Picture: Max Michalanney (right) ahead of training at West Lakes
When Max Michalanney was growing up, he always had a football in his hands.
His father, Jim Michalanney, was a Norwood great who lined up in 211 SANFL games and won premierships in 1975, 1978, 1982 and 1984.
Now, Max is keen to create his own path in the sport.
The 18-year-old is part of the 2022 Crows Academies NGA Squad and he has been given an insight into what it takes to be an AFL player.
As part of his involvement in the Crows Academies NGA Squad, Max worked with Adelaide players, coaches and staff and trained with the AFL squad during pre-season.
Speaking on the The Crows Show, Max, who also qualifies under the father-son rule for Adelaide, says the academy program has helped fast track his development.
“(The) Crows Academy has been really helpful in my development,” Max said.
“Especially Jarrod Meers (Crows Academies Manager) getting me out there and including me with AFL boys.
“(I’ve been) getting some experience on how they go about it and things like that so that’s definitely fast tracked my development and I’m really grateful to be out there.”
Max was named the MVP for South Australia at the 2021 under-18 AFL National Championships.
He is also set to line up in this year’s junior national championships before the 2022 AFL National Draft later this year.
“I’m just hoping to put a couple of good games together in the state champ (and) hopefully get picked for all of them,” Max said.
“(I want to) find some good consistent form and put my best foot forward.”
Jim said he and his wife Amanda supported Max’s football dream but they had never pushed him towards an AFL career.
“It’s a household that's just immersed in footy,” Jim said.
“He's (Max) pretty grounded, he doesn't get in front of himself
“We support him… (but) if he doesn't get drafted there's other things available for him.”
In 2020, James Borlase and Tariek Newchurch became the first Crows Academies NGA players to be contracted to an AFL club when they were drafted to the Adelaide Football Club.
