Michael Wilson

Personal information
Birth	21 November, 1976
Recruited from	Port Adelaide (SANFL)
Height and weight	181cm / 89kg
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 1, 29 March 1997, Port Adelaide vs. Collingwood, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Team(s)	Port Adelaide (SANFL) (1995-1996) 39 games, 7 goals Port Adelaide (1997-2008) 192 games, 51 goals Port Adelaide Magpies (2003) 3 games, 3 goals South Australia 1 game, 1 goal
¹ Statistics to end of 2008 season
Career highlights
AFL Rising Star 1997 Port Adelaide Premiership side 1995 (SANFL), 1996 (SANFL), 2004 Port Adelaide Preseason Premiership side 2001 Port Adelaide Vice Captain 2006, 2007

Michael Robert Wilson (born 21 November 1976) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Port Adelaide Football Club.

Affectionately known as 'Wilbur', Wilson was one of the talented crop of youngsters making the transition from the SANFL to the national league as part of Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL squad in 1997. Playing primarily as an onballer he immediately made an impression and took out the AFL Rising Star award as the league's best young prospect in his debut season.^[1] From 1998-onwards Wilson has played primarily as a medium-sized defender rotating through the midfield on occasion.

With a pair of SANFL Premiership Medallions already in his keeping by age 19, Wilson was able to add the AFL equivalent in 2004, capping a brilliant individual season with a sturdy performance in Port Adelaide's first AFL flag win over the thrice reigning Premiers, the Brisbane Lions. His high level of play was all the more remarkable given he had required a double shoulder reconstruction for some time.^[2]

With a tremendous work ethic and a fearless disposition on the field, Port Adelaide's Vice Captain has overcome both his shoulder problems and other serious injuries including two knee reconstructions^[3] to remain a vital part of the Power lineup a decade on.

He snapped his achilles tendon in the Powers win over the Kangaroos in the Semi Final and missed the Grand Final against Geelong.

Wilson announced his retirement from AFL football on 5 August 2008.^[4]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ "NAB AFL Rising Star", Official AFL Website. Accessed 17 May 2007.
2. ^ "Port head downhill with Wilson out", FootyGoss. Accessed 17 May 2007.
3. ^ "List of players who have previously undergone ACL reconstruction", injuryupdate.com.au. Accessed 17 May 2007.
4. ^ "Port Hero Wilson Retires", The Age, 5 August 2008. http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/port-hero-wilson-retires/2008/08/05/1217702006289.html Accessed 5 August 2008.

[edit] External links

• Michael Wilson (footballer) profile on the Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club
• Michael Wilson (footballer)'s statistics from AFL Tables