Recently delisted Brisbane Lion Carter Michael will continue his career at a VFL club, signing with the Williamstown Seagulls.
Drafted by the Lions via the 2020 Rookie Draft after being a part of Brisbane's Academy as a junior, Michael battled with injuries across his four years as a Lion, including a persistent quad strain this year.
Ultimately it held him back from pressing for selection, with the 22-year-old defender playing just one game in his career at Brisbane, hitting the Gabba turf against Essendon in Round 17, 2022.
Following Brisbane's premiership year, Michael was delisted alongside Kalin Lane in a list cull made by the Lions in October, whilst Irish teammate James Madden was also announced to have departed the club on the same day.
Welcome to our newest Seagull, Carter Michael!
Since making his VFL debut with the Lions in 2021, the 22 year old, has developed a long-range left foot and a strong ability to read the play. Carter got his shot at AFL in 2022 where he showed plenty of promise down back โญ pic.twitter.com/95x0WNifyq
— Williamstown FC (@WilliamstownFC) November 15, 2024
Michael joins James Cousins, Aiden Bonar, Riley Collier-Dawkins and the recently penned Huge Hall-Kahan as former AFL players to sign on at the Seagulls for 2025.
The Seagulls had a fairly successful season in 2024, finishing eighth on the VFL ladder, bowing out valiantly in the semi-finals against Michael's former side Brisbane. The addition of Michael will bolster a backline that conceded the eighth-least points per game in 2024.
Brisbane's VFL side would fall short by 20 points in the preliminary final against eventual premiers Werribee. With Michael's delisting, the Lions' list has openings for bids on father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft and Academy talent Sam Marshall. They hold Picks 27, 34, 42, 43, 49, and 58 heading into next Wednesday and Thursday night.
