A two-time Brownlow medallist faces off against a two-time Sandover medallist who broke records aplenty in this week's match-up of afl.com.au's The Deadliest.
Who's your pick: Adam Goodes or Stephen Michael?
As a feature of the new Yokayi Footy show on NITV and AFL.com.au, the 16 contenders to be the Greatest Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander player have been placed into a tournament-style bracket, based on their career achievements and the selectors' votes.
Week 5 results
Last week's round of The Deadliest saw one of the game's finest ruckmen in 'Polly' Farmer matched against the brilliant Swans forward Michael O'Loughlin. The results were:
- Graham 'Polly' Farmer 69% v Michael O'Loughlin 31%
- Farmer moves on to face Barry Cable in the quarter-finals.
Match-up 7: Adam Goodes v Stephen Michael
Adam Goodes
- Sydney
- Adnyamathanha/Narungga
- 372 games, 464 goals, two-time premiership player, two-time Brownlow medallist, four-time All-Australian, Indigenous Team of the Century
Versatility might be the biggest key to Goodes' claim to this award
He won a Brownlow Medal playing as an undersized ruckman in 2003, claimed another one as a midfielder in 2006 and led Sydney's goal kicking in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Goodes held the record for the most games by an Indigenous player until Shaun Burgoyne broke the record in 2019.
With two premierships in seven years, Goodes' longevity was a crucial reason for Sydney's success.
Additionally, Goodes' well-documented racial vilification battles will forever stand as a key reference point for how Australia deals with discrimination issues in future.
Stephen Michael
- South Fremantle
- Noongar
- 243 games, 231 goals, Australian Football Hall of Fame, West Australian Football Hall of Fame, WAFL Premiership 1980, All-Australian Captain 1983, two-time Sandover medallist
Stephen Michael was a ruckman with an incredible leap and impressive durability.
He holds the WAFL record of 217 consecutive league games.
After winning the Sandover Medal for best player in the WAFL in 1980, Michael set a record the next year when he claimed the medal for a second time with 37 votes.
Michael had nine best on ground performances and polled in 15 of the 21 matches he played in.
Peter Matera credits Michael as one of the players who paved the way for him, while Maurice Rioli said Michael was the 'best Indigenous player' he'd ever played with and watched.
