Casey Scorpions captain Kyle Matthews displays his trademark feistiness in last year’s VFL finals. Picture: Luke PlummerBy Marc McGowan
CASEY Scorpions coach Peter German hopes the AFL is still a distinct possibility for his skipper Kyle Matthews.
But the man himself isn’t fussed if the opportunity never comes.
Matthews, 23, has been in scintillating form in the opening three rounds of the VFL season after an injury interrupted year in 2008.
“I’ve been pretty happy so far. I’ve had a good pre-season – with no interruptions – so it’s been all right,” he said.
“It’s been great getting the chance to go on-ball again because I haven’t had that chance for a few years – I’m loving it.”
The 178cm, 72kg midfielder missed the first four matches of his debut season as captain, but still played a key role in the Scorpions reaching the finals for the second straight year.
Matthews admits he had to learn on the run about the different responsibilities the captaincy brings and had a new challenge this year with Melbourne replacing St Kilda as the club’s new AFL partner.
But the Ringwood premiership player has taken on every test that has come his way in much the same manner as he approaches his football.
Matthews’ never-say-die attitude on the field has already endeared him to German, much like it did with Casey’s previous coaches, Greg Hutchison and Peter Banfield.
“His second efforts and willingness (are what set him apart),” German said.
“He just sets the tone for the rest of the group to the point that you think to yourself, ‘Surely there’s a place on an AFL list for a guy like Kyle’.
“He just takes it all in his stride and leads from the front, so who knows?
“With the new alignment, too, I think Melbourne see a different person to what they actually saw when they weren’t aligned with us.”
Matthews has been down the AFL path before.
He tested for a spot on Essendon’s rookie list after the 2007 season, but Bombers officials offered him a familiar line.
“They told me I was too old and too small,” Matthews said.
“It’s a bit frustrating, but then again you play the blokes they do pick up and when you play better than them it’s a good feeling.”
Matthews knocked back the chance to play for TAC Cup side the Eastern Ranges when he was a teenager after the under-18 club’s officials initially rejected him.
That experience has left him with reservations about the AFL feeder competition.
“I tried out for Ranges, but I went on holidays through their practice matches, so they told me not to come back,” he said.
“Then they sent me a letter six months later telling me to come back and I told them I didn’t want to.
“I don’t really like TAC Cup – they pick and choose people on their size. They pick athletes before footballers.”
Matthews defied the knockers to make back-to-back VFL teams of the year in 2006 and 2007 and aims to recapture that form again this year. And he is confident the Scorpions can be just as successful.
“All the Melbourne boys are really good and they’re just as young as us and learning,” Matthews said. “It doesn’t matter that we’re not as experienced as other teams – we’re just as motivated.”
