Mal Michael played 238 games including the historic three-peat of premierships with the Brisbane Lions.

But it might never have happened in the first place.

PNG born Michael was brought from his hometown of Brisbane to Collingwood with no promises and very little money but was able to turn himself into the fearsome full-back of the Lions dynasty.

And yet, it is the one that got away - their chance of four in a row in 2004 - that stayed with Michael for years.

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