Michael Barlow
Encyclopedia
Michael Barlow is an Australian rules football
er. He plays with the Fremantle Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
as a junior, but instead played for Shepparton United
in the Goulburn Valley Football League
, where he represented Victoria Country in 2007 as a 19 year old. 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, winning Werribee's best player award, the Fothergill-Round Medal
as the league's best young player, came second in the 2009 JJ Liston Trophy for the league's best and fairest player, and was named in the VFL's Team of the Year in both 2008 and 2009.
after the 2009 season, 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
. 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), Jason Davenport
(2006), Shane Valenti
(2007) and Robin Nahas
(2008).
After performing well in Fremantle's three NAB Cup
pre-season games, Barlow was promoted to Fremantle's senior list as a nominated rookie, enabling him to play throughout the 2010 AFL season
.
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. 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. 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.
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.
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.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er. He plays with the Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Early career
Unlike most current players in the AFL, Barlow did not play in the TAC CupTAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
as a junior, but instead played for Shepparton United
Shepparton United Football Club
Shepparton United Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Demons, is an Australian Rules Football club playing in the Goulburn Valley Football League.The club now known as Shepparton United was originally called City United...
in the Goulburn Valley Football League
Goulburn Valley Football League
The Goulburn Valley Football League is an Australian rules football competition based in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia...
, where he represented Victoria Country in 2007 as a 19 year old. He moved to play for the Werribee Football Club
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
in the Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
in 2008. He had a very successful season in 2009, having moved from the forward line into the midfield, winning Werribee's best player award, the Fothergill-Round Medal
Fothergill-Round Medal
The Fothergill-Round Medal is a VFL award that is presented to the most promising young talent in the VFL competition. Named after Des Fothergill and Barry Round, the only two players who have won both the J. J. Liston Trophy and the Brownlow Medal, the medal has been awarded annually since...
as the league's best young player, came second in the 2009 JJ Liston Trophy for the league's best and fairest player, and was named in the VFL's Team of the Year in both 2008 and 2009.
AFL career
After training with St Kilda during the 2009 pre-season and with EssendonEssendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
after the 2009 season, Barlow was drafted to Fremantle Football Club
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
with their first selection in the 2010 Rookie Draft
2009 AFL Draft
The 2009 AFL Draft consists of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2009/10 Australian Football League off-season. These were the Trade Week , the National Draft , the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft .- Trades :In the lead up to the trade week many high profile players such as...
—the eighth overall. He was one of eight players from the Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFL) selected in the rookie draft. Alex Silvagni
Alex Silvagni
Alex Silvagni is an Australian rules footballer with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Early career:...
was also drafted to Fremantle from the Casey Scorpions
Casey Scorpions
The Casey Scorpions Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the Victorian Football League . The club was founded in 1903 as the Springvale Football Club and played under the name Springvale. In its history it has won 21 premierships...
. 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
Michael Firrito
Michael "Spud" Firrito is an Australian Rules footballer for the Kangaroos Football Club. He made his AFL debut in round 12 on the 13 June 2003. He played 2 games that year and the following year received a Rising Star nomination. Although primarily a defender, he has been used by the Kangaroos as...
(2002), Aaron Davey
Aaron Davey
Aaron Davey is a professional Australian rules football player of Indigenous Australian heritage. He currently plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
(2003), Adam Fisher (won the medal in 2004, rookie listed in 2003), Jason Davenport
Jason Davenport
Jason Davenport is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Career:...
(2006), Shane Valenti
Shane Valenti
Shane Valenti is an Australian rules footballer, who played for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League and currently plays for Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League ....
(2007) and Robin Nahas
Robin Nahas
Robin Nahas is an Australian rules footballer for Richmond in the Australian Football League .- Early career :Nahas played his junior football with the Oakleigh Dragons Football Club in the Moorabbin Saints Junior Football League, he then went on to play for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup...
(2008).
After performing well in Fremantle's three NAB Cup
2010 NAB Cup
The 2010 NAB Cup was the Australian Football League pre-season competition that was played before the 2010 home and away season. The games were played between 12 February and 13 March, with the first match being between and at Subiaco Oval...
pre-season games, Barlow was promoted to Fremantle's senior list as a nominated rookie, enabling him to play throughout the 2010 AFL season
2010 AFL season
-Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22...
.
He made a successful debut for Fremantle in the opening round of the 2010 AFL season
2010 AFL season
-Premiership season:The draw for the 2010 AFL Premiership Season is not a random selection of matches, but rather is planned by the AFL. It is intended to produce a balanced draw while also providing the fans and television networks with blockbuster games. In a competition with 16 teams and 22...
, gaining 33 possessions and kicking two goals, and was named as one of the best players on the ground. 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
Bradd Dalziell
Bradd Dalziell is an Australian Rules footballer for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League . He was drafted to the Brisbane Lions with selection 52 of 2007 AFL National Draft from the East Fremantle Football Club in the West Australian Football League.-WAFL:Bradd Dalziell...
's 32 possessions in 2008. In his first Derby
Western Derby
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles, who both participate in the Australian Football League . As both teams are based in Western Australia, the term 'derby' is used to describe the...
(R6 2010), Barlow was awarded the Ross Glendinning Medal
Ross Glendinning Medal
The Ross Glendinning Medal is awarded to the player judged best on ground in the Western Derby football match played between Fremantle Football Club and the West Coast Eagles....
for being the best player on the ground. His game consisted of 10 kicks, 15 handballs, 4 marks, 8 tackles and a goal.
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
Rhys Palmer
Rhys Palmer is an Australian rules footballer who is currently contracted to in the Australian Football League. He previously played for , and won the AFL Rising Star award in 2008.-Early life:...
saw Barlow cleanly break both the tibia and fibula in his left leg, a few inches below the knee.
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.