J. Herbie Matthews

Son of the rugged ruckman Herb "Butcher" Matthews, J. Herbie Matthews was a highly sought-after talent who spurned fierce interest from Collingwood to join his father's original club, South Melbourne, from suburban Fairfield. Unlike his father, Herbie was a small man, standing just 177cm, but he possessed a ferocious drive and a leap that allowed him to compete in the air against far taller opponents. Primarily playing in the centre or on the wing, he was renowned for his stamina, pace, and exceptional marking ability, with contemporaries often citing him as the best mark for his size in the game.

Matthews became the heartbeat of the South Melbourne side during the 1930s and 40s, shouldering a massive workload as the club's captain from 1938 until his retirement. His individual brilliance was recognised repeatedly; he won five club best and fairest awards and famously tied for the Brownlow Medal in 1940 with Collingwood's Des Fothergill. A true leader who set standards through his own relentless attack on the ball, Matthews remains one of the most decorated players in the club's history, later being named on the wing in the Swans' Team of the Century.