A limited piece recognising one of footy's greatest ever champions is giving back to his prolonged work away from the sport empowering young people.
An Indigenous team of the Century member and one of WA's most celebrated icons of the game, Stephen Michael is donating all proceeds of commemorative memorabilia to his foundation.
Across a 243-game decade-long career in the 1970s and 80s, Michael dominated the WAFL with South Fremantle.
The champion ruck collected five best and fairests at the Bulldogs to go with a flag and dual Sandover Medals.
Born in Wagin and developing what would become one of the footy's defining careers in the Wheatbelt town of Kojonup, Michael began his playing days at South Fremantle as a 19 year-old.
Since his retirement, he's widely regarded as among the best to never cross over east to the VFL.
The first Indigenous player to be named captain of the All Australian side, Michael played 17 state games for WA.
It's a legacy immortalised on 125 commemorative personally signed and certified lithographs developed in conjunction with AFL Licensed agents SE Products and The Stephen Michael Foundation (SMF).
Post-career, Michael has worked with young people empowering them to reach their full potential through mentoring courses, sports and educational pathways through his foundation, established in 2017 with South Fremantle.
All profits from lithograph sales will go to the foundation.
"Through the Foundation, he is creating real change for young people in Western Australia," SMF chair Chrissie Maus said of the foundation at an event last week.
"We hope that this incredible recognition inspires more people to support our work and the communities we serve."
Speaking of his 'humbling' recognition as 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree, the Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee told National Indigenous Times the foundations work importantly engages with Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids alike - something critical to realising a better Australia.
Speaking on Seven football program The Front Bar last week, Michael joked the commemorative pieces are worth $2 million a pop.
The exclusive pieces are going for a fair bit less at $495 each.
