When George Michalczyk went to East Perth at the age of  eighteen he had already coached a senior side to a premiership.The bank teller from Narembeen had been transferred to Exmouth in 1971, was immediately installed as captain-coach of the club, and guided them to a flag the following season. A gifted centreman and onballer, Michalczyk was the subject of attention from both East and West Perth when he moved to the city in 1973, but  reigning premiers, the Royals, were in the box seat with George’s brothers Richard, who played 67 games in the blue and black plus 24 at North Melbourne,  and Eddie among their number.  Groomed as a rover by East Perth, he was selected in the side for the final league practice match of the 1973 pre season, but due to having played in a basketball grand final the night before the game, was transferred to the colts game. As a result he stayed with the colts for the season, playing in the midfield.It was another double sporting engagement, on this occasion concerning half back Garry Martin, that was to see him move into defence, where he was to become a star of the WANFL. “Garry was playing in a pennant cricket final, and had played a big innings,” George said. “He was a withdrawal from the scratch match, Steve Curtis moved to a flank and I was placed in a back pocket.” Michalczyk, in his first assignment as a defender, took to the role like a duck to water, shaping a permanent spot for himself in defence.  An immaculate kick by either foot, dependable high mark, and canny reader of the play, George was ideally suited for either the back line or midfield, and was soon on the radar of VFL clubs. After a slashing year in 1976, he was signed by Footscray, and moved to Melbourne to join the club. Having done a full pre season with the Doggies, capped off by a blinder against North Melbourne in the last hit out, he was assured of a spot in the league side for round one.  “The night before the game I was informed that there was a hitch with my clearance from East Perth,” George recalled. “It dragged out  to be an exercise in futility, with both myself and Ross Glendinning(at North Melbourne) refused transfers as part of club policy.”The pair eventually returned to Perth Oval, where they were promptly played in the seconds, presumably to make a point. His interest in a stint in Victoria was revived when an offer was received from Fitzroy on Boxing Day, 1977. “I’d recently married, and had bought a home here, and although I did toy with the idea, decided against it,” George said.Michalczyk was a member of the East Perth side that won the 1978 premiership in an upset over Perth. Selected for his State debut the following season, Michalczyk continued his good form, with a lucrative deal with West Perth the catalyst for a move there in 1980, where he continued his career as a ruck rover. It was to be a frustrating period, however, injury being responsible for him chalking up just fifty eight appearances in five years with the Cardinals. Retiring in 1985, George had a break  before returning as coach of the club, making the four in his first season but the loss of fourteen players the following year reduced his brief to one of rebuilding.Since retiring from the playing arena, George Michalczyk took an active interest in nephew Dean Cox’s football career, as a guiding hand and manager, and counts his time with the star ruckman as a highlight of his involvement with football.  George established Motive Travel in 1973, and has seen the business evolve into one of Western Australia's largest independently owned travel agencies, with a reputation envied by most in the industry. Although still a busy man, he manages to find time for a round of golf at Royal Perth Golf Club.West Perth’s Shane Sheridan, “a real will o the wisp,” was his pick as hardest opponent, while best he played with were Glendinning, Alan Quartermaine, and Phil Kelly.  A life member at East Perth, George Michalczyk is still a footy fanatic, following the WAFL games every weekend, and rarely misses an Eagles match. A one hundred and fifty four game player with the Royals to go with his fifty eight at West Perth,  Michalczyk  enjoyed an outstanding football career, and his association has been maintained through his continuing personal and business involvement with the sport.