One of the greatest legends at Hawthorn and many would argue that he was the finest footballer ever to take the field. As a rover/forward Leigh Matthews had a wonderful football brain and could always read the play. He was a solid player who could turn a game around in a matter of minutes. Matthews made great use of the hip and shoulder especialy when the oppersition came between him and the ball, but he also copped plenty in his time. He polled over 200 votes in his time with Hawthorn but unfotunitly never won a Brownlow Medal. Matthews last game was in the 1985 Grand Final against Essendon. After 17 seasons the tough and explosive little man was shouldered off the MCG by his team-mates, an emotional but fitting send off to a brilliant career. Leigh Matthews was inducted into the AFL's 1996 Hall of Fame
Nickname: Barney/Lethal
Games: 340 (69-85)
Captain: 1981-85
Goals: 915
Clubs leading goal kicker: 6 (73,75,81,82,83,84)
Best and Fairest: 8 (71,72,74,76,77,78,80,82)
Premierships: 4
State representitive: 14
State captain: 1980