Matthew Febey

DOB: 19 August, 1969
Debut: Round 15, 1992 against Fitzroy at MCG
Last Game: Round 13, 2000 against Carlton at MCG

Games: 143
Goals: 44
Career Statistics

From: Devonport/Rochester, Selection 16 1986 National Draft, Selection 55 1989 Pre-Season Draft, Selection 17 1992 Mid-Season Draft

Number: 20 1992-2000

Honours:
Tasmanian state representative - 1993
Allies state representative - 1995, 1996, 1998

Despite being selected in the first VFL draft, as part of a deal that the Febey brothers would only move if they were both selected by the same club, injuries destroyed the early years of Matthew's career. While brother Steven was forging a place in an improving side Matthew was delisted and returned for two seasons at Devonport before being re-drafted.

He made his debut in the Red and Blue in the 1989 exhibition match against Geelong in Toronto. During the 1990 pre-season he suffered a horrific injury in a practice match at Waverley, breaking his leg and ankle with torn knee cartilage.

He recovered from the injury only to break his leg again in a training session after being tackled by his brother. Finally returning to the side during 1991 he played a reserves game and badly damaged his shoulder. He was delisted again and joined Rochester in the Goulburn Valley League.

In 1992 he nominated for the mid-season draft and was again selected by the Demons, this time from Rochester. At his third try he broke into the side, playing his first game on the same day as Steven's 85th game, and became a fixture. Selected to represent Tasmania in 1993, the next year he ran fifth in the Best and Fairest When he played his 100th game in 1997 he and Steven became the first twins in VFL/AFL history to achieve the feat.

Febey signed a two year contract extension early in 1999, and had a good year while the rest of the side crumbled around him. At the end of that year Febey entered into a partnership with teammates David Schwarz and Paul Hopgood to buy the Blarney Stone Hotel in Bay Street, Port Melbourne. It was renamed The Hurdle.

After being named on the Veterans List alongside Steven in 2000, Febey's season was destroyed by hamstring and finger injuries but he played in the 2000 Sandringham VFL premiership team. It was his last game. He nominated for the draft in the hope of finding a new club but was not pickde up.

An inaccurate goalkicker he racked up a career total of 44.60

Lists
Interstate recruits
Interstate representatives

Links
Wikipedia profile

Media
Football Record R17 1992
Football Record R6 1994
"Demons' new Hurdle" - Herald Sun 27/11/1999
"Clubs warm to Pie reject" - Herald Sun 13/10/2000