Matthew Whelan
Melbourne
AFL career
150 games15 goals
- Debut
- R4 2000 v STK2 Apr 2000
- Most recent
- R22 2009 v STK30 Aug 2009
Stats
2009 | MEL | 10 | 4.4 | 7.8 | 12.2 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 47 | 51 |
2008 | MEL | 12 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 19.1 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 75 | 88 |
2007 | MEL | 5 | 6.0 | 4.6 | 10.6 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 42 | 49 |
2006 | MEL | 19 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 15.5 | 4.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 64 | - |
2005 | MEL | 16 | 7.8 | 5.1 | 12.9 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 57 | - |
2004 | MEL | 20 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 14.9 | 4.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 62 | - |
2003 | MEL | 22 | 7.6 | 6.7 | 14.3 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 58 | - |
2002 | MEL | 21 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 13.3 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 50 | - |
2001 | MEL | 9 | 8.8 | 5.9 | 14.7 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 61 | - |
2000 | MEL | 16 | 7.1 | 6.3 | 13.3 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 50 | - |
Bio
Recruited from Woodville-West Torrens with pick 73 in the 1999 National Draft, Matthew Whelan proved to be an astute late selection for the Demons. A tough, uncompromising back pocket, he established himself as a fan favourite through his ferocious tackling and ability to execute bone-jarring bumps, earning the nickname "Wrecker." Whelan was typically tasked with shutting down the opposition's most dangerous small forwards, using his defensive accountability and physical presence to neutralise goal-sneaks.
Despite his undeniable talent and courage, Whelan's career was heavily impacted by a persistent run of injuries that restricted his continuity at the top level. He spent a decade at Melbourne, serving as a reliable pillar in defence when fit, but often found his seasons curtailed by the physical toll of his playing style. His resilience was rewarded in his final year, 2009, when he managed to reach the 150-game milestone to secure life membership with the club before retiring as a highly respected one-club player and one of the Demons' finest Indigenous talents.
Profile
- Born
- 13 Nov 1979 (age 46y 342d)
- Height
- 180 cm
- Weight
- 80 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Woodville-West Torrens with pick 73 in the 1999 National Draft, Matthew Whelan proved to be an astute late selection for the Demons. A tough, uncompromising back pocket, he established himself as a fan favourite through his ferocious tackling and ability to execute bone-jarring bumps, earning the nickname "Wrecker." Whelan was typically tasked with shutting down the opposition's most dangerous small forwards, using his defensive accountability and physical presence to neutralise goal-sneaks.
Despite his undeniable talent and courage, Whelan's career was heavily impacted by a persistent run of injuries that restricted his continuity at the top level. He spent a decade at Melbourne, serving as a reliable pillar in defence when fit, but often found his seasons curtailed by the physical toll of his playing style. His resilience was rewarded in his final year, 2009, when he managed to reach the 150-game milestone to secure life membership with the club before retiring as a highly respected one-club player and one of the Demons' finest Indigenous talents.