The death of Sam McMichael
After a long and painful illness, Mr S. A. McMichael, a noted cricketer, footballer, and amateur boxer, died last Saturday morning at Brighton in his 51st year. One by one those who preceded us in the arena of sport, as well as those who played with and against us in many a heroic and strenuous encounter, are crossing the Great Divide.
As a footballer and cricketer McMichael had earned representative honours, and justified his selection by distinctive service on many an important occasion. I had just given up the game of football through injury when McMichael, a well-built and athletic youth, joined the ranks of Fitzroy, in course of time becoming a noted defender. The half back line in his time were Tom Banks, Alec Sloan, and himself, with Banks the captain, in the middle. Although possessed of a certain amount of dash and other qualities his outstanding attributes were grit, lasting power and tenacity, attributes which made him a player of decided mark and ability.
He was also a representative cricketer for many years, with a graceful and witty action, and while he did not succeed in making a century in Sheffield shield matches, he made many good scores, batting repeatedly with his usual doggedness when Victoria was in a tight corner. His highest individual effort was 97 against South Australia on the Melbourne ground. In an endeavour to force a boundary stroke to complete his century he hit across at one of Jack Reedman's and was skittled.
I have played with him in many games against our South Australian and Sydney friends, and he was always noted as a fighter. I remember on one particular occasion in Sydney in 1901, when we won a great match by one wicket, after having 344 runs to get in our second and last innings of the match, McMichael, keeping his end up for over an hour against Noble who was bowling beautifully, while his captain at the other end was slashing at the ball. Although not a brilliant fieldsman he was good and safe, and a sure catch.
In his younger days he was considered one of the most brilliant amateur boxers turned out by the old Melbourne Athletic Club, his mentor being Abe Hickey of world-wide fame. In every way he was a trier and he played for his side. He was also a fluent sporting writer, gifted with fine imagination. And to cap his other achievements he was a particularly fine swimmer, rarely missing his morning dip in the bay. He leaves a widow and three children.
Personally I have known Sam McMichael practically all my sporting life in Melbourne. He was the youngest member of a well-known and respected Clifton Hill family, an elder brother, Alf McMichael, being a great Carlton ruck man in the old days of Jack Gardiner, George Coulthard, and George Robertson, and later he was a champion of Norwood.
He was educated at Carlton College, entered the Education department, becoming a brilliant officer, and graduating into the Fitzroy Football Club and the East Melbourne Cricket Club. He was about 5 ft. 10in. in height, well built, and springy and of athletic build. It was as a member of the old East Melbourne club—gone, alas! like many of the old players—that McMichael made his name as a batsman.
He was contemporary with other famous players in Frank Laver, Peter McAlister, Harry Stuckey, and Arthur Christian, and became one of the most dashing and successful batsmen the ‘Jolimonters’ ever possessed. For years he and McAlister—classed as the two Macs—opened for East Melbourne, their penchant for making centuries taking the sting out of the opposition attack. Many three-figure scores are credited to McMichael in his long, honourable, and successful career as a Jolimonter, among his best efforts being scores of 246 not out, and 211.
He was a man of many parts, acting as hon. secretary to the E.M.C.C. in a most critical period of their fortunes, holding a like office to the Essendon Football Club. As a private citizen he was buoyant, alert, and witty, and beloved by all.
What grand cricketers have passed away in comparatively recent years in Tom Horan, Harry Boyle, W. Midwinter (“Old Mid”), Jack Harry, George McShane, Harry and Albert Trott, Charlie and Bob McLeod, Frank Laver, Frank Walters, Harry Graham, Dick Houston, Percy Lewis, and, last of all, Sam McMichael.
The burial of Mr S. A. McMichael took place in the new part of the Brighton Cemetery in the Presbyterian section last Monday afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering of personal friends and old-time cricketers and footballers. The pall-bearers were Messrs. W. Sheehan, M. H. Bottoms, C. McPherson. Gilchrist, H. Hall, J. Wren, E. E. Bean, M. Ellis, J. Bruce, and J. Worrall. The Cricket Association was represented by Messrs. H.R. Rush, E. E. Bean, M. Ellis, and P. A. McAllister; the Fitzroy Football Club by Messrs. T. Chandler, president, M. P. Green, secretary, and R. King and W. Smith, vice-presidents; the defunct East Melbourne Cricket Club by Messrs. W. Hickford, E. B. Manning, W. Gaggin, and F. Capewell; and the Melbourne Cricket Club by its secretary, Mr Hugh Trumble. Others present were S. and H. Donahoo, G. Stuckey, P. Farman, G. Robertson, J. Slight, C. Hickey, J. Hogan, W. Cleary, N. Batchelor, A. Clapham, W. Broadbent, and A. McCormack. The funeral arrangements were earned out by Messrs. Apps and Sons, and the Rev. T. Glass conducted the graveside service.
Footnotes
Title: The death of Sam McMichael
Publisher: The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic: 1864-1946)
Date: Saturday, 28 April 1923, p.2 (Article)
Author: John Worrall
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