Congratulations Tom Matthews

[troppo]

Congratulations to Tom Matthews the inaugural winner of The Troy Clarke scholarship designed to assist young footballers from regional Queensland. I have never met Tom or seen him play but to have already racked up 200 games for the Dalby Swans is a great achievement for a 14 year old. I would love to see him go on to make it onto the Brisbane Lions list.

 

[chopperduck]

Pretty sure the CM had a little article on this kid early this week, had a meet and greet with Tippett or something.

 

[Sherrinator]

Dalby swans have an endless stream of talented juniors
Why hasn't one gone onto be drafted yet?

 

[brizrider]

Dalby swans have an endless stream of talented juniors
Why hasn't one gone onto be drafted yet?

It's tough coming from Dalby I guess. Congrats to Tom though.

 

[Reardo]

Congratulations to Tom Matthews the inaugural winner of The Troy Clarke scholarship designed to assist young footballers from regional Queensland. I have never met Tom or seen him play but to have already racked up 200 games for the Dalby Swans is a great achievement for a 14 year old. I would love to see him go on to make it onto the Brisbane Lions list.

I've watched him demolish my son's team since U8's, he's an absolute jet. Recently had the opportunity to coach him at rep level and I'll be amazed if he doesn't get drafted once he hit's U18's, probably the most gifted junior footballer I've seen. He's been selected in the Brisbane South West squad for the U14 state championships at Burpengary in a fortnight (as did my son FYI). I'm pretty biased, let's get that clear, but Tom Matthews is a gun and I can't wait to see him running around for the Lions in the not too distant future.

 

[Reardo]

Also playing at Calamvale tonight at 6-30 if you're in the area, I get to drive down with young Thomas whilst he and my boy speak shit in the back seat. Longest. Drive. Ever.

 

[John]

whilst he and my boy speak shit in the back seat. Longest. Drive. Ever.

Haa haa. Oh those memories.

 

[chopperduck]

It is great that we can use the academy to get some of the top young talent, give them a clear pathway into the AFL and get first dibs on them.

It wont deliver us a Voss or Reiwoldt every year, but sooner or later we will get some good talent coming through. I do think it is good for the growth of AFL in SEQ to have the big name QLD talent playing for QLD clubs.

 

[Reardo]

Just further on this, Tom and his parents can't speak highly enough of the Clarke family. They were blown away by the support shown to them and the genuine interest all the Clarkes had in the struggles Tom and his parents have in furthering his football from regional Queensland. The Matthews' cover 40 000 kms from March to September taking Tom to his local footy training and matches for the Dalby Swans, he also plays in the Darling Downs Crows side that competes in the Brisbane U14 Div 1 comp which means Brisbane trips every second weekend, combined with his Academy commitments it's a remarkable effort. The scholarship will no doubt go a long way to easing some of the financial hardship his parents endure to give him the opportunity to be the best he can be, I'm tipping he'll reward them ten fold in the not too distant future.

 

[troppo]

Reardo it was great to get your thoughts about Tom. The Clarke family are wonderful people and I am sure they were able to identify with the difficulties facing a young footballer from a regional area. The parents(including yourself) are often the forgotten heroes when it comes to the careers of talented sports people.

 

[Sherrinator]

It's tough coming from Dalby I guess. Congrats to Tom though.

AFL talent scouts need to focus west of Brisbane. If players are earmarked younger, they are way less likely to be lost once the drinking, smoking age begins.

 

[alacartwright]

And to get in before the rugby league scouts..