Michael Barlow

Michael Barlow
Personal information
Full name Michael Barlow
Date of birth 18 December 1987 (1987-12-18) (age 24)
Original team Werribee (VFL)
Draft 8th pick, 2010 Rookie Draft
Height/Weight 191cm / 92kg
Position(s) On-baller
Club information
Current club Fremantle
Number 21
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2010 - Fremantle 22 (19)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .

Michael Barlow (born 18 December 1987) is an Australian rules footballer. He plays with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Contents

Early career

Unlike most current players in the AFL, Barlow did not play in the TAC Cup as a junior,[1] but instead played for Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley Football League, where he represented Victoria Country in 2007 as a 19 year old.[2] He moved to play for the Werribee Football Club in the Victorian Football League in 2008. He had a very successful season in 2009, having moved from the forward line into the midfield,[3] winning Werribee's best player award, the Fothergill-Round Medal as the league's best young player,[4] came second in the 2009 JJ Liston Trophy for the league's best and fairest player,[5] and was named in the VFL's Team of the Year in both 2008 and 2009.[6]

AFL career

After training with St Kilda during the 2009 pre-season and with Essendon after the 2009 season,[7] Barlow was drafted to Fremantle Football Club with their first selection in the 2010 Rookie Draft—the eighth overall. He was one of eight players from the Victorian Football League (VFL) selected in the rookie draft. Alex Silvagni was also drafted to Fremantle from the Casey Scorpions.[8] He also continued the trend of Fothergill-Round medallists being rookie listed, with all bar one of the previous seven winners being selected in the rookie draft: Michael Firrito (2002), Aaron Davey (2003), Adam Fisher (won the medal in 2004, rookie listed in 2003),[9] Jason Davenport (2006), Shane Valenti (2007) and Robin Nahas (2008).[3]

After performing well in Fremantle's three NAB Cup pre-season games,[10] Barlow was promoted to Fremantle's senior list as a nominated rookie, enabling him to play throughout the 2010 AFL season.[11]

He made a successful debut for Fremantle in the opening round of the 2010 AFL season, gaining 33 possessions and kicking two goals, and was named as one of the best players on the ground.[12] It was the most possessions gained by a player on debut since the AFL's official data partner, Champion Data, began collecting statistics in 1992, beating Bradd Dalziell's 32 possessions in 2008.[13] In his first Derby (R6 2010), Barlow was awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal for being the best player on the ground. His game consisted of 10 kicks, 15 handballs, 4 marks, 8 tackles and a goal.[14]

A broken leg ended Barlow's season in Round 14 against Port Adelaide: late in the final quarter of the game, an awkward collision with teammate Rhys Palmer saw Barlow cleanly break both the tibia and fibula in his left leg, a few inches below the knee.[15]

He was awarded the Best First Year Player Award at the 2010 AFLPA awards, despite missing 8 home and away games due to his broken leg.

References

  1. ^ Mallinder, Terry (21 December 2009). "Barlow docks at Fremantle to begin AFL voyage". Leader News. http://leader-news.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/barlow-docks-at-fremantle-to-begin-afl-voyage/. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  2. ^ Daffey, Paul (16 June 2007). "Teenager Jumps In Size And Reputation". The Age. http://www.shepparton.com.au/shepparton-news/2007/6/16/teenager-jumps-in-size-and-reputation/. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  3. ^ a b Mallinder, Terry (30 November 2009). "Michael Barlow set to follow trend?". Wyndham Leader. http://wyndham-leader.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/michael-barlow-set-to-follow-trend/. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  4. ^ Diamond, Brent (5 September 2009). "Barlow aims for AFL after stellar season". The Age (Fairfax Media). http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/barlow-aims-for-afl-after-stellar-season/2009/09/04/1252001247357.html. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  5. ^ Mitchell, Chris (15 September 2009). "Sewell wins J.J. Liston Trophy". Herald Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sewell-wins-jj-liston-trophy/story-e6frf9jf-1225773269440. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  6. ^ Clarke, Tim (15 December 2009). "McPhee no draft shock - but Eagles spring a surprise". WA Today. http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/mcphee-no-draft-shock--but-eagles-spring-a-surprise-20091215-kt4d.html. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  7. ^ Clarke, Tim. "Barlow in line for instant Dockers' debut". WA Today (Fairfax Media). http://www.watoday.com.au/afl/afl-news/barlow-in-line-for-instant-dockers-debut-20100316-q9z2.html. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  8. ^ Diamond, Brent (27 December 2009). "Docker signings could help set a trend". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/docker-signings-could-help-set-a-trend-20091226-lfs1.html. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  9. ^ Lovett, Michael, ed (2005). AFL Record: Guide to season 2005. Melbourne: AFL Publishing. pp. 446. ISBN 0-9580300-6-5. 
  10. ^ Washbourne, Michael (22 February 2010). "Michael Barlow leads Fremantle's rookie charge". PerthNow. http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/michael-barlow-leads-fremantles-rookie-charge/story-e6frg1wu-1225833140332. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  11. ^ "Dockers promote Michael Barlow from rookie list". Herald Sun. 16 March 2010. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dockers-elevate-michael-barlow-from-rookie-list/story-e6frf9jf-1225841475424. Retrieved 16 March 2010. 
  12. ^ Barlow stunning as Fremantle shock the Crows
  13. ^ Michael Barlow proves instant hero for Fremantle Dockers
  14. ^ AFL Official Stats
  15. ^ Michael Horan Michael Barlow surgery a success, retrieved 5th July 2010

External links

Fremantle Football Club – current squad

* denote Rookie Listed players