Matthew and I have always been really close. Growing up, we were always outside playing cricket, kicking the footy, or riding bikes and if there was a ball, there was always a game to be played.

Mum would dispute that a lot of these games also happened inside, much to her despair and there is likely a lot of evidence to support this, with the number of broken glasses and photo frames.

We invented a lot of games, even now we will just be sitting, throwing a ball around and then within no time there are rules and a scoring system. I think it’s fair to say we are competitive.

Being four years younger and a lot smaller, often our games resulted in me getting hurt and Matthew begging me not to tell Mum, or an argument over who the winner was. Regardless of the injuries and the arguments we always had a lot of fun.

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I was always dragged along to watch Matthew’s footy and cricket on the weekends, which I wasn’t too happy about. In the early days I can’t say I watched much. I was usually playing with the other younger siblings around the ground.

Eventually I started to enjoy watching him play and it didn’t take long to realise that he was a good player and had a lot of potential. I remember when he started getting letters from AFL clubs and all the hype when he was playing league footy with the (Woodville-West Torrens) Eagles. I think that’s when I started to realise how serious football was for him and what the future could hold.

I was only 13 when Matthew got drafted to Fremantle and moved to Perth. Although I was very happy and excited for him, I remember on draft day bursting into tears because my big brother had to move so far away.

It was, and still is, tough not seeing him as often as we’d like and the fact he’s missed out on so many things here at home over the years. But I’m so proud of him and all that he has achieved — I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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It’s well known over the years Matthew has had opportunities to leave Freo to come home or go to other clubs when he has been out of contract. I remember after Port won the premiership in 2004, after they had been chasing him to play for them, I asked Matthew, “How do you feel? You could have won a grand final”. He said, “I wouldn’t have felt like I’d earned it.”

I was blown away because I don’t think too many people would say the same. He said he had unfinished business and wanted to lead Freo to success. Matthew is obviously a very talented footballer but I feel this speaks volumes of his character — loyal, dedicated, assiduous and tenacious.

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