In 2006, Michael finished equal runner-up (with Peter Bell) in Fremantle's Doig Medal Best & Fairest count, further underlining his credentials as a prospect for the future [REF].
In 2009, he was appointed captain of the club for a pre-season derby[REF] and despite missing the second half of the 2009 season due to an ankle injury,[REF] he was officially included in the leadership group for the 2010 season.