The grandson of Geelong legend Reg Hickey, Primus played for Fitzroy in their final year in the AFL in 1996, before joining the Power for their inaugural AFL year in 1997. He made an immediate impact, debuting in the first game and ultimately finished second in the Best & Fairest; the same position he finished in Fitzroy’s Best & Fairest the year before.
In 2000 and 2001 he was voted the Best Team Man, and played in the pre-season Premiership in 2001 and 2002. A dual All Australian in those years, he also represented Australia in the International Rules series in 2002, and finally took out the Best & Fairest that year as well.
Captain from 2001, Primus was struck a severe blow when he knee buckled beneath him in 2004, requiring a full reconstruction and causing him to miss the majority of the Premiership year. He made a comeback in 2005, before his knee once more failed him in the final home and away game of that year, and he announced his retirement.
Primus was appointed as an assistant coach from 2006, and served in that position up until being appointed as caretaker coach of the Power for the final seven rounds of the year, finishing with 5 wins and 2 losses record.
After an exhaustive process, Matthew Primus was appointed on a 3 year term to coach the Port Adelaide Football Club from 2011 onwards.
1996-2006 Playing Statistics:
Debut game: Round 1, 1996 (Fitzroy vs. Hawthorn)
Final game: Round 22, 2005 (Port Adelaide vs. Fremantle)
Total Games: 157 (137 with Port Adelaide, 20 with Fitzroy)
Total Goals: 81
Average kicks: 6.3
Average handballs: 6.2
Average disposals: 12.5
Average marks: 3.4
Average hit-outs: 16.7
Average tackles: 2.2
Total Brownlow votes: 41
2010 Caretaker Coaching Statistics:
Games: 7
Wins: 5
Losses: 2
