Australian Football

A tough, resolute defender who gave his opponents very little leeway Michael Gayfer was an underrated member of Collingwood's 1990 premiership side. The Magpies recruited him from Caulfield in the VFA and he went on to play 142 V/AFL games between 1986 and 1993. His ultra-defensive mindset can readily be inferred from the fact that he only kicked one goal in his entire V/AFL career.

A fitness fanatic, Gayfer could be relied upon to  be among the best prepared Collingwood footballers on match days. He summarised his career thus: “I understand I was never the most naturally talented player, in terms of skills or speed or that sort of thing. I had to work pretty hard to get the most out of my career, so I’m pretty happy with everything I achieved.”[1] His relentlessly aggressive approach made him something of a cult figure at Victoria Park and his team mates had a saying which summed up the esteem in which he was held - “No one is safer than Micky Gayfer.”[2]

Author - John Devaney