He's in the hottest form of his life, but Fremantle veteran Michael Walters doesn't think he would even still be in AFL ranks if it wasn't for his family.
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Walters booted an equal career-high six goals on Saturday to lead the Dockers to a 21-point win over Port Adelaide.
The star display came hot on the heels of kicking the match-winning scores against Brisbane and Collingwood.
Walters is averaging a career-high 21.4 disposals per game this season, and has also booted 25.9.
His remarkable accuracy in clutch moments has helped Fremantle move up to sixth spot with a 7-5 record, putting the club on course to snap a three-year finals drought.
But the fanfare Walters is receiving now is a far cry from January 2012, when he was banished to the WAFL for failing to meet the club's fitness standards.
Walters had played just 11 AFL matches at the time and faced the prospect of being cut loose completely if he didn't improve his act.
It proved to be a significant turning point for Walters, who not only worked his way back into favour, but is now one of the club's most respected leaders.
"I'm proud of where I got myself, but it's on the back of the people around me," Walters said.
"My family, my mum and dad, my brother, and most importantly my wife and kids.
"If it wasn't for them, I'm not sure whether I would be here. I could have easily thrown in the towel and given up footy in 2012.
"But with those strong influences around me, I didn't want to let them down, and it got me to where I am today."
Walters has three young girls with his wife Marnie Tyers and says they have helped keep him grounded.
He is also doing a building course to prepare for life after football.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said Walters was an inspiration.
"There's a lot of people who go do corporate talks," Lyon said.
"But gee whiz, if you get him to tell his story - his turnaround, his high performance, his excellence - he should be doing a talk every week throughout Perth."
Walters said the tight connection within the playing group had played a key role in the team's strong form.
Fremantle will be aiming to make it four wins on the trot when they take on Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.
"Everyone is hanging out a bit more, so we're starting to know each other a bit more," Walters said.
Australian Associated Press
