Matthew Whelan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matthew Whelan |
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| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 13 November 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Darwin | ||
| Original team | Darwin Buffaloes (NT), Woodville-West Torrens (SA) | ||
| Debut | Round 4, 2 April 2000, Melbourne Demons v. St Kilda Saints, at Melbourne Cricket Ground |
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| Career highlights | |||
Matthew Whelan, born on November 13, 1979, is a former professional Australian rules football player. He was known for his strong defense and tough style of play. Fans of the Melbourne Demons team called him "Wheels" because of his last name. He also earned the nickname "Wrecker" because of his powerful tackles and hits on other players.
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Early Life and Football Journey
Matthew Whelan has Indigenous Australian heritage. His family comes from the Ngalakan-speaking people of the Arnhem Land area. He grew up in Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory. As a young boy, he played rugby league. When he was 15, he decided to focus on Australian rules football.
Before joining a professional team in Victoria in 2000, Matthew played in two different leagues. He played for the Darwin team from October to March. Then, he would play for Woodville-West Torrens in South Australia during the winter months.
Matthew Whelan's AFL Career
Matthew Whelan played for the Melbourne Demons for ten years, from 2000 to 2009. He was a very important defender for his team.
Starting Strong: His Debut Season
Matthew Whelan played his first game in April 2000. He played almost every game that season. However, a neck injury kept him out of the finals, including the Grand Final. This was a big loss for the Demons, who needed his tough play.
Tough Luck with Injuries
In 2002, Matthew played every game again. But in the last game of the regular season, he got a calf injury. This meant he missed another finals series. Injuries were a challenge throughout his career.
Memorable Moments on the Field
Matthew Whelan was known for his strong tackles and bumps. Here are a few famous moments from his career:
- In 2004, during a big final game against Essendon, Matthew made a huge hit on player James Hird. He then got the ball and helped his team score a goal. This was his first final game, and he played very well.
- In 2005, Matthew tried to block a kick from Nathan Brown of Richmond. He landed awkwardly and broke his leg. Matthew felt bad about the injury, even though it was an accident.
- In 2007, he had a strong collision with Luke Ball of St Kilda. Both players were hurt, but they both returned to finish the game. It was ruled an accidental clash.
- In 2008, he was briefly suspended for a hit on Brendan Fevola from Carlton.
Retirement and Legacy
In August 2009, Matthew Whelan announced he was retiring from the AFL. He retired along with his teammate Paul Wheatley. This was part of the Melbourne Football Club's plan to bring in younger players. Even though he had many injuries, Matthew was happy to help mentor the young Indigenous players on the team.
In February 2010, Matthew Whelan was given a special honor. He became a life member of the Melbourne Football Club. This shows how much he contributed to the team during his career.
