It’s a five-hour drive from Perth to Denmark on WA’s southern coast, which can be quite the chore for any driver, especially with a young family in the car and a caravan in tow.

After another hectic season – his best yet in his 11 years of AFL football – forward/midfielder Michael Walters used this time over the Christmas break to reflect, something he doesn’t get the opportunity to do during the winter months.

This trip to Denmark came immediately after he and wife Marni spoiled their daughters Laila, Addison and Mackenzie with a trip to Legoland in Singapore, a ‘holiday’ Walters described as ‘stressful’ with ‘too many kids running around’.

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It was almost ironic coming from a player who is routinely Freo’s most high-energy player on and off the field.

But after constantly giving his all at training and on gameday, even Sonny needed the time to switch off.

“Going to Denmark was more of a mental relaxation for me, a chance to go out into the country,” Walters said.

“Even the drive was good for me. We may have had a caravan on the back, but the kids were asleep, Marni was asleep at times and it was just a chance to think and reflect while driving down there.”

Walters said he loves the feeling of leaving the city behind.

“I love going around the country, I love seeing it and Denmark was also unbelievable,” Walters said. 

“We got to go to Greens Pool and we had a bit of a swim at the beach.”

To Walters, the location was just an aside when it came to spending time with his family and having the chance to celebrate Mackenzie’s second birthday.

“You don’t want to miss your kids’ birthdays, or their first days of school or miss their assemblies and things like that,” Walters said.

“I try and be as present as much as I can as a dad. I play footy because of them. I want them to have a good life, I want them to stick at something even though it’s hard at times, to get something and really make the most of it.

“In saying that, it’s always good to just chill out and know that you’re doing something with a purpose and for a purpose as well, which is my family.”

Even on his break, Walters enjoyed being able to be a Freo Docker at times.

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The newly crowned All Australian forward was a hit with locals and the hundreds of other tourists from Perth.

“As we were in Denmark over Christmas, it was pretty packed,” Walters said.

“There were a few kids that came up to me and said hello, which I also enjoyed as I also like to talk to people.

“I especially like to talk to kids and just be a normal bloke to them, as you can’t really do that during the footy season, as everyone wants you for other stuff.

“It’s good to just chill out and relax and be normal for once.”

Walters didn’t leave too much of Freo behind him, joined by teammate Nathan Wilson and Freo’s Indigenous liaison officer Michael Johnson in Denmark.

He said there was a bond at the club between the players who have families.

“I gravitate to guys like Willo as well as Johnno, who I played a lot of footy with over the years here at Freo,” Walters said.

“We all have the connection, three of us have kids and Stephen Hill is one of those guys who loves kids as well, so it’s always good to bring him into it. 

“Our kids know each other, it’s always good for them to hang out, grow up in this footy world together, and also create that real bond as it gives us a chance to come together and also relax as well.” 

Back at the club, Walters is embracing his leadership role and is especially vocal at training as he sets the standard for the young Fremantle playing group.

He said he isn’t feeling the pressure to back up his All Australian season, with his focus purely on team success. 

“Everyone brings it (the All Australian) up, but for me, I don’t go out to play for individual accolades whatsoever,” Walters said.

“I want team success, I want everyone to improve and I want to improve as well.

“In terms of me getting All Australian, I don’t feel any pressure in that, I’m just going to continue going out there, enjoy footy, enjoy training and enjoy my time around the club because I am getting older.

“I won’t be able to be in another environment like this outside of footy. I want to get something bigger out of my footy career, I want that ultimate goal and that team success.”