Michael Frederick (footballer)

2020–2021: Early career

Frederick made his AFL debut for Fremantle during round seven of the 2020 AFL season in the Western Derby at Optus Stadium, kicking a goal on debut.^[5] Frederick finished his debut year having played 10 games and kicked four goals.^[6]

On 7 March, in a pre-season practice match against West Coast, Frederick suffered a low-grade calf strain.^[7] As a result, he missed Fremantle's opening game of the season against Melbourne, before returning to the line-up in Round 2.^[8] In Round 8 against Brisbane, Frederick suffered an ankle injury during a marking contest in the first quarter and was substituted out of the game.^[9] It was later confirmed to be an ankle syndesmosis injury. He required surgery, with an estimated recovery time of 10–12 weeks, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season.^[10]

2022: Breakout season

Frederick made his return in Round 1 of the 2022 AFL season against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval,^[11] recording 8 disposals and kicking 1 goal.^[12] He was quiet the following week, recording just the 6 disposals and 1 behind before starting to find some consistency, kicking 2 goals in each of his next 3 games.^[12] In Round 11, Frederick had a stand-out performance against Melbourne at the MCG. He kicked two important goals in the second half and finished with a game-high 11 score involvements, 17 disposals and four marks to be one of Fremantle's best players in the 38-point win. He received an equal team-high 8 coaches' votes (tied with Rory Lobb) for his performance.^[13] Frederick again had a strong performance the following week in Fremantle's top four clash against Brisbane, kicking 3 goals and amassing 18 disposals, 7 score involvements and 10 marks in the 14-point win.^[14]

Later that month, Frederick was handed a one-match ban by Fremantle after consuming alcohol during a six-day break. As a result, he missed Fremantle's Round 13 game against Hawthorn.^[15] Frederick was again one of Fremantle's best players in Round 17 in a 41-point win over St Kilda, kicking an equal game-high 3 goals.^[16] In July, Frederick signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him at Fremantle until at least 2026.^[17] Frederick finished the season having played a career-high 22 games, including both of Fremantle's finals appearances, in a breakout season.^[12] He finished third in Fremantle's leading goalkicker award with a career-best 28 goals, only behind Rory Lobb (36 goals) and Lachie Schultz (30 goals).^[18]

2023–2024

Frederick made a memorable impact in Round 20 of the 2023 AFL season in Fremantle's 7-point win over Geelong at Kardinia Park, kicking an "unbelievable goal" at a crucial stage in the game from a difficult angle to help win the match.^[19][20] Despite being labeled "one of the goals of the season" by Fox Sports journalist Mark Howard,^[19] it failed to receive the Goal of the Year nomination, with Taylor Walker of the Adelaide Crows instead winning the nomination.

Frederick made the line-up for Fremantle's opening game of the 2024 AFL season against the Brisbane Lions. He collected 15 disposals and kicked an impressive goal in the final quarter during the 23-point win.^[21] He kicked two goals the next week against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.^[22]

2025

In Round 20 of the 2025 AFL season, Frederick kicked 4 goals against West Coast, both a career-high and a game-high.^[23] He finished the season having played every game and with a career-best 30 goals,^[24] which placed him fourth in the leading goalkicker award.^[25] He also finished seventh in the best and fairest award count, the Doig Medal.^[24] In September, he signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him at Fremantle until at least 2029.^[26]