As our Wayback WAFL video series continues, watch how Stephen Michael so often gave his rivals a ruck masterclass on his way to a remarkable Australian Football Hall of Fame career.

WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

The Wagin product is considered by many to be the best-ever WA player to resist the lure of heading east to accept offers to play in the VFL.

It gave the 188cm ruck star more time to enhance his WAFL legacy, which included two Sandover medals and five best-and-fairest prizes across 243 at South Fremantle between 1975 and 1985.

The athletic ruckman was not only ahead of his time, but as tough as they come. Michael remains the recordholder for the most consecutive WAFL league games at 217.

He also shone at state level, playing for WA 17 times and snaring a Simpson Medal in 1983.

Watch the best of Michael in the player above and don’t miss more Wayback WAFL stars across the coming fortnight in the lead-up to the grand final!