The first major paper he worked for, Newsday in Melbourne lasted five minutes. He went to Hobart for a time before Graham Perkin, one of the most esteemed of all journalists — and for a decade editor of The Age — called him to Spencer Street.
Forty-five years later he is football’s pre-eminent journalist and commentator — loyal, caring, knowledgeable and skilled… the best of the best.
No footy writer shares his array of awards and distinctions. No one was more driven, broke more news stories, penned as many quality features or had the trust of those who counted.
To pay your mortgage and bills as a journalist and young father you have little choice but to shift camps, regularly and Mike did, from The Age to The Herald, the Sunday Age and the Herald Sun. He also worked for the AFL under Ross Oakley for five or six years.
Please invite your football loving friends and family for Friday, 31 March, AFL Season Launch featuring Mike Sheahan at the Kelvin Club. We will have copies of his book Open Mike for sale on the day.