Leigh Matthews

Leigh Matthews is the current coach of the Brisbane Lions Australian Football League club. He has coached them to three consecutive premierships (in 2001, 2002 and 2003) as well as to a losing grand final (2004).

Related Topics:
Brisbane Lions - Australian Football League - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004

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Previously, he played 332 games and booted 915 goals for Hawthorn from 1969 to 1985, topping the league goalkicking in 1975. He also served as the team's Captain for his last five seasons. During his career as a player, Matthews was known as Lethal Leigh to friend and foe alike. He was a tough, fearless player who could be found in any of several different on field positions, notably as Full Forward and in the Back Pocket, but most often, as Rover. Matthews never won a Brownlow Medal, often due to being disqualified after being reported.

Related Topics:
Hawthorn - 1969 - 1985 - Brownlow Medal

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In one of his last seasons with Hawthorn Matthews accidentally collided with a point post during the match. Matthews suffered a mild concussion, but the post was split in half by the impact.

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He also coached Collingwood to victory in the 1990 Grand Final, breaking a 32-year premiership drought, and in 1996 was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
Collingwood - 1990 - 1996 - AFL

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Matthews was also named "Player of the Century" along with the position of forward pocket in the VFL/AFL Team of the Century in the league's centenary in 1996.

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Leigh Matthews is currently the coach for the Brisbane Lions, and has enjoyed great success, with the team being in the previous four grand finals (2001-2004) and losing only the most recent final to Port Adelaide "Power".

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His coaching style is reportedly incredibly strict. One incident which gives this credit is that, after winning three premierships in a row, the Brisbane Lions celebrated in a "hearty" manner. Soon afterwards, Matthews was publicly saying that this was poor form and that the players in question would be disciplined.

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