Buti's Call: Tale of two generational ruckmen carries similar threads

Michael, who arguably was the first of the great mobile ruckmen who played more like a ruck rover, came up from Kojonup to play with South Fremantle in 1975. By the time he hung up his boots at the end of the 1985 season, he had played 243 games and kicked 231 goals.

He was a member of South Fremantle's 1980s premiership team and was club fairest and best in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1983, a dual winner of the Sandover Medal (1980/81), Simpson Medallist for the best player in the 1983 interstate clash between WA and SA and the winner of the 1983 Tassie Medal as best player across the nation at State of Origin level.

Michael was named captain of the 1983 All-Australian Team, inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1999, selected in the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005 and earlier this year was elevated to 'Legend Status' in the WA Football Hall of Fame.

He is considered one of the best players never to play in the VFL/AFL and resisted numerous attempts from clubs to move to Victoria due to his loyalty for the South Fremantle Football Club.

Naitanui, apart from All-Australian selection in 2012 and mark of the year in 2015, has not achieved the individual honours bestowed on Michael, nor does he have the durability and "luck" with injury that Michael enjoyed.

The South Fremantle champion holds the WAFL record for the most consecutive league games with 217, while Naitanui missed the entire 2017 season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in round 22 of the 2016 season.

He came back in 2018, playing probably his best football since his 2012 All-Australian accolade, but in round 17 suffered another ACL against Collingwood, missing the finals and grand final victory.

He returned to the Eagles in round 15 this season against Hawthorn at the MCG but in his third game back, once again against the Pies, he suffered an ankle injury when Jeremy McGovern fell on him as both players were going for a high ball against an opponent.

Michael was not a tall ruckman, standing 188cm (6ft 2in) and weighing in with a playing weight of 90kg. But he had a massive presence on the field with his great leap, mobility and hardness.

In comparison, Naitanui stands 201cm (6ft 7in), with a playing weight of 110kg. His height and bulk, along with his massive leap and great mobility, ensures his impact is noticeable and significant.

West Coast's midfielders seem to have an extra spring in their step when Naitanui is playing, enjoying the ball being presented on a platter through the tap work of their imposing ruckman.

Michael also had the ability to bring his smaller teammates into the game with his elite ruck work but the taller Naitanui probably shades Michael when it comes to tap work at stoppages.

While Naitanui has taken some incredible marks, including his 2015 screamer when he jumped high in a pack against Geelong at Subiaco Oval, Michael was the more consistent high marking ruckman.

In fact, Michael’s weekly performances were more consistent than Naitanui's so far. Michael was a better all-round footballer than the Eagles champion, reading the game better than Naitanui does. He was nearly always in the game, while there have been moments in matches when Naitanui goes missing, although he has improved in this department as his AFL career developed.

Michael was a naturally talented footballer and a good athlete. Naitanui is a naturally talented athlete who excelled at track and field, particularly high jump, and a good footballer.

The end result is the same: both outstanding mobile ruckmen and so important to their teams.

In addition to having many similarities in their playing styles, they also seem to share admirable character traits.

Both ruckmen come from modest and humble childhoods.

Naitanui was born in Penrith, New South Wales to Fijian immigrants. His father passed away from cancer a year later and his mother moved to Perth to be nearer her brother, where Naitanui would end up residing in Bushby Street in Midvale, along with current Dockers star Michael Walters and former Carlton and Richmond midfielder Chris Yarran.

Naitanui’s mother, who passed away in 2015, raised him and his twin brother Mark (two elder siblings had remained in Suva when his parents emigrated to Australia) while working at Homeswest and volunteering at a homeless shelter. She instilled in her sons the virtues of hard work, commitment and helping others.

Michael grew up with his parents in Kojonup where they taught him the importance of hard work, humility, respect and loyalty. Michael’s loyalty to those who helped him along his career path and life are well known.

For a large part of Michael’s career at the Bulldogs, he was coached by WA football legend Malcolm Brown, whose wife Kay passed away earlier this year in Melbourne after losing a long battle with cancer. For the last two years of her life, Michael would ring Malcolm to check in on his former coach and Kay.

Naitanui and Michael are humble, more comfortable speaking about the achievements of teammates and the team, rather than themselves.

NicNat is involved in numerous charitable causes and events and Michael has lent his name and time to the Stephen Michael Foundation, which aims to open opportunities for young people in the community.

Stephen Michael and Nic Naitanui, champions on and off the field.

Tony Buti is the state member for Armadale, a published author and keen football follower.