AFL Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews will write exclusively for afl.com.au and make regular appearances on BigPond Sports Weekend throughout 2009.
A titanic figure in football, Matthews’ reputation is unequalled. Eight premierships and more than 40 years in the game make his opinions and his ability to dissect the big issues second to none.
When Lethal speaks, football listens
As a player and coach, Matthews' record is unsurpassed. He wowed fans and left opponents in his wake during his 332-match career. In 17 years as a player, he won four flags with Hawthorn, his mixture of toughness, skill and goalkicking a cornerstone of the club’s most successful era. His peers paid him the ultimate accolade when they voted him the AFL’s player of the century. Many outside of Hawthorn agreed with that assessment.
When he hung up the boots and turned to coaching, Matthews commanded total respect. He won the undying gratitude of the black and white faithful, engineering Collingwood’s famous drought-breaking premiership in 1990. He then went on to build the Brisbane Lions into an unstoppable force, winning three consecutive flags from 2001-03.
As a columnist, Matthews brings unparalleled inside knowledge of the game. His incisive judgement, tough calls and fearless opinions match the uncompromising way he played the game.
Can you out-coach Lethal?
Matthews will also be involved in Toyota AFL Dream Team throughout the year, making 2009 your chance to pit your wits against the very best. This year’s competition, the official game of the AFL players and coaches, is loaded with great new features, so start picking your team now.
And it gets better – if you sign up now, you might have Lethal as an assistant in your Dream Team campaign. Alongside a swag of huge prizes, one lucky Dream Teamer will win the chance to have Matthews personally help them pick their Toyota AFL Dream Team. The prize is for early-bird entrants only, so sign up now to start playing and be in the running.
Leigh Matthews' record
As a player
Hawthorn 1969-1985; 332 games, 915 goals
Finals: 29 games, 72 goals
Grand finals: 1971, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1985
Premierships: 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983
Represented Victoria: 14 games, 29 goals
202 career Brownlow Medal votes
Captained Hawthorn 1981-1985
Hawthorn best and fairest: 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982
Coleman Medal: 1975 (67 goals)
Hawthorn leading goalkicker: 1973, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
All-Australian: 1972, 1982, 1983
As a coach
Coached Collingwood 1986-1995; 224 games, 1990 premiership
Coached Brisbane Lions 1999-2008; 237 games, 2001, 2002 and 2003 premierships
Matthews was inducted as one of the AFL Hall of Fame's inaugural Legends in 1996. Only 22 men have been granted Legend status so far.
