One of the official Legends in the AFL Hall of Fame and a member of the "Team of the Century" chosen in 1996, Leigh Matthews boasts a record that speaks for itself in the loudest fashion possible. In a 1999 poll conducted by the Herald Sun, Australia's No.1 football newspaper, Matthews was named the "Footballer of the Century". He was chosen at No.1 ahead of Ted Whitten (2), Gary Ablett (3), Graham "Polly" Farmer (4), Wayne Carey (5), Ian Stewart (6), John Coleman (7), Tony Lockett (8), John Nicholls (9) and ex-Fitzroy favorite son Haydn Bunton (10).
He played 332 games with Hawthorn from 1969-85, was captain for five years, played in four premiership sides, won a staggering eight Hawk Best & Fairest Awards, and was the club's leading goal-kicker six times and the AFL's leading goal-kicker once. That he was so successful personally in a club that was so successful in a team sense during his era underlined his quite extraordinary talents.
In August-September 1998 Matthews was lured out of "retirement" to re-join the roller-coaster ride of AFL coaching. Realising he missed the weekly challenge of the game he admits has been his "thing" throughout his life, he accepted a three-year contract as senior coach with the Brisbane Lions.
In August-September 1998 Matthews was lured out of "retirement" to re-join the roller-coaster ride of AFL coaching. Realising he missed the weekly challenge of the game he admits has been his "thing" throughout his life, he accepted a three-year contract as senior coach with the Brisbane Lions.
At the Lions, Leigh Matthews has created one of the powerhouse teams in the AFL, taking the Brisbane Lions to their first AFL Grand Final in 2001, followed by back to back Premierships winning the AFL Grand Final again in 2002. He then became a part of true football history in 2003 winning his third premiership in a row.
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