Matt Donovan (rugby league)

Matt Donovan (born in Macksville, on 20 September 1970), is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Coffs Harbour Comets in the Group 2 Rugby League competition.[1] He is nicknamed Mister Magic.[2]

Matt Donovan
Personal information
Full nameMathew Donovan
Born (1970-09-20) 20 September 1970
Macksville. New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionFullback, Wing, Centre, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1992 Gold Coast Seagulls 10 1 0 0 4
1993 Penrith Panthers 4 0 0 0 0
Total 14 1 0 0 4
Source: [1]

Playing career

A utility back, Donovan first played for the Macksville Sea Eagles in the Group 2 Rugby League competition and was part of the side that won the premiership in 1991.[3]

He then spent time in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership, playing for the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1992 and the Penrith Panthers in 1993.

Donovan then returned to the Group 2 Rugby League competition and became a star. Donovan has played for both the Orara Valley Axemen and the Coffs Harbour club.[4][5] In 1997, with Orara Valley, he won the Premier League in overtime with five attempts at the Advocate Park.[6] In 2008 with the same club he won another title under the leadership of Darryl Fischer. He later moved to Coffs Harbor Comets, reaching the 2010 final and losing to Port Macquarie.[7]

Donovan also represented the Russia national team:[8] he played two matches for the national team at the 2000 World Cup and scored a try in the match against Australia,[9] converted by Robert Campbell. According to Andrew Voss, author of Stuff You May Have Missed, the Russian mafia allegedly offered Campbell and Donovan huge amounts of money in exchange for agreeing to play for the Russia in the tournament.[10]


In 2012, Donovan left the club from Coffs Harbor to join Bellingen Valley / Dorrigo Magpies, although it was rumored that he would retire after leaving Comets.[11] He has repeatedly said that he will end his career in the team from Mackville.[12] Since 2015, he has been an assistant to Gavin Hanna, President of the Woolgulga Seahorses of the Group 2 Rugby League.[13] Donovan was named in both the 1990s and 2000s Group 2 Rugby League "team of the decade" and is regarded as one of the 'top five' from the centenary of the game in Group 2.[14]


References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. "Mr Magic out for a Magpie farewell". Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  3. Macksville District Rugby League Club reunion group2.leaguenet.com.au
  4. Mustangs dazed after Axe attack The Macleay Argus, 28 August 2007
  5. Finals action begins Archived 22 July 2012 at Archive.today Coffs Coast Independent, 25 August 2011
  6. "Mr Magic out for a Magpie farewell". Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  7. "Mr Magic out for a Magpie farewell". Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  8. "РЕГБИ• ЛАНКАСТЕР. Завтра в Бэрроу матчем с командой Фиджи сборная России дебютирует в группе сильнейших чемпионата мира по регби-13". sport-express.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  9. "Kangaroos handed warm up game as Four Nations opener underwhelms". the Guardian. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  10. "Voss tells story of Russian mafia involvement in 2000 Rugby League World Cup".
  11. "Mr Magic out for a Magpie farewell". Coffs Coast Advocate. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  12. Webster, Andrew (12 July 2013). "There's no hard feelings for GI in his real home". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  13. "Woolgoolga Seahorses swimming in Group 2 next year". Daily Examiner. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  14. Group 2 'team of decade' The Coffs Coast Advocate, 9 October 2009
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