AFL career
175 games125 goals
- Debut
- R3 1996 v COL14 Apr 1996
- Most recent
- R11 2005 v CAR4 June 2005
Coaching career
156 games71 wins84 losses1 draws
- First
- R1 2020 v SYD21 Mar 2020
- Most recent
- SF 2026 v BRL12 Sept 2026
Stats
2005 | SYD | 9 | 6.4 | 3.0 | 9.4 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 44 |
2004 | SYD | 17 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 10.8 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 54 |
2003 | SYD | 18 | 6.9 | 3.2 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 50 |
2002 | SYD | 21 | 8.9 | 3.4 | 12.3 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 64 |
2001 | SYD | 18 | 10.3 | 3.9 | 14.2 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 69 |
2000 | SYD | 19 | 12.1 | 4.5 | 16.6 | 5.6 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 72 |
1999 | SYD | 23 | 11.4 | 5.3 | 16.8 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 65 |
1998 | SYD | 24 | 12.1 | 5.8 | 17.9 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 70 |
1997 | SYD | 20 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 12.5 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 47 |
1996 | SYD | 6 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 29 |
Bio
Recruited from West Adelaide with pick 21 in the 1994 National Draft, Matthew Nicks established himself as a versatile utility for the Sydney Swans over a decade-long career. While he initially made his name as a disciplined defender and tagger capable of shutting down dangerous opponents, he evolved into a valuable marking target in the forward line during his later years, often using his endurance to work up the ground. Nicks was renowned for his selfless work ethic and club-first attitude, attributes that made him a central figure in the Swans' leadership group during their cultural resurgence under Rodney Eade and Paul Roos.
His playing days concluded with a mix of pride and personal heartbreak in 2005. After battling persistent leg injuries, Nicks announced his retirement late in the season and was unable to force his way back into the side for the finals campaign, ultimately watching from the stands as his teammates broke the club's 72-year premiership drought. Despite missing out on the ultimate success as a player, his football IQ was highly regarded, paving the way for a successful transition into coaching that eventually saw him appointed senior coach of the Adelaide Crows.
Profile
- Born
- 13 May 1975 (age 51y 161d)
- Birthplace
- Adelaide, SA
- Height
- 187 cm
- Weight
- 88 kg
Teams
Coaching
- Adelaide (Senior Coach)2020–2026156 games (W71 L84 D1), 45.5%
Honours
- Sydney B&F
- 3rd
- 1999
- Top 10
- 1998, 2001
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from West Adelaide with pick 21 in the 1994 National Draft, Matthew Nicks established himself as a versatile utility for the Sydney Swans over a decade-long career. While he initially made his name as a disciplined defender and tagger capable of shutting down dangerous opponents, he evolved into a valuable marking target in the forward line during his later years, often using his endurance to work up the ground. Nicks was renowned for his selfless work ethic and club-first attitude, attributes that made him a central figure in the Swans' leadership group during their cultural resurgence under Rodney Eade and Paul Roos.
His playing days concluded with a mix of pride and personal heartbreak in 2005. After battling persistent leg injuries, Nicks announced his retirement late in the season and was unable to force his way back into the side for the finals campaign, ultimately watching from the stands as his teammates broke the club's 72-year premiership drought. Despite missing out on the ultimate success as a player, his football IQ was highly regarded, paving the way for a successful transition into coaching that eventually saw him appointed senior coach of the Adelaide Crows.