Mick McGuane

Michael 'Mick' McGuane (born 29 December 1967) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented Collingwood and Carlton in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the 1980s and 1990s.

McGuane showed great promise for his local club Sebastopol in the Ballarat Football League. He made his senior debut for the club in 1985 while still a teenager and was a member of the side that lost heavily in the Grand Final to North Ballarat. Ignored by St Kilda, who had the Ballarat region in their recruiting zone, Collingwood were quick to pounce, and signed McGuane to their Under 19s squad for the 1986. McGuane made his senior debut 1987 with Collingwood and showed great skills as a running midfielder. In 1988 he finished second to Peter Daicos in the Copeland Trophy count. In 1990 he was one of five Magpies - others being captain Tony Shaw, Scott Russell, Graham Wright and Darren Millane - to accumulate over 500 disposals over the season. He was one of Collingwood's best players in their drought-breaking Grand Final victory over Essendon, acquiring 22 disposals and kicking a goal.

McGuane won consecutive Copeland Trophies in 1992 and 1993, and also won All-Australian selection in 1992. His career was at its peak and he was regarded among the elite in AFL Football, and part of his hard work was due to Darren Millane's trainer, who was asked by Mick to help his fitness. In 1994 he kicked an amazing running goal against Carlton at the MCG, which saw him run from the centre-square along the wing and half-forward flank, closing to 30m and kicking it through the middle. He bounced the ball 7 times during the famous run, and was deemed as one of the greatest goals of all-time.