Michael Prior

Michael Prior
Personal information
Date of birth6 September 1973
Original teamEast Perth (WAFL)
DebutRound 20, 5 August 1994, Essendon
v. Collingwood, at MCG
Height/Weight182cm / 79kg
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
1994–2000
2001–2002
Total -		Essendon
West Coast Eagles		81 (19)
9 (1)
90 (20)
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 2002 season.
For the theologian of the same name, see Michael Prior (theologian)

Michael Prior (born 6 September 1973) (also known as Peter Raven) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the AFL's Essendon Football Club and the West Coast Eagles.

Drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 AFL Draft, he made the unusual choice at the time to remain with his original club, East Perth, for the 1993 season, Essendons famous baby bomber premiership winning year, as he felt that playing regular league football in the WAFL would be better for his development. Kevin Sheedy disagreed with this theory but allowed him to do so.

He played 81 games for the Bombers between 1994 and 2000. After the 2000 season, he was dropped by the Bombers and then picked up by West Coast. He spent two seasons with the Eagles and played just 9 games for them due to a devastating knee injury suffered in Round 7 2001, he recovered and continued his tally of games with East Perth in the WAFL when not required and was a member of their 2002 premiership side.

After retiring from AFL football he continued to play with East Perth until the end of the 2003 season. In total he played 69 games for the Royals.

He was colourfully referred to by 3AW commentator Rex Hunt as "prior conviction".

He appeared on Terry Willesee Tonight in 1983. He was the head of a group known as "the drain kids" that roamed North Rocks.

Among his greatest sporting achievements is his 3 A2 premierships for the Kenthurst Cricket club.

At the end of 2007 he ended his stint as coach of East Perth Colts and is now a skills coach at Fremantle.

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