FREMANTLE Dockers great Michael Walters says being featured in a new mural at Midland Gate was an honour, as it was Midland’s people and places that taught him to love the game.

He announced his retirement in July after 239 AFL games and is the first player to be honoured in the shopping centre’s Midland Legends mural.

The mural was created by WA artists Brendan Lewis and Jade Dolman as part of a two-stage celebration of local football icons.

Former West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui, who grew up alongside Mr Walters and former Richmond player Chris Yarran on Midvale’s Bushby Street, will be painted next with Mr Naitanui’s portrait scheduled in early 2026.

When Echo News asked if there was a distinct spirit about Midland that was imbued into its players, Mr Walters said the element of having fun was pervasive and credited his experiences as a junior player.

“I think the main trait is just having fun,” he said.

“I think the spirit came from just the people around the area – I had a big connection with the area and the coaches in Stuart Blight, who was my junior football club coach right through my ranks.

“Stuart Blight and Frank Cavicchio in particular were huge drivers in me having enjoyment.

“A lot of people lose sight of having fun in football, especially when they get to the highest level.

“But yeah, I think the main trait is just always having fun and always enjoying football.”

Mr Walters also trained at Wally Bates Boxing Club from the age of eight under the late Senior Constable Bevan O’Donnell, who he described as a strong mentor.

“Bevan, before he passed away, was always one of my biggest supporters,” he said.

“He was a massive Collingwood supporter, but he was always proud of what I was able to achieve and he’d tell me that regularly.

“I also took a few AFL players there to train, like Bobby Hill, Kozzy Pickett, Liam Ryan, Nic Nat came down at a session and Brad Hill as well.

“So there was always a strong link between that and football, and boxing was a big part of that in terms of getting fit.

“It’s a different cardio and also it was fun as well.”

Mr Walters said though he’s happy to see the mural for himself, the thought of his mum driving past it during her daily life as a Midland resident and feeling proud is what he truly appreciates

“I’ve been in AFL 17 years, so I think it’s just more so for my mum, because my mum’s still in the area,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for my mum or my dad or my brother, I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in now.

“Having a mural is cool but there’s no doubt that it’d be more cool for my mum to drive past and be proud of it as well.”

Now adjusting to life after footy, Mr Walters said although he planned to take six to seven months off, he has found himself growing restless in the month after his retirement.

“It’s been an unbelievable career, but I’m also that much more excited about the next phase of my life,” he said.

“The stay-at-home dad duties are never ending.

“I’ll give a shout out to all the mothers out there that are staying at home because it is a tough job and you don’t realise until you’re doing it how much work they do putting that home together while the men and the husbands are out there working.

“A huge shout out to the mums and also the stay-at-home dads out there because it is a tough job.”

Mr Walters said from growing up on Midvale’s Bushby Street, spending time with friends at Midland Gate after boxing for fitness at the Wally Bates boxing club and playing colts for Swan Districts to representing the area at the highest levels of Australian rules gameplay, he’s a proud Midland man through and through.

“Midland Gate was always like a spot that all the mates would go to and to have a mural there, I’m proud of it.

“I used to be around that area, which made it all that more special.

“Like I said, I’m a proud Midland boy.”