Herb Matthews Sr.
Herbert Edward Matthews (2 September 1894 – 2 June 1964)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played for South Melbourne, Richmond and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Herb Matthews Sr. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Herbert Edward Matthews | ||
| Date of birth | 2 September 1894 | ||
| Place of birth | St Andrews, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 2 June 1964 (aged 69) | ||
| Place of death | Cheltenham, Victoria | ||
| Original team(s) | North Melbourne (VFA) | ||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Ruckman | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1914 | South Melbourne | 1 (0) | |
| 1915 | Richmond | 3 (0) | |
| 1919–1922 | Melbourne | 50 (24) | |
| 1923–1924 | South Melbourne | 31 (27) | |
| Total | 85 (51) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1924. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
After being part of North Melbourne's strong Victorian Football Association (VFA) combination, Matthews had a slow start to his VFL career. He made just one appearance in his debut season, at South Melbourne, which prompted him to cross to Richmond where he added only three more matches.
When the war ended he tried to make a career in the league again and lined up for Melbourne in the 1919 season, rucking regularly for them during his four years at the club. He made a return to South Melbourne in 1923, joining Roy Cazaly in the ruck and he played in a losing preliminary final.
His son, Herbie Matthews, later won a Brownlow Medal and his grandson of the same name also played with South Melbourne.
References
- "Herb Matthews - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- Herb Matthews Sr.'s playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.