good commentary!

 

[jamesclean]

Did you have a maths teacher who sang "Fraction too much Friction" all the time?

D O X E D

 

[Crow till I die]

Saw a very rare thing today, max had a kick intercepted..i'll need to watch the replay just to be sure though as i nearly fell off my seat at the time...his errors are as rare as hens teeth

 

[hippyhippy]

Saw a very rare thing today, max had a kick intercepted..i'll need to watch the replay just to be sure though as i nearly fell off my seat at the time...his errors are as rare as hens teeth

That's the second this year... intercepted when kicking it towards the centre at half back.

 

[Brenton Davy]

Probably beaten for the first time today. Was matched up on Higgins who got the better of him. Looked like he needed a rest which is understandable. He’s taken some hits in his rookie season and we shouldn’t run him into the ground. I’d rest him for the Ballarat trip.