Leigh Matthews

Leigh Matthews is a living legend in AFL football. He was perhaps the best player the game has seen, certainly one of the best, a renowned superstar coach and one of the most astute tacticians in the business.

One of just 15 Legends in the AFL Hall of Fame and a member of the "Team of the Century" chosen in 1996, Matthews boasts a record that speaks for itself.

Leigh Matthews' career as both footballer and coach has been crowned with success. During his 16 years and 332 games as a player with the Hawthorn Football Club he captained the team (5 years), led it to Premiership victory and took the club record for Best and Fairest and for goal kicking. Leigh has proven his skills as a coach by preparing Collingwood to clinch, in 1990, that long-time elusive Premiership and in 1994 he was inducted into the Sporting Hall of Fame. As Coach, he also lead Brisbane Lions to three successive Premierships in 2001, 2002 & 2003.

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, Gary Ablett, Graham "Polly" Farmer and Wayne Carey.

Along the way he was 1997-98 coach of the Victorian State of Origin side, and in 1998 was coach of the All-Australian side that toured Ireland for a two-Test series against the Irish in "International Rules" - a combination of Australian Rules and Gaelic Football.

AFL Career Details:

Played 332 games and kicked 915 goals for Hawthorn from 1969-85.
Won Hawthorn Best First-Year Player 1969.
Was Hawthorn's games record-holder at the time of his retirement, and still ranks 2nd behind Michael Tuck. Is 11th on the all-time AFL list
Was Hawthorn captain 1981-85.
Played 29 finals matches
Was a member of four Hawthorn premiership sides in 1971-76-78 & 83 and was premiership captain in 1983
Won eight Hawthorn Best & Fairest Awards in 1971-72-74-76-77-78-80-82. Also was Runner-Up Hawthorn B&F 1975-81

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