Michael Platt (rugby league)

Infobox rugby league biography
new = yes
playername = Michael Platt


image_size = 300px
country =
height(m) = 1.84
weight(kg) = 92
fullname = Michael Platt
nickname =
living = Yes
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|3|23
dayofbirth = 23
monthofbirth = 3
yearofbirth = 1984
placeofbirth = Manchester
countryofbirth = England
position = Full-back
currentclub = leagueicon|Bradford Bulls|size=16 Bradford Bulls
clubnumber = 1
representative = true
club1 = leagueicon|Salford City Reds|size=16 Salford City Reds
year1start = 2001
year1end = 2004
appearances1 = 3
tries1 = 4
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 4
club2 = leagueicon|Rochdale Hornets|size=16 Rochdale Hornets
year2start = 2004
year2end = 2005
appearances2 =11
tries2 = 13
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 40
club3 = leagueicon|Castleford|size=16 Castleford Tigers
year3start = 2005
year3end = 2006
appearances3 = 55
tries3 = 27
goals3 = 0
fieldgoals3 = 0
points3 = 92
club4 = leagueicon|Bradford Bulls|size=16 Bradford Bulls
year4start = 2007–
year4end =
appearances4 = 40
tries4 = 19
goals4 = 0
fieldgoals4 = 0
points4 = 76
teamA = flagicon|IRE Ireland
yearAstart = 2003–
appearancesA = 3
triesA = 0
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 0
updated = 6 August, 2008
source = [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Michael_Platt.html Rugby League Project]

Michael Platt (b 23 March 1984) is rugby league player, who plays for Bradford Bulls.

Early career

Started his career at the Salford City Reds, making his debut in Super League against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the final game of the 2001 season at just 17. However he never quite made the grade and was released by the club.

Michael then signed for the Rochdale Hornets. His impressive debut season was somewhat blighted by a broken jaw, but this not stop him from winning the National League's Young Player Of The Year award in 2004.

Castleford

Michael then joined Castleford Tigers, and helped the Tigers gain promotion in 2005. The subsequent Super League season was difficult in a squad which lacked quality, but Platt still managed to score 7 tries. However after a heartbreaking 29-17 defeat against Wakefield in the final game of the season, Castleford were relegated.

Controversy & Bradford Bulls

Due to the Tigers relegation in 2006, many players' contracts became null and void. Platt subsequently joined the Bradford Bulls in October 2006. However Castleford claimed that Platt had no such clause in his contract which enabled him to become a free agent after their relegation, and so would remain a Tigers player. A RFL tribunal also ruled in favour of the Tigers in this respect. Eventually Bradford and Castleford agreed terms on a transfer for £10,000 and Platt was unveiled again as a Bulls player shortly before Christmas 2006, more than two months after he had originally signed.

Platt started his Bulls career in great form by scoring 14 tries in the opening 13 games of the Super League XII season, including hat-tricks against Warrington and his former club, Salford. However Platt missed 2 out of the next 3 matches and was unable to sustain his try-scoring form upon his return; indeed he failed to score again that season. He signed a new three year deal to keep him at the Grattan Stadium until the endof 2011.

International

Platt is an Irish international. He was overlooked by Tony Smith for Great Britain and this has been seen to be due to his allegiance to Ireland for World Cup 2008 out in Australia, and the continuing outstanding form of Paul Wellens. However he was called up for the Great Britain Train on Squad for the 2007 test series with New Zealand, and played at full back for the prestigious Northern Union game against All Golds in a centenary match.

He has been named in the Ireland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.cite web|url=http://www.rli.ie/story.php?id=53|title=Ireland Name World Cup 40 Man Training Squad|publisher=Rugby League Ireland|date=2008-08-01|accessdate=2008-08-02]

He has been named in the Ireland squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7657596.stm|title=Cassidy included in Ireland squad|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07]

References

External links

* [http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/bb_squad_full.asp?SquadID=82 Bradford Bulls profile]
* [http://www.superleague.co.uk/profile.php?id=429 Super League profile]
* [http://sport.independent.co.uk/rugby_league/article1838319.ece Platt hits bull's-eye with transfer to Bradford]
* [http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbulls/sportbullsmatch/display.var.1251355.0.platt_shows_what_reds_are_missing.php Platt shows what Reds are missing]
* [http://www.rleague.com//db/player/p/platt_michael/index.php Platt shows the way as Bulls take the spoils]