Michael credits the amazing support of Jets CEO Robbie Middleby, Hunter Sports Group CEO Troy Palmer and Coach Gary Van Eggmond in giving him his chance to continue playing football.
 
Kate adds: "He just wasn't ready to finish playing."
 
Today, Michael and Kate Bridges - along with children Sadie and Riley - are settled in Valentine, a suburb in beautiful Lake Macquarie where they both continue to dream for what a future in Newcastle can bring.
 
"I just want to work in football", Michael says. "Whether its coaching, management or media - it just has to be football.
 
"I have 20 years of experience in this wonderful game, I want to be able to give back where I can."
 
And as for how the game is progressing in Australia, Michael cannot speak highly enough of how far our country has come in both standard and world recognition for its domestic league.
 
"I get phone calls all the time from players dying to come out here," he reveals.
 
"It's the Dwight Yorkes, the Emile Heskeys, the Del Pieros of the league - they are the perfect marketing tools in attracting quality players to Australia.
 
"And the standard is so good now that these players don't come just to finish off their career and have a holiday - they come because it is seen as a competitive league and they want to make a difference."
 
Michael singles out coaching as the main ingredient in what has made the A-League as strong as it is today.
 
"The expectations of coaches is higher, they have to do their B- and A- licences - and you can see the results in the kids coming through."
 
And while you may have already seen Michael in the commentary box on TV, he hopes to further his career in media simply because talking about football just comes so naturally to him.
 
"Of course it was nerve-wracking at first," he admits. "But once I got the hang of it, it became second nature."
 
And as for Kate, she now speaks of her days as a dancer as 'a previous life' and has recently started working as a Teacher's Aid - where she assists children with Special Needs at Primary School level.
 
"It was the first thing in my life I picked out for myself," she reveals.
 
"And it sounds like a cliché but I chose it so I could make a difference."
 
So for Family Bridges - who have another guaranteed year in "Newie" while Michael continues to do what he loves - the rollercoaster ride of football seems to have finally slowed down and they now find themselves settled and content.
 
And while Michael occasionally reflects on his days in the big leagues, he keeps it all into perspective.
 
"At 21, I was told I would never play again," he adds.
 
"And here I am today, just turned 35, and still playing Professional Football in a magnificent country like Australia.
 
"I'm blessed."
 
  •  Kat Caravella is a journalist and wonderWAG as the other half of Newcastle Jets star Zenon Caravella, who gives au.FourFourTwo.com her unique insight to the lives of A-League families. In addition to her own blog at mammasvida.com.au, she is also co-owner of online wine merchants www.redwhiteandbubbles.com.au. You can follow her on Twitter on @KatCaravella