Matthew Croft
Western Bulldogs
AFL career
186 games72 goals
- Debut
- R19 1991 v FIT27 July 1991
- Most recent
- R21 2004 v KAN21 Aug 2004
Stats
2004 | WBD | 3 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 6.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 43 |
2003 | WBD | 15 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 8.3 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 41 |
2002 | WBD | 19 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 9.6 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 39 |
2001 | WBD | 20 | 5.6 | 3.8 | 9.4 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 42 |
2000 | WBD | 19 | 7.3 | 5.0 | 12.3 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 47 |
1999 | WBD | 23 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 8.8 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 35 |
1998 | WBD | 24 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 11.4 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 43 |
1997 | FSC | 20 | 6.5 | 4.1 | 10.5 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 46 |
1996 | FSC | 8 | 6.1 | 2.0 | 8.1 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 36 |
1995 | FSC | 11 | 5.8 | 2.7 | 8.5 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 33 |
1994 | FSC | 16 | 9.6 | 4.1 | 13.7 | 4.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 61 |
1993 | FSC | 2 | 13.5 | 4.5 | 18.0 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 97 |
1992 | FSC | 1 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 20 |
1991 | FSC | 5 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 11.4 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 38 |
Bio
Recruited from Mildura Imperials, Matthew Croft arrived at the Western Bulldogs as a highly touted junior, selected with the second overall pick in the 1989 National Draft. Although he waited until 1991 to make his senior debut, he eventually established himself as a defensive pillar for the club throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. A traditional key defender, Croft was frequently tasked with the unenviable job of manning the era’s most formidable forwards, including Tony Lockett, Jason Dunstall, and Wayne Carey. Despite often conceding size and strength to these opponents, his discipline and close-checking style made him a reliable fixture in the Bulldogs' backline for over a decade.
Croft’s career is perhaps best remembered for its fairytale conclusion in 2004. After spending most of his final season in the VFL, he was recalled alongside teammate Simon Garlick for a farewell appearance against the Kangaroos in Round 21. In a memorable display of versatility, the veteran defender swung forward to boot five goals, steering his side to a victory in his 186th and final game. A loyal one-club player, his connection to the kennel has continued into a new generation, with his son Jordan joining the Bulldogs as a father-son recruit in 2023.
Profile
- Born
- 26 Feb 1973 (age 53y 237d)
- Birthplace
- Morkalla, VIC
- Height
- 191 cm
- Weight
- 94 kg
Teams
Family
- Son:Jordan Croft
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Mildura Imperials, Matthew Croft arrived at the Western Bulldogs as a highly touted junior, selected with the second overall pick in the 1989 National Draft. Although he waited until 1991 to make his senior debut, he eventually established himself as a defensive pillar for the club throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. A traditional key defender, Croft was frequently tasked with the unenviable job of manning the era’s most formidable forwards, including Tony Lockett, Jason Dunstall, and Wayne Carey. Despite often conceding size and strength to these opponents, his discipline and close-checking style made him a reliable fixture in the Bulldogs' backline for over a decade.
Croft’s career is perhaps best remembered for its fairytale conclusion in 2004. After spending most of his final season in the VFL, he was recalled alongside teammate Simon Garlick for a farewell appearance against the Kangaroos in Round 21. In a memorable display of versatility, the veteran defender swung forward to boot five goals, steering his side to a victory in his 186th and final game. A loyal one-club player, his connection to the kennel has continued into a new generation, with his son Jordan joining the Bulldogs as a father-son recruit in 2023.