Michael Barlow Biography

Michael Barlow will join North Melbourne as the Kangaroos' new head of development following a successful stint at standalone VFL club Werribee.

The 35-year-old has transitioned into coaching since departing the Suns at the end of 2018, starting as a playing assistant across his first two years back at Chirnside Park before being appointed as senior coach ahead of the 2021 season.

Barlow led the Tigers to their first grand final appearance in almost two decades on the back of a stunning 17-game winning streak in the second half of the season, before falling to Gold Coast in September's decider.

Michael Barlow compares his playing days with Fremantle to Gold Coast, saying the lack of scrutiny on the latter club may be contributing to their lack of success.

"In a professional environment you always have to be concerned about your position in the team or in the competition as a player, and I think at times you are sheltered a fair bit up there," Barlow said.

"You come away from some really horrible losses, and you would feel ordinary, but it'd pass pretty quickly because there isn't that external noise directly on the Gold Coast with people recognising you.

"You'd have a poor game at Freo and you might be nine wins and one loss, and you'd find it hard sometimes to get your morning coffee or walk down the street and get your groceries because you'd feel the eyes burning a hole in the back of your head."

Michael Barlow is delisted by Gold Coast after managing just three senior games in 2018.

Speaking on Fox Footy, Barlow said communication broke down between himself and Suns coach Stuart Dew.

"I felt like I was treated differently to other players in terms of opportunity given in terms of form and performance," Barlow said.

"On merit, I felt like there was a spot there for me. I felt like there was a line through my name."

Dew, however, had a different viewpoint.

"We were wary of the balance of the team," Dew said.

"We saw him as an inside mid and we had Jarryd Lyons and Touk (Miller) – who took his game to a new level – as an insider, and Dave (Swallow), and then Will Brodie.

"I was clear all year with him around where he sat and where we saw him."

Michael Barlow still has no definitive timeframe for his return after complications to a broken jaw suffered in the NEAFL earlier this month.

Barlow has successful surgery but has since suffered from Bell's palsy, a condition which paralyses the muscles on one side of the face.

Michael Barlow will have surgery on a fractured jaw and could miss up to a month of football.

Barlow sustained the injury in last weekend's NEAFL match against Southport and played the game out.

Suffering only minor pain, the veteran trained early in the week, but scans confirmed a minor fracture.

Tom Lynch and Steven May will again co-captain Gold Coast in 2018.

Ruckman Jarrod Witts and midfielder Pearce Hanley have been added to a leadership group that again contains David Swallow, Matt Rosa, Michael Barlow and Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli has stepped aside from the role.

"Both Tom and Steven have been extremely invested in the program since my arrival," Suns head coach Stuart Dew said.

"The eight-man leadership group will work closely with myself and the entire football department to ensure we can create an environment that is aligned to our values and provides the best possible opportunity for growth both on and off the field."

Michael Barlow admits to contemplating retirement after breaking his leg for a second time in 2017.

Barlow broke his left tibia and fibula in his debut season in 2010 with Fremantle and there were reminiscent scenes against Carlton last June when he again injured the same leg while being tackled.

However, his recent injury – a fractured fibula that required surgery – was nowhere near as severe as the original one.

"When it did happen, the recollection of my first broken leg, that was really a two-year recovery," Barlow told SEN radio.

"I got back playing within a year but was no good for a year pretty much. Soreness and agony getting out of bed and in the night with that one. Those memories did come flooding back, to be honest.

"Compared to the first one, (it was) about 15 per cent as severe, although it did kind of look as nasty."

Darcy MacPherson has been upgraded to the Suns' senior list, replacing Michael Barlow who will miss the rest of the season with a broken leg.

Michael Barlow has revealed he feared his career was over after he sustained the second serious leg break of his 138-game career last weekend.

"I didn’t fracture the tibia this time, which is the main weight bearing bone," Barlow told Channel Nine.

"I did a fair bit of damage to my ankle and fibula, but in terms of the first time I did it, they’re pretty much chalk and cheese.

"I’m really confident with this one, although I’m out for the rest of this season, the recovery time will be far more limited.

Barlow also recalled the moment he knew his 2017 season was over.

"I was in the tackle, I remember going for the ball and picking it up, and then I braced for the tackle, and then I did hear it … like a branch snapping," he said.

"So, no pain, but I heard the snap. I looked at the leg and it was all intact, so for a fleeting moment I was like 'maybe it’s ok'.

"With my hands I lifted my leg a little bit and saw it just wobble a bit down near the ankle; by that time no pain had set in.

"In my mind I was thinking about really significant people in my life at the time.

"You do start to think ‘OK, what does this mean?’, and I was probably going off thinking 'this might be it'. If you’ve done a 'Tib Fib' (tibia and fibula), you’ve done all kinds of damage.

"You’re thinking 'this is how it ends'. Not everyone can finish the way they like, so those things go through your mind."

Barlow, who played 126 games with Fremantle before moving to Gold Coast, spoke of the support he received from his former teammates.

"When it happens to you, you rationalise it all, you’re pretty calm, but other people aren’t so much," he said.

"I remember Hayden Ballantyne messaging me and saying he was in tears, and I’m like 'mate, never cry about me, you can’t take that too seriously'.

"And Tommy Sheridan, another great mate of mine from Freo was at a social event, and said he had to walk out and get some fresh air, and couldn’t be at ease with himself.

"Things like that make you really humbled that people take a real interest, not only for your football, which is secondary, but in your wellbeing.”

Michael Barlow is likely to miss the rest of the season after breaking his left leg in sickening fashion during the fourth quarter against Carlton.

The Gold Coast midfielder attacked a loose ball in traffic and gathered the footy before a Blues opponent fell across his lower left leg.

The Suns midfielder immediately knew he was in trouble, signalling for help from the trainers.

He was given pain relief on the field before being carried off on the medicart.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft confirmed after the game that Barlow had broken his leg again, and would have surgery on Sunday.

"He'll go into hospital tonight, have surgery tomorrow, but at this stage, it looks like he'll miss the rest of the season," Ashcroft told Channel Seven.

"He's been fantastic for us this year, his on-field performance and his leadership. And when he went off, they kicked three in a row, and that was the end of the story, unfortunately."

After being inducted into the Suns' leadership group, Michael Barlow says he hopes to have a significant impact on the club's future.

"Having had seven years in the system and being a little bit older than the core group here, I felt it would benefit myself to get here and play AFL, but also to mould and be part of something special, not only in the next two or three years, but be a big part of the club's direction in the next eight or 10 years," Barlow said.

"If I could sit back on the couch in 10 years, having a beer and watching a successful Suns era, I'd like to think I've had a little bit to play in that."

Jarrod Harbrow and Gary Ablett are dropped from the Suns' leadership group for 2017.

Harbrow and Ablett are replaced by off-season recruit Michael Barlow and midfielder Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa and David Swallow have held their spots in the group, alongside co-captains Steven May and Tom Lynch.

"Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa and David Swallow are already established leaders at our football club and in Michael and David's case they've been playing that role for some time," Suns coach Rodney Eade said.

"Similar to Matty Rosa last year, Michael Barlow has made an immediate impact on the playing group, leading by example on and off the field, and his elevation to the player leadership group demonstrates the influence he has had on the team in a relatively short period of time."

Michael Barlow joins Gold Coast as a delisted free agent on a two-year deal.

"I know that I have a lot more AFL football left in me. It's been a really tough last six or seven months, knowing the transition was coming, and the uncertainty of it all. I'm just super excited to sign on here," Barlow said.

"I've agonised over a decision on my future for that whole period. It definitely wasn't spur of the moment.

"There's been a lot of dialogue with myself and a couple of clubs. To make the decision over the past couple of days and make it all official has given me really good clarity to what lies ahead."

The Dockers did not put an offer forward to Michael Barlow at any point in 2016, despite him finishing eighth in the best and fairest from only 13 games.

"I would have loved to have a decision to make and be offered a contract. When you're going alright and think you deserve something to be put in front of you and it doesn't eventuate, that's probably the hardest thing to cop," Barlow said.

The club's slide down the ladder in 2016, from minor premier last year to third-last, was a key factor in the Dockers deciding not to keep the tough onballer.

"The whole football world knows the direction Fremantle is going and there's got to be some collateral (damage) along the way," Barlow said.

Barlow said he would play for any other club and did not rule out playing for cross-town rivals West Coast.

"Marty Pask, my manager, has had some really constructive approaches over the past little period. There's some good strong interest, which is really pleasing," he said.

Michael Barlow confirms that his career at Fremantle is over and will now be searching for a new club.

"About 30 minutes after round 17, 2016, I knew I had made my last play for the Fremantle Dockers," Barlow wrote through social media.

"I want to thank everyone involved with the football club for the past seven years, in particular my two coaches Mark Harvey and Ross Lyon.

"I am looking forward to the next challenge and have never been more motivated to continue my AFL career in 2017 and beyond.

"I'm off to find a new jumper, hopefully it fits. Forever grateful Freo."

Michael Barlow's manager Marty Pask says it is likely his client will not be playing for Fremantle in 2017.

"He's by no means out at Fremantle, but an interesting question at the moment is what Fremantle want to do with their list," Pask told SEN radio.

"Whether they want to get younger, whether or not there's younger players that need opportunity.

"All those sorts of mature discussions are taking place and if that means Mick gets an opportunity elsewhere, we'd certainly look at it."

Michael Barlow will meet with Fremantle to discuss his football future this week as he considers interest from "a handful" of rival clubs.

"Priority one is to just keep playing AFL football," Barlow said.

"I'm really confident that I'll keep playing AFL football.

"And Fremantle obviously haven't come to the table with a contract at the moment.

"So as I said, priority one is to keep plugging away in the AFL and I'm exploring all options."

Michael Barlow says he is confident that he has more good football ahead of him but he is unsure where his future lies.

"You've got to look at the plan A, B, C and D," Barlow said.

"That's what my management is in place for to be assured of a career going forward. Because I'm really confident of my body and my form, especially the last 10 weeks and the way I've held myself and conducted myself.

"What will be will be because we know it will be an interesting time at Fremantle."

Former Freo captain Matthew Pavlich says he would love to see out of contract teammate Michael Barlow remain at the club in 2017.

"I think any player that you have significant investment with, someone like Michael who has in essence died for the team as well on a few occasions, any player would love to see that, but that's not my decision," Pavlich said.

"We all love Mick and he puts his heart and soul into everything he does here. Hopefully it comes through."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, however, was coy when asked about Barlow's future on Channel Seven.

"We understand we're all under some pressure here and there's list management and list reviewing going on," Lyon said.

"The next six weeks will determine a lot of what occurs for all of us obviously."

Michael Barlow has been ruled out for the rest of the season after requiring surgery on the left shoulder he damaged in Fremantle's loss to Geelong.

Barlow damaged the AC joint after copping a heavy hip-and-shoulder from Cat Lincoln McCarthy in the third term of Friday's clash. He left the ground immediately and did not return.

"Michael has proven to be incredibly resilient throughout his career when returning from injury," Dockers football manager Chris Bond said.

"But due to the nature of the recovery and rehabilitation program he will start after surgery, Michael will not be available to play again this season."

Michael Barlow is ruled out for three-to-four weeks with a fractured finger.

Barlow suffered a fractured right finger late in Fremantle's loss to Collingwood at the MCG and was unable to shake hands with his opponents after the game.

"He got his finger caught in an awkward position and fractured it rather seriously," Dockers' sports science manager Jason Weber said.

"He's had surgery this week and he'll be around the three-to-four week mark before he can come back."

Michael Barlow says an honest conversation with Dockers coach Ross Lyon has led to his rejuvenation as a run-with midfielder.

Barlow produced a career-best performance against Port Adelaide, collecting 43 disposals and kicking 2 goals, just three weeks after spending a fortnight in the WAFL to recapture some form.

"I have a really close relationship with Ross. I feel really comfortable challenging him and clearly he is comfortable challenging me," Barlow said.

"I think that's a great environment to be in. Especially with the challenges of going back to the WAFL mid-year and having the honest conversations and not ducking and weaving around the corridors and being a little bit clouded as to the direction I was going personally and the club might have been going."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon sayd Michael Barlow has been invigorated by his new run-with role in the Dockers' midfield.

"It's invigorated Michael and it's forced some tactical involvement from the whole team to keep that tag in place," Lyon said.

"So we've enjoyed that. It's really what we used to do a lot more of - throw some stuff at the opposition that they need to react to.

"It's been good for everyone all round. It's got us involved. But for Michael, he's been invigorated by that. It certainly hasn't hurt him."

Michael Barlow has rubbished suggestions that he was on the trade table as Fremantle searched for a deal to secure Greater Western Sydney forward Cam McCarthy during the NAB AFL Trade Period.

"I only go off the discussions I have with the people that make the decisions. That's who is really close to me, Ross (Lyon) and Bondy (Chris Bond)," Barlow said.

"Nothing was ever mentioned to me in regards to that. So I don't get caught up in the innuendo of rumours and speculation, because I trust those guys with my life and my career.

"I never ever thought about giving up the mortgage in Melville and moving anywhere else because I'm a contracted player and have loved what this football club has provided to me and I just can't give it enough back."

Michael Barlow believes he is back to full fitness after being hampered through the first half of Fremantle's pre-season with a stress injury in his foot.

"I probably put four or five kilos on there without being able to do too much exercise," he said.

"But [I'm] all cherry ripe now and moving forward.

"I'm doing as much as anyone else now. I'm not being held back much at all, which is pleasing for me."

Michael Barlow has been added to Fremantle's list of injury concerns after returning home on crutches from Saturday's qualifying final loss to the Sydney Swans.

Barlow tallied 28 possessions against the Swans, but was seen on crutches on his return to Perth and may be in doubt to take on Port Adelaide in Saturday's semi-final at Patersons Stadium.

However, Fremantle says that the crutches were just precautionary.

Michael Barlow has suffered a blow ahead of the Dockers' September campaign, with the star midfielder to miss two weeks with a broken thumb.

Michael Barlow is outspoken regarding the possible implementation of zones in football.

"Like Netball? Mum would be happy. I hope not," Barlow said.

"I think some teams implement the congestion and the clutter a bit more than others.

"I think it's the greatest game in the world and I think the less we tamper with it the better."

Michael Barlow will miss from four to six weeks due to suffering a lateral sprain in a ligament in his left knee.

Michael Barlow signs a two-year contract extension to remain at the Dockers until the end of 2016.

"As soon as the club and my manager started to work through some options it didn't take too long to convince both parties to get the deal done," Barlow said.

After breaking his leg in 2010, Barlow was back to his best in 2013, averaging 26.5 disposals per game and polling a career-high 14 Brownlow votes.

"I think it was my most consistent [season]," Barlow said.

"I played two half years, my first two years, and then a full year but [was] still just starting to find my feet and find some form with the new coach and the new system coming in.

"In 2013 I think along with a lot of the other players we had really consistent years and that's what I really want to base myself on and be looked upon across the competition as a consistent player."

Despite undergoing minor jaw surgery, Michael Barlow still hopes to be available for selection this week.

"Michael is really upbeat and positive about getting back out and playing," general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

"He will be at home recovering later today and, at this stage, we are not discounting the possibility of Michael being available to play this week or next week."

Michael Barlow is taken to hospital to have scans after a nasty knock to the face during the final quarter of the Dockers' 38-point win at Patersons Stadium over North Melbourne.

"It's around his face region. It was really courageous. He never takes his eye off the ball. He set a real standard for the team today," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said after the game.

"He's been one of our best players."

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow says he's growing in confidence as he gets more continuity in training.

"The last month is the first time since my injury (in 2010) I've been able to string two training sessions together and play full games and pull up really well," Barlow said.

"The more training I can do and the more continuity of training, the better I'm going to feel. The confidence I've got out of my continuity of training and playing over the last month is just enormous."

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow showed some encouraging signs in his return from a broken leg after tallying 26 disposals in the loss to West Coast.

"His courage and how he's gone about it and what he's starting to do is on display and everyone inside the footy club is excited about him getting back to his best," Dockers coach Mark Harvey said.

"I thought he was starting to show some real signs of starting to get back to his best."

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow has signed a contract extension that will tie him to the club until 2014.

"As soon as the all clear was given, we were keen to get a commitment from Michael and, similarly, for the club to confirm its commitment to him," general manager of player management Brad Lloyd said.

"Michael had an outstanding debut season after coming off the rookie list and we believe he is very much a part of the long-term future of the Fremantle Dockers."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey confirms that Michael Barlow will make his long awaited return to football from a broken leg against Melbourne at the MCG.

"All the hard work's paid off," Harvey said.

"He's just excited to be back in the team, (so) hopefully he can take off from where he left it. I announced it to the players this morning and the applause was deafening."

Michael Barlow says he will not be affected mentally when he makes his playing return from a broken leg this weekend.

"If you start worrying about those kind of possibilities, it's just going to put you behind the eight ball from the start," Barlow said.

"I'm just going to play footy like I usually did. It's probably unrealistic to think that I'm going to go out and get 40 possessions or whatever. I'm just looking forward to having a kick of the football again."

Prolific Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow could be back within the first two months of the season according to coach Mark Harvey.

"He's really stepping up his running. I would envisage that in the next couple of weeks he will join in training and then we'll be able to assess things more once he joins in football training," Harvey said.

"Why it's hard to give an estimate of when he's playing is because of all the soft tissue around his leg that he may have issues with in his comeback, not necessarily with direct injury."

Fremantle sports science manager Jason Weber says midfielder Michael Barlow is progressing well in his recovery from a broken leg.

"Mick's on track with his recovery from the fracture and looks to be back this season in a good way," Weber said.

"Now that the bone is strong and recovered, one of the most important things is the soft tissue surrounding it."

Hawthorn draftee Isaac Smith says Michael Barlow and James Podsiadly have broadened the recruiter's horizons, allowing older players to play AFL.

"I'm just happy that Barlow and Podsiadly have opened the door and created some hype around VFL players because there are a lot of good players running around," Smith said.

Fremantle football manager Chris Bond says the club has not put a timeline on Michael Barlow's return.

"We don't want to put any pressure on him - we're not going to give him any dates or any times we want him to come back," Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

"He's been moving around on the leg fine and we've said all along we won't rush him. We see Mick as a long-term player at our footy club ... we're really happy with his progress."

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow has his sights set on playing again as early as round one of the NAB Cup in 2011.

"We try not to (target a return date) but the way we're going, barring setbacks we're looking good to get a good pre-season into my legs and we'll see how we go from there from the perspective of round one, NAB Cup," Barlow said.

"I have full faith in the physio department and medical department at Fremantle."

Michael Barlow is in good spirits and pain free, and will not miss all of 2011 as has been reported by some media outlets.

"From our point of view the feedback we're giving Michael is the feedback our medical people have given him and that's quite positive at this stage," Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

"We're really optimistic from the medical feedback that he'll be back playing good football for us next year. Michael needs to hear that now; he doesn't need to hear any of the negatives."

Teammate Ryan Crowley says Michael Barlow has the character to bounce back from his devastating leg injury.

"Me and Rhys (Palmer) went through a similar thing last year for the majority of the season and it's really tough to go through. Hopefully I can share some of my experience with him and offer a bit of a hand to him," Crowley said.

"I know the character that he's got, he'll come back bigger and better. He works so hard, he's a really good fella and he prepares himself so well, which is why I know he'll come back."

Midfield revelation Michael Barlow's season is over after breaking a leg against Port Adelaide.

"We're going to have to show a resolve amongst the group," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said about the loss of his star midfielder.

"I wouldn't have thought it would stop us from progressing. Football does test you in many ways. It's going to test us in the near future."

Fremantle defender Paul Duffield says Michael Barlow is such a hard worker that the Ross Glendinning Medal for being best on ground against the Eagles is just reward.

"He's had a fantastic start to the year," Duffield said.

"He's a really likeable guy and he's a hard worker and does all the right things. He's really humble with what he's trying to do. He's just trying to fill his role and play for the team (and) he's getting rewards for it."

Michael Barlow continued his stunning emergence by winning WA's Glendinning Medal in Fremantle's derby win against West Coast.

Barlow had 25 disposals and five clearances in just his sixth game for the club.

Fremantle rookie Michael Barlow's early impression has continued with his commitment to the club until the end of 2012 after he signed a new contract.

"Although Michael is only a few games into his career, we are very positive about his future prospects and his capacity to play a role in our midfield," list manager Brad Lloyd said.

"He's been through a lot of work in terms of our structure, how we want play and our stoppages. We've also worked hard with him on his defensive stuff.

"I think Mick is a bit of a ball-getter, he knows where to go to get the ball and he uses the ball pretty well, he's pretty efficient."

Barlow's debut for Fremantle has been recognised with an amazing nine votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year.

Barlow received nine of a possible 10 votes from coaches Mark Harvey and Neil Craig for his record-breaking 33-possession performance in Fremantle's win over Adelaide.

Michael Barlow makes his AFL debut for Fremantle with 33 disposals (13 kicks and 20 handballs), 6 marks, 4 tackles, 1 hitouts and 2 goals in a 56-point win over Adelaide.

Michael Barlow stole the show as Fremantle opened its 2010 campaign with a convincing win over Adelaide.

Barlow finished the game with 33 disposals and two goals, beating Bradd Dalziell's record of 32 possessions on debut since Champion Data began recording statistics in 1992.

Fremantle rookies Jay van Berlo and Alex Silvagni have been elevated into the senior side along with VFL recruit Michael Barlow ahead of their round one clash against Adelaide.

Fremantle has elevated former VFL player Michael Barlow onto its senior list as seven clubs announced their nominated rookies eligible for senior action.

"Coming in the back way into the AFL system I've trained at two other clubs, St Kilda at the end of 2007 and Essendon this year," Barlow said.

"I really drew a lot of good experiences from them and it's what I've wanted to do ever since I trained at St Kilda. Now that I'm here I'm going to make the most of it."