The WAFL has been littered over the years with players destined for greatness but denied the opportunity to  collect on their ability through injury. The career of Michael Mort is a case in point. Making his debut in late 1982, as a seventeen year old, whilst still at high school after overcoming a broken leg in the previous season , he showed enough in eight games that year and six the next to gain selection in the State squad, and attract the attention of Hawthorn. But injury was to become a constant partner.   In all, half of Mort's league stint of six years were spent on the sidelines. A product of the Jolimont (later to become Churchlands-Wembley) juniors, Michael Mort was a member of the West Australian Teal Cup team when playing with Subiaco Colts, and was a regular member of Subiaco Junior combined sides.  Subiaco invited him to train with the Colts towards the end of 1980, and the gods gave him the thumbs down immediately.  After just the one training run, Mort was struck down with appendicitis, and forced to abandon any plans of football for the remainder of the season. Resuming in 1981, he played with the colts, but broke a leg in round 15, which also brought that year to an early end.  Playing the first seven games of 1982 with the colts and graduating to the reserves, Michael made his league debut in round fourteen against East Perth. The return of Peter Featherby in 1984 in the middle saw Mort used as a half forward flanker, and he starred in the position, with critics hailing a new star on the scene.   His skills on both sides of the body plus his general football ability and reading of the play saw him named Subiaco's best first year player after just eight appearances. State squad selection early in 1983 gave Mort a flying start to his career, but it was short-lived, and he was never able to get his career on track afterwards.  A serious groin injury sidelined him for eight games, and, although playing in the final six fixtures, it was still a concern for both him and the club. On the recommendation of coach Haydn Bunton, Subiaco sent the young Mort to an Adelaide surgeon, who finally was successful after three operations, but it cost a season of football.   Resuming solo training in 1985 with the aid of Trevor Nisbett & Wayne Loxley, Mort was a member of Subiaco's unsuccessful grand final team that year, when they went down to a strong East Fremantle combination.  Michael was in and out of the side with injuries once again in 1986. The final straw came in the second last game of the season, when a shattered thumb shattered his finals hopes in a year that Subiaco had sweet revenge on the fancied East Fremantle and took the premiership. “After the second semi final, Bunts told me if I got through the reserves preliminary final I'd be in the grand final team,” Michael recalled. “ But after struggling through the first half unable to tackle or use the thumb at all, I told reserves coach Wayne Loxley I was no good to the side.”  Mort's place in the jubilant premiership side was taken by a young Karl Langdon. Another frustrating year followed in 1987, when Mort managed to win the fairest and best in his appearances with the reserves.  At the end of the 1988 season the twenty three year old retired from league football after managing to put together fifty four games.  After spending the following  year  with SWFL club Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup, Michael decided to call it quits.  But two years later a call from former Subiaco team mate Kevin Sparks, who was coaching at Trinity-Aquinas Amateurs, lured him back to the action. Still relatively young at twenty seven, Mort turned the clock back almost a decade, and his form was such that he gained selection in the West Australian Amateur side. Boyanup-Capel-Dardanup were keeping a close watch on proceedings, however, and when it was obvious Trinity-Aquinas had no chance of making the finals that year, the South West club, who were sitting in second spot on the ladder, made him an offer to transfer back to them for the remainder of the season.   With the carrot of a long awaited grand final opportunity, Mort, who knew this was to be his swansong in the game, didn't need much persuasion to accept. Although the grand final dream did materialise, it wasn't a fairy tale ending, as Harvey-Brunswick, who also had the services of several ex Subiaco players in Greg Jones, Glen Hutchinson, and Graham Jeffries, prevailed on the big day.   But considering the injury thread that ran through the career of Michael Mort, there could be only one suitable way for it to end. Six years later, after moving to Dunsborough, he had a run at Vets Super Rules, and bang went the hammy! Mort later coached juniors with former Subiaco team mate Andrew MacNish. His son Dylan was a member of the team, but has now decided to concentrate on cricket, and is an all rounder with South Perth. The influence of Mort and MacNish is starting to bear fruit already. “Ben Stratton is at Hawthorn, Mitch Green plays with Peel, and Jacob Derricks has gone to East Perth,” Michael said, unable to hide the pride in his voice.  Leon Baker (Swan Districts), Brad Hardie(South Fremantle), and George Christie(East Fremantle) were players he found toughest to beat, while Peter Featherby was best he'd played with. But he added: “One of the absolute highlights was to play with  Mark Zanotti...he never ceased to amaze on and off the field.” These days, the affable Michael Mort is part owner of JMW Real Estate Agents in Dunsborough, and if you're looking for a part of God's country, do yourself a favour, see him first, and talk a bit of footy with a nice bloke.     A golfer, Michael enjoys yoga, walking, and likes nothing better than watching and supporting his kids at sport.  Michael Mort's time on the WAFL football stage ended at a time many are just beginning. The player many  predicted big things for had a relatively short time in the spotlight, and displayed his ability all too briefly. But the man himself is philosophical about it. “I played with some great players and wonderful people, life goes on.” And watching the man enjoying the juniors on a Saturday morning one can only agree.