Mick Malthouse

Mick Malthouse – AFL Coaching Legend, Premiership Mentor & Respected Leader

Mick Malthouse is one of the most revered figures in Australian Rules Football — a triple-premiership coach, former premiership player, and the longest-serving coach in AFL history. With a career that spans over four decades, Mick’s impact on the game has been profound, both on and off the field.

Born in Ballarat, Malthouse began his football journey with Wendouree West and North Ballarat before being recruited to St Kilda in 1972. He played 53 games with the Saints, including three finals in his debut year, before joining Richmond in 1976. A tough and fearless defender, Mick played 121 games for the Tigers and was a key member of their 1980 premiership team. He retired in 1983 due to injury, bringing to a close a respected 174-game playing career.

Immediately after retirement, Mick transitioned into coaching — taking the reins at Footscray (now the Western Bulldogs) from 1984 to 1989. Known for his discipline, dedication, and tactical nous, he quickly established a reputation as one of the game’s toughest and most professional coaches.

In 1990, he was appointed senior coach of the West Coast Eagles, where he built a powerhouse club culture and led the team to finals in every season of his ten-year tenure. Under his guidance, West Coast won their first two AFL premierships in 1992 and 1994.

Malthouse returned to Melbourne in 2000 to coach Collingwood, guiding the Magpies to four Grand Final appearances, including a 2010 premiership and the drawn Grand Final replay victory over St Kilda. After stepping down from Collingwood, he went on to coach arch-rival Carlton from 2013 to 2015.

Over the course of his extraordinary career, Mick coached 718 AFL games across four clubs — a VFL/AFL record — and became synonymous with leadership, resilience, and uncompromising standards. He has mentored generations of elite athletes and is renowned for his deep insights into performance, motivation, and team culture.

Today, Mick Malthouse is a compelling keynote speaker and leadership facilitator, drawing from his vast experience to speak on topics including high-performance culture, team building, decision-making under pressure, and long-term success. His storytelling, candour, and wisdom make him a sought-after voice in both sporting and corporate circles.