Past Player Of The Week - Michael Byrne

Jane Doe

Club Legend
Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Posts
1,246
Likes
690
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Thread starter #1
upload_2014-10-13_21-26-35.jpeg


DOB: 2/12/58

Height: 200 cms
Weight: 86 kgs

Games: 90
Goals: 97

Recruited From: North Shore (NSW) / Melbourne

Debut: Round 3 1982 V Footscray

Giant ruckman who was used with good effect in attack.

Byrne didn't figure in Ron Barassi's plans at Melbourne, but he quickly became a senior regular at Glenferrie. He spelled Ian Paton in the ruck and averaged around a goal per game during his time at Hawthorn.

He was a star in the 1983 premiership side, but he was also prone to erratic displays, such as the horrendous day in June 1985 where he kicked eight straight behinds (his teammates fared little better, booting 11.31 in total). Byrne also finished equal 5th in the Brownlow in 1984

The rise of Greg Dear in the ruck and a more traditional forward set-up limited Byrne's opportunities at Hawthorn, and he moved on to Sydney in 1987.

Where is he now? Currently the kicking coach for the All Blacks.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Posts
2,808
Likes
2,782
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
Golden State, B.H.H. Perth Wildcats
#3
Can't work out what surprised me more - the fact that he was only 86kgs (has to be wrong) or after kicking 8 straight behinds he landed a job as the kicking coach for the All Blacks
In better days I played at statewide level at 82 kgs/197cms.

Used to get hurt by the bigger bodies but.
 

Roddy

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Jul 10, 2006
Posts
9,385
Likes
8,178
Location
M-Town
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
Aussie Cricket team.
#5
Can't work out what surprised me more - the fact that he was only 86kgs (has to be wrong) or after kicking 8 straight behinds he landed a job as the kicking coach for the All Blacks
My old man is a massive Phil Collins fan, and he kept making the dumbest Dad joke in history. Every single time we heard this song, he would say 'Michael Byrne Theme song!' Over and over and over........

 

langers1971

All Australian
Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Posts
979
Likes
195
Location
melbourne
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
hawthorn
#6
On his debut with Hawthorn, round 3 1982 v footscray at VFL Park, he kicked 8 goals to help us to a 143 point victory over the dogs, 28.26 194 to 7.9.51, it was a then record score for Hawthorn, only to be better later that year in r16 v north melbourne.

I remember his 8 straight behinds v Melbourne at the MCG in 1985, and yet r2 1986 on a Friday night game v North Melbourne at the MCG, he kicks the winning goal from a strong grab about 35 metres out. By r12 1986, he had been dropped to the reserves, and thats where he finished up, and went to the swans in 87.

We certainly got the best out of him.
 

grumbleguts

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Aug 14, 2011
Posts
8,032
Likes
17,029
Location
Tully FNQ
AFL Club
Hawthorn
#7
On his debut with Hawthorn, round 3 1982 v footscray at VFL Park, he kicked 8 goals to help us to a 143 point victory over the dogs, 28.26 194 to 7.9.51, it was a then record score for Hawthorn, only to be better later that year in r16 v north melbourne.

I remember his 8 straight behinds v Melbourne at the MCG in 1985, and yet r2 1986 on a Friday night game v North Melbourne at the MCG, he kicks the winning goal from a strong grab about 35 metres out. By r12 1986, he had been dropped to the reserves, and thats where he finished up, and went to the swans in 87.

We certainly got the best out of him.
On being interviewed about that winning goal against North in the friday night game, he said "I was lining up, and I saw a person in the crowd wearing a bright yellow shirt, they were sitting in a perfect line for the goal so I just aimed for them." It seems target guy has been around since 1986.
 

Adelaide Hawk

Hall of Famer
Joined
Sep 21, 2002
Posts
45,348
Likes
34,020
Location
Adelaide
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
Norwood
#11
On being interviewed about that winning goal against North in the friday night game, he said "I was lining up, and I saw a person in the crowd wearing a bright yellow shirt, they were sitting in a perfect line for the goal so I just aimed for them." It seems target guy has been around since 1986.
Just as well the person in the crowd didn't decide to take a leak while he was lining up :)
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

CD Xbow

Club Legend
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Posts
1,237
Likes
2,601
AFL Club
Hawthorn
#13
Debut vs Footscray 1982. Look for the bloke wearing #35 for the Hawks too !

Byrne's 8 goals were the most for a Hawk wearing #50.

That's a terrific clip of old Hawthorn greats, Buckenarra, Mew, Leigh in his Afro period etc, also two Abletts in Hawthorn colours.
 

flinchfree

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 30, 2014
Posts
2,792
Likes
5,505
AFL Club
Hawthorn
#14
Debut vs Footscray 1982. Look for the bloke wearing #35 for the Hawks too !

Byrne's 8 goals were the most for a Hawk wearing #50.


Wow! You can certainly see what's about to come for the HFC in the coming years.
For those who assume 80's football resembled 60's footy, take a look at the clean disposal, run on and carry, breaking into space, etc. Some absolutely beautiful football to watch.
STARS EVERYWHERE.....moving so easily in their youth. :cool:
 
Top Bottom