[1] Michael Wayne Graham[2] was born on 11 January 1952,[3] in Wallaroo,[1] into an Aboriginal Australian family living in the Point Pearce mission on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.
[2] In a book about their family history, As We've Known It: 1911 to the Present[6] (1987) his parents Cecil and Doris relate that Sturt coach Jack Oatey and general manager Vic O'Donnell asked Michael to move to Adelaide and play for the club.
Graham was awarded the 1970 Western Border Medal (for the association's best and fairest player), after the Penola Eagles had finished third over the previous two seasons.
[7] A half-forward flanker nicknamed "The Flash" for his great speed, Graham made his SANFL debut for Sturt in 1971 (cap number 757)[8] and went on to play 282 games over 15 seasons, kicking 455 goals.
[3] In the SANFL offseasons over summer, Graham played with St Mary's in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).