From game one it was pretty clear that Michael Aish was simply better than most of those around him. He had better balance, better skills, better vision. Throughout the 1980s “Aishy” - or “Rowd” - exploited what he had going for him to become arguably the best SANFL player of that decade. Along the way he won Norwood’s first Magarey Medal for 15 years, and became the club’s only player to be named in two All Australian teams, on the second occasion as vice-captain. Michael’s sublime intuitive skills were honed as a boy by his father Peter, a Norwood captain in his day. The son needed all those skills, including evasiveness, at the ready for all his 15 seasons because while Michael lacked nothing in courage, he lacked plenty in weight. That meant his body often took a hammering when his opponents did manage to catch him, and injuries were Michael’s constant companion throughout his career. Playing with pain earned him the respect of his teammates, but it was his sheer ability that drew the crowds. A Michael Aish day out was a masterclass in the creative possibilities of Australian football, something to savour and talk about for a long, long time.

Games: 307 Goals: 449
Premierships: 1982, 1984 Captain: 1987-89
Club champion: 1981, 1983-84, 1992
Further honours: Magarey Medal 1981, Norwood Player Life Member, Norwood Team of the Century, SANFL Hall of Fame, All Australian 1983, 1986, Fos Williams Medal for best player in State game 1983, SA captain 1986, 1989, SA games 15.

<< Back