collingwood cfc watermark image
21
Michael
CHRISTIAN
Michael
CHRISTIAN
1987-1995
CENTRE HALF-BACK
191cm
96kg
Recruited From
East Perth
Collingwood Debut
Round 1, 1987
Date of Birth
21 August 1964
thumbnail
131
CFC GAMES
23
CFC GOALS
8
Finals
888
CFC Debut Number
CAREER AVERAGES
Disposals
13.7
Kicks
7.7
Handballs
6
Goals
0.2

A talented key position player who made his name as one of the 20 men who took Collingwood to premiership glory in 1990.

Christian was recruited from East Perth and made an immediate impression at Victoria Park, making his debut alongside six other first-timers against Sydney in round one of 1987.

Christian missed only four more games for the season, mostly in defence, but went forward to kick three goals from six scoring shots against the Eagles in his native state.

He was a regular selection in defence over the three years that followed, but missed the Qualifying Final draw against the Eagles in 1990 He was selected for the Replay and made good on his chance, earning 24 disposals, a goal and five hitouts as a makeshift ruckman.

He played an important role in the Grand Final win over Essendon with 19 disposals and famously kicked seven goals against the same opposition just one week later during an exhibition match in London.

Injuries hampered his progress in the years following the premiership but he still remained a regular when fit and firing.

Christian bowed out at the end of 1995, but still featured in the famed ANZAC Day draw against Essendon and remained a popular clubman to the end, winning the Darren Millane Memorial Trophy in his final year.

He was made a Life Member in 2001 and he was a key member of Channel 10's football coverage from 2002 until 2011. He also co-hosted the first season of Collingwood's television program The Club in 2012.

CFC Career Stats

Season played Games Goals Finals Win %
1987-1995 131 23 8 51.1%

CFC Season by Season Stats

Season GP GL B K H T D Guernsey No.
Full Name
Michael Christian
CFC Last Game
Round 17 1995
Total AFL Games
131
Total AFL Goals
23

Other CFC Games

Team League Years Played Games Goals
Collingwood Night/Pre-season 1988 - 1995 8 6
Collingwood Reserves 1990 - 1995 38 15

Awards

Best Clubman (Darren Millane Memorial Trophy)
1995
CFC Life Member
2001
Premiership
1990