Former Port Adelaide star Michael Wilson with mother Regina. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: News Limited
PORT Adelaide premiership warrior Michael "Wilbur" Wilson has turned Ironman in his mother's fight against leukaemia.
If ever there was an event made for Wilson - the heart and soul of the Power's 2004 flag - it is Iron man.
Wilson endured 10 operations through his 11-year, 192-game career and required a double shoulder reconstruction after the 2004 decider against Brisbane.
However, Wilbur's war wounds pale in comparison with mother Regina - spurring the 37-year-old to partner with charity tour de cure and enter the Melbourne Ironman on March 23.
"I was in Western Australia and did the iron man there and they have a charity. People were raising bucketloads of money for charity and I thought I had better do something," said Wilson, an indomitable half-back in Mark Williams' premiership unit.
"Mum's condition morphed into myelofibrosis, a rare form of leukaemia. Your bone marrow hardens.
"I am going to have a crack at it and see if I can raise some money.
"Unfortunately in Australia you have to be stage four myelofibrosis with everything shutting down before they put you on it a miracle drug made in the United States.
"It isn't the nicest thing but the couple of years she has been on this drug she has been doing OK."
Treatment isn't cheap but Wilson will do his bit, auctioning a cherished 2004 grand final warm-up guernsey and 1997 Norwich rising star jumper ahead of the gruelling event which incorporates a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and marathon.
"The warm-up jumper means a bit to me. Given it is the 10-year anniversary someone might find some interest in it. All the money will go to charity," said Wilson, now a Power physio.
Wilson likens training for the Melbourne iron man to a "part-time job" and hopes his battle-scarred body will hold together.
"I had to be pretty careful with my preparation. I have been running over the past couple of years and threw in riding 18 months ago, started swimming last year," said Wilson.
"Getting ready for one of these required 18-25 hours training per week. So to find the time for that with four kids you need a pretty good wife to keep the ship going at home."
Wilson remains a competitor at heart, targeting a "dream" spot in the renowned Hawaiian Ironman with a success in Melbourne.
"If I do get in the top 10 in my age group I will get in the world championships in Hawaii," said Wilson.
"As a kid growing up I watched the Hawaiian Ironman, it is a long shot for me but something I always wanted to do before footy. Mum is a bit crazy, always doing something which is where I get it from."
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said the club would support Wilson "all the way".
"It is quite an achievement for a man who has had multiple knee and shoulder reconstructions," Thomas said.
"Keep an eye out for details of the campaign on the website, and if there's any support you can throw Wilbur's way, I know he'd appreciate it."
'Wilbur' turns Ironman for Mum
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'Wilbur' turns Ironman for Mum
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