Matthew Armstrong (1987 - 1994)

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Pick 24 in the 1986 VFL draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_VFL_Draft)

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/738/matthewarmstrong2.jpg

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Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Armstrong)

Armstrong played in many positions, as an on baller, half back, centre or wingman. He was with Fitzroy from 1987 to 1994 and played 132 games. In 1995 he moved to North Melbourne and was the season's second highest disposal getter for the club. Despite missing just five games in the 1996 home and away season he was omitted from the side which defeated Sydney in the grand final.

He seemed to show a singular strategic sense and his handspeed resulted in an unparalleled ability to break lines of defence and an uncanny number of plays involving or commencing with him resulted in scoring shots, sometimes several disposals later. This ability was recognized by teammates but often overlooked by coaches and selectors; testified to by Wayne Carey making special mention of the non-selected Matthew Armstrong in his 1996 Premiership Cup acceptance speech.

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/738/matthewarmstrong2.jpg

Career statistics (http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/M/Matt_Armstrong.html)

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Tasmanian Team of the Century (http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/TToC_half_backs.htm)

B: Steven Febey Verdun Howell Bob Johnson
HB: Matthew Armstrong Barry Lawrence Rodney Eade
C: Darrin Pritchard Ian Stewart Adrian Fletcher
HF: Darrel Baldock Royce Hart Brent Croswell
F: Matthew Richardson Peter Hudson Horrie Gorringe
R: Jack Rough John Leedham Terry Cashion
I: Colin Robertson Alistair Lynch Tim Evans
Brendan Gale Daryn Cresswell Garry Lyon
Coach: Bruce Carter

A strong running, talented on baller, wingman or half back, Matthew Armstrong was one of Fitzroy's most auspicious performers during the closing years of that club's VFL/AFL tenure. Were it not for a serious knee injury sustained in 1990, just as he was showing signs of developing into a genuine superstar, Armstrong's achievements might well have been even more noteworthy, with even a Brownlow being within the bounds of possibility. As it was he was a consistent and occasionally brilliant player for the Lions over the course of 132 games between 1987 and 1994. He also represented both Victoria (once) and his home state 93 times) in state of origin football and was a particularly noteworthy performer in the 1988 bicentennial carnival in Adelaide.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6610/matthewarmstrong3.jpg

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Blast from the past (http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/111063/default.aspx)

What are you up to these days?

I’m the Academy Coach for AFL Tasmania. Basically, I go out and find the talented kids around Tasmania, set up all their training, train them up and hopefully get them drafted. I’ve actually dealt with a lot of kids who are now at the Lions. You’ve got a few of them up there at the minute.

How long has it been since you’ve been out of the game as a player?

I officially stopped playing at the end of 1998. My last season was with the Northern Bombers down here in Tasmania. We went through undefeated in the state-wide league and I thought that was good enough, I’ll hang the boots up now. I finished in the AFL in 1997 (with North Melbourne), came back Launceston to join the Northern Bombers and at the end of that year, I moved to Brisbane as one of the Lions’ Assistant Coaches to Leigh Matthews.

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/738/matthewarmstrong2.jpg

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Denis Pagan (http://au.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/5023093/finals-flashback/)

Former North Melbourne coach Denis Pagan has made the startling revelation that he thinks more about omitting utility Matthew Armstrong from the triumphant 1996 Grand Final side than the actual premiership itself.

"If there's someone there who misses out then you can't help but feel for them," Pagan told _Sportal_. "I certainly think about it even now. Probably I think more about that than perhaps (that) we won the grand final because Matthew Armstrong's a quality person."

But what would have made the decision even harder for Pagan was the fact that Armstrong spent eight barren seasons with the Lions. In 175 career matches Armstrong had only been involved in three finals which all came in the two seasons he spent with North Melbourne. Depriving Armstrong the chance to finally have a shot at premiership glory after doing it so tough with Fitzroy would doubtlessly have added difficulty to Pagan's decision.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/563/matthewarmstrong.jpg

Link (http://www.users.on.net/%7Epwong/gf_loyal.htm)

Matthew Armstrong, who lost his place to Anderson, hugged every player, one by one. Armstrong, who had been dropped on Thursday, rang Pagan on Friday morning. "He rang to apologise," says Pagan. "He had forgotten to wish the players and coach good luck."

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Best of the draft (http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=52987)
By Matt Burgan
11:09 AM Fri 02 Nov, 2007

24 - MATTHEW ARMSTRONG (FITZROY)
Recruited from: Hobart (1986)
Steve Johnson (Geelong - 2001) was also in the mix thanks to his outstanding 2007. But Armstrong, who played 132 of his 175 AFL matches with the Roys from 1987-94, couldn't be ignored for his top service and longevity. Luke Ablett (Sydney - 2000) is next best with 98 matches, although Paul Licuria (Sydney - 1995), with just 10 of his 192 AFL matches at the Swans, couldn't be considered.


Best of the draft (http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=69168)
By Matt Burgan
8:35 AM Fri 24 Oct, 2008

24 – STEVE JOHNSON (GEELONG)
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers (2001)
Johnson takes over from Matthew Armstrong (Fitzroy – 1986) after outstanding 2007-08 seasons. The 2007 Norm Smith Medallist has also narrowed the gap in matches, with 112 to Armstrong's 132 with the Roys and 175 in total. Luke Ablett (Sydney – 2000) is next best, with 120 matches. Paul Licuria (Sydney Swans – 1995) couldn't be considered, as he played just 10 of his 192 AFL matches at the Swans.

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1994 trade (http://www.users.on.net/%7Epwong/trading.htm)

Fitzroy and North Melbourne

Matthew Armstrong for Grant DeMamiel and Adam McCarthy

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/623/armstrongx.jpg