Beginning his water polo in 1968, alongside his brothers Charles and Chris, at the Crystal Pool and Payneham clubs in Adelaide, Michael was selected in the SA State team as a field player in the very same year. He became a goalkeeper in 1972 but remained in SA until 1975 after which he followed his younger brother Charles to Sydney, but as Universities already had an outstanding goalkeeper in Don Cameron, Michael joined Cronulla-Sutherland. He won his first National cap in 1975 while still in SA and went on to represent Australia in two Olympics at Moscow (1980) and at Los Angeles (1984). He was also a member of the Australian Team at three World Championships at Cali (1975), Berlin (1978) and Guayaquil (1982) and played in the FINA World Cup at Long Beach (1981), accrueing a record total of 336 Australian caps as goalkeeper.

At the National Champioships, playing for both SA and NSW, 'Mick' contested a record 21 national titles across a phenomenal 26 year span, and is the holder of ten national titles with NSW. At club level his brilliant goalkeeping helped bring about Cronulla's first ever NSWAWPA 1st grade Premiership in 1976, which was followed up by seven other NSW premiership and five Australian Club Championships. His presence in goals added confidence to any team and his likable character made him a popular figure amougst the Australian Water Polo fraternity.