Michael Walters and Fremantle might be playing one of their most important games in six years, but the soon to be 200-gamer is still focusing on enjoying his football as much as he can.
When Fremantle run out against GWS on Saturday at Manuka Oval in Canberra, Walters will become the 12th Fremantle player to reach the milestone, joining Shane Parker (2005), Shaun McManus (2007), Matthew Pavlich (2009), Paul Hasleby (2010), Antoni Grover (2011), Luke McPharlin (2013), Aaron Sandilands (2014), David Mundy (2014), Michael Johnson (2015), Stephen Hill (2018) and Nat Fyfe (2021).
Senior Coach Justin Longmuir called the clash Fremantle’s biggest of the year as they look to win to keep their top four hopes alive.
Walters said he thrives off the nerves created by high-stakes football as he focuses on enjoying the big moments.
“Finals footy is a completely different brand of footy. Much harder, the crowd is up and about and there’s a lot more on the line,” Walters said.
“For me it’s just enjoying that as much as I can. Those nerves, if you use it the right way, can be really beneficial going into games. There’s ways to harness it.
“I’ve been playing for 14 years and I know when I’m done with footy, it’s a feeling that I’m truly going to miss.”
The 30-year-old was one of Fremantle’s best in last week’s RAC Derby, with two goals, eight marks, four tackles, seven score involvements and a personal season high of 102 ranking points.
He also had a couple of moments where ‘Sonny’ the person came out, having a laugh with one of the television cameras and performing a ‘Midland’ celebration after one of his goals.
“Although footy is a pretty serious industry, every time I step out on the field, I’m trying to be myself,” Walters said.
“I’m trying to show no matter where you get to in life, don’t try and change your personality and who you are, just keep being you and just enjoy it.
“I’m a proud Midland boy, there’s been a lot of good players to come out of Midland. I want to continue to be a role model and continue to drive a lot of young kids to pursue what they want to do in life...to show them that if I can do it, you can do it.
“That’s a cliché but it’s true, and I want to show that by being myself.”
Walters is also proud add to Fremantle’s proud Indigenous culture by becoming the fourth Indigenous player to reach 200 games, joining Hill, Johnson and Grover.
“I’ve played a lot of footy with those boys, for me to reach 200 games, especially here at the Fremantle Dockers, it’s massive,” Walters said.
“There’s a proud Indigenous culture here and there’s going to be many more who follow me. I love this football Club.”
As for his wish for his milestone game, a Freo win and plenty of goals.
“It’s good to get on the end of a few goals, a lick of the ice cream is always good…and I love my ice cream!”
Friendship strong enough to break a tag
Gallery: Main training 17 August
'Saturday is the day'
