DOB: 28 February 2007
From: Moe/Gippsland Power, 2025 National Draft selection #30
Games: 0*
Goals: 0*
Club: Gippsland Power (Vic Country)
DOB: 28 February 2007
Height: 171cm
Position: Small Forward/Midfielder
Local Club: Moe (originally Trafalgar)
Background & Season
- Captain of Gippsland Power in 2025
- Played only 4 Coates Talent League games due to persistent knee injury
- Kicked 7 goals in those 4 games
- Kicked 4 goals in Vic Country trial match before knee injury forced him out
- Named in initial Vic Country squad for U18 Championships but couldn't play
- In 2024: kicked 18 goals in 13 games for Gippsland
- Didn't train at all during first month of 2025 season - weeks focused on recovery for match-day
- Opted against surgery hoping for late-season return, but injury persisted
- Attended Gippsland Sports Academy Lowanna College (same school as Bailey Humphrey, Sam Skinner, Sam Flanders, Leo Connolly, Harry Pepper)
- Close friends with pick 1 Willem Duursma (played representative basketball and footy together)
Playing Style
- Pocket rocket with powerful athleticism despite 171cm height
- Regularly flies high to pull down soaring grabs
- Powerful tackling machine who thrives on pressure
- Brings plenty of X-factor
- Can play as small forward or be injected into midfield
- Strong defensive pressure - "his want and ability to defend, just as much as he likes to attack, is his point-of-difference"
Draft Context
- Called "the most impressive trainer" in Gippsland's pre-season - even more than pick 1 Duursma
- Gippsland coach Rhett McLennan (now Casey VFL coach): "We think that Thomas Matthews has had a fantastic preseason"
- Willem Duursma: "He will just give 110 per cent effort, determination and dedication. His pressure and goal kicking is unbelievable"
- Gippsland teammates voted him as player they were "most excited about" in peer surveys
- Jason Taylor: "We went into the year pretty bullish on him after some of the stuff he showed last year"
- Selected to fill absence left by Charlie Spargo's departure
Lists
Other players
Media
melbournefc.com.au - 20/11/2025
Links
RookieMe profile