View Full Version : 22. Mal Michael
B-Bomber
16 Jul 2007, 16:29
I think Big Mal is going to destroy Rocca this week, almost feel sorry for the guy.
bring it on
16 Jul 2007, 16:30
glad we could lure him out of retirement
Ryder Is God
16 Jul 2007, 17:34
Great pick up. He's made Fletcher be able to play his best footy I've seen in a while.
windyhill
16 Jul 2007, 21:07
Love having him with us. Will be interesting to see him take on pebbles this week.
Bombs Away
17 Jul 2007, 13:44
Great pick up. He's made Fletcher be able to play his best footy I've seen in a while.
:thumbsu:
thebigboy
18 Jul 2007, 10:03
Love having him with us. Will be interesting to see him take on pebbles this week.
Should be perrfect for Mal, Rocca can't/doesn't/won't move.
I would think Rocca will have a very tough time.
i thought he played really well against the crows
he looks really fit
Merv Neagle
22 Dec 2007, 10:51
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news_imagesize.asp?imagefile=/images/07/r8-gsp-08.jpg (http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/07/r8-gsp-08.jpg)
Mal Michael sells a dummy handball while playing against his old club. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news_imagesize.asp?imagefile=/images/07/r7-gsp-02.jpg (http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/07/r7-gsp-02.jpg)
Mal Michael dives to take a mark deep in defence.
Fans look forward to Michael's 2008 season
Saturday, 22 December 2007
Mal Michael certainly impressed fans in his first season in the red and black while providing Dustin Fletcher the opportunity to move down the ground.
The Bomber faithful are looking forward to seeing how he stacks up against the competition in 2008 with a full pre-season under his belt.
2007
Games - 22
Goals - 2
Kicks - 111
Marks - 82
Handballs – 142
2007 Fan’s ranking: 6.18 / 10
What some of the Essendon fans had to say:
A great addition to the backline. He shows leadership and consistency and is always there to rev up and encourage the younger players. I think he has been very underrated by many fans this year. I'm looking forward to seeing him in action again next year. (Nicole Watson)
A solid year from Mal. His presence released Fletcher which was a great benefit to the team. 2008 should be an even better year as he increases his understanding of the players and team around him. (Rod Ansell)
A consistent well-seasoned performer who's inclusion freed up Fletch to play a more damaging role. (Carl Farriciello)
He was a valuable asset down back. I hope he stays on and uses some of his leadership skills to encourage the younger players. (Jeff Tapper)
One of the better recruiting coups the club has pulled off. I think he will be better again next year. (Greg Kemp)
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5542
kelvin_sheedy
22 Dec 2007, 12:13
He's only 30 and I would expect him to play another 2-3 years if his body and mind holds up...... which I think it will.
There's a lot of people saying this could be his last year but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't go on.
Still a quality full back and is perfect for the gorilla forwards.
Amazing Bombers
26 Dec 2007, 14:56
Great player.
loopy_cam
16 Feb 2008, 21:34
Looks Fantastic.
He'll be back to his best this year. Will surprise alot of people.
Pawtucket Patriot
16 Feb 2008, 21:36
Is so cool under pressure. Will be a great General for the likes of Dempsey, Nash and Dyson down back.
thebigboy
17 Feb 2008, 10:50
A pre-season looks to have done him a world of good. He looked a lot more mobile and fitter than he did at this stage last year.
I don't see why he can't go on after this season. It would be disappointing if he was to not continue on next year.
he saved our asses a number of times. i'm looking forward to a backline with mal, fletch, paddy, nashy, DC and welsh
WindyHillWatcher
3 Mar 2008, 14:05
unless injured... i see no reason why big mal shouldnt play on next year too.
IhateMondays
16 Mar 2008, 17:43
Too old and too slow.
IhateMondays
16 Mar 2008, 17:44
Beaten by Lachie Henderson?? What to do?
IhateMondays
16 Mar 2008, 17:45
Do a Leigh Matthews and turn John into a full-back like Daniel Merret
mal played well throughout the nab cup and with his added fitness he will be an important member of our side
Blind Blink
21 Mar 2008, 19:49
I don't think big Mal will have a good season, I'm not a big fan of him but apparently he has gotten fitter over the off-season so that might see me change my mind on him, depending on how he plays on Monday.
Too old and too slow.
Too good...
Slattery_20
24 Mar 2008, 19:13
Doubled the fist once or twice, that alone should win a few more fans
retroparty
7 Apr 2008, 12:38
Played a great game on Saturday night. Yes, Fev kicked 8.4 on him but Michael had 12 spoils. If anyone watched the game they would've noticed half the time the ball came to Fev it was knocked away by Michael. The spoil count is the most underrated stat in the game and it clearly shows you who the good defenders are and who the bad defenders are.
Still an elite Defender of the competition and will go a long way to securing an Essendon finals berth in the next 1-3 years.
wouldn't call it a great game. carlton do go through fevola 75% of the time but if your opponent kicks 8 goals he has beaten you
Longy413
8 Apr 2008, 09:44
Played a great half.
Fev had an amazing third quarter and Paddy made him look silly in the last.
Played a great half.
Fev had an amazing third quarter and Paddy made him look silly in the last.
Not exactly. Few of the goals kicked on Mal were Mal's fault, probably about 2 of them at most (compared to about 20 spoils he made). And while Ryder did ok on Fev in the last he ran off him a lot and still conceeded some goals; Fev could have kicked 2 then gave one away to Gibbs.
First half the midfield defence was much better and the delivery to Fev wasn't as great and Mal absolutly dominated him, spoil after spoil. Only thing Fev got his hands on against Mal were some great passes from Murphy, Kreuzer and Stevens that any decent FF would have marked; great sharp ball out in front that hit him on the chest with no chance to spoil.
I thought Mal was quite good all game.
CarlosHernandez
8 Apr 2008, 11:35
Watching the game again on tv, i was amazed at Mal's second quarter..it was great to watch. Some great spoils and follow throughs!
RED STRIPE MAGIC
18 Apr 2008, 16:09
tell mal to get off the smokes. they are slowing him down
Windas_Magic
16 Jun 2008, 21:19
What are people's thoughts on Mal? He is now 30 (almost 31) and probably does have 1-2 years left in him. His Bendigo form has been very good and if he doesn't get a call up over the next month is it likely he'll either retire or be de-listed at the end of the year?
Does Knights put him in to help out Paddy and Fletch or does he give Ryder the responsibility of being a key defender?
give ryder the responsibility. we have nothing to gain from playing mal. if he wasn't put in the side to play on lynch i can't see him coming in anytime soon. doesn't have the pace to go with fev and they don't have too many tall forwards so would be very unlikely to come in this week
The Dustbin
4 Aug 2008, 19:37
Has anyone else read the mad minute on Mal in the latest edition of the Bomber magazine.
One of the questions Mal was asked was...
When I retire I'll? Mal's answer was probably be 31.
Was this just a flippant remark, or was he serious? Interesting...
Ben the Gooner
4 Aug 2008, 19:53
Has anyone else read the mad minute on Mal in the latest edition of the Bomber magazine.
One of the questions Mal was asked was...
When I retire I'll? Mal's answer was probably be 31.
Was this just a flippant remark, or was he serious? Interesting...
I noticed that as well. Could be either. Seems a bit flippant throughout the interview, but could be serious for a serious question.
On another note, he's got his priorities right with the three things he'd take in a fire: "Photo albums, dog, daughter". In that order?:D
MadBomberfan
10 Aug 2008, 19:19
It's all over, Mal.
he was a liability today - would have been better off giving young hooker a game.
why are they playing him when there isn't a obvious matchup? surely the coaching staff were aware lynch has been playing up the ground over the last couple of months.
needs to be dropped. unlike pev, rama and jj, we dont owe him anything.
The Dustbin
15 Aug 2008, 11:13
I noticed that as well. Could be either. Seems a bit flippant throughout the interview, but could be serious for a serious question.
It now appears he was serious.