I'd forgotten this one: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/he-ran-into-matthews-and-that-was-the-end-of-him-20180810-p4zwq3.html#comments

From The Age this morning. Of course I remember his cowardly attacks on Peter Giles and Steven Smith -jaw breaking blows when his opponents were not looking, and this is another one although it might have been in a contest.

Someone in the comments says Matthews might have handed out plenty but he copped plenty as well...that's laughable, no one ever hit so many people so violently behind the play. He is a repulsive human being. That is now is a commentator on such incidents is an indictment on our media.

Edited August 10, 20186 yr by pitmaster

2 minutes ago, pitmaster said:

I'd forgotten this one: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/he-ran-into-matthews-and-that-was-the-end-of-him-20180810-p4zwq3.html#comments

From The Age this morning. Of course I remember his cowardly attacks on Peter Giles and Steven Smith -jaw breaking blows when his opponents were not looking, and this is another one although it might have been in a contest.

Someone in the comments says Matthews might have handed out plenty but he copped plenty as well...that's laughable, no one ever hit so many people so violently behind the play. He is a repulsive human being. That is now is a commentator on such incidents is an indictment on our media.

Could not agree more. Thug who has the gall to comment on current offences What a drongo.Go away in shame Matthews!

The bloke's a thug. Always has been. Pot kettle black.

Seems appropriate a Wees and Poos talks shlt.

He and Dipper...two Neaderthals of the game.

Interesting story, and seeing as the year was 1974 the coach referred in less than glowing terms was R. Skilton.

Edited August 10, 20186 yr by demonstone
wrong year

I read somewhere that Neville Bruns has tried on a number of occasions to speak with leathal and every time he’s not wanted a bar of him. Says alot IMO . Kind of puts the gaff and Bugg incidents in perspective , both very remorseful and sorry for their actions, and thinking of the victim and the impact of their actions 

Lethal on the other hand was probably just sorry he got caught . On 100 years of Australian footy video (about 20 years ago) he talks about the incident and his first thought was “why did I do that... and oh no ... they’ll be coming” . 

No wonder he used the phrase “if it bleeds it can be killed” in 2001. But that’s ok the AFL put a statue of him outside the mcg so we should get his opinions on a red card system 

Absolute thug and a weak as [censored] of a bloke is Matthews.

Especially after hearing Bruns has tried numerous times to sit down with Leigh and talk it over but yet Matthew refuses to front up to him.

Weak as [censored].

If there is to be a silver lining to Brayshaw getting his face caved in, then hopefully its the thugs from yesterday getting called out for what they are.

Seeing a jolly Leigh Matthews going about his business in the media all of sudden leaves a foul taste in my mouth. I never saw him play, but I've seen the statue and heard of him as "the greatest player of all time". But now i know, he was just a scumbag and thats how he should be remembered as a footballer.

Charged by the Police ....such an honourable person ?

I heard the story from a long time Demon fan (not sure if he was at the game though) The way he told McMullin never played again after Matthews broke his jaw, but clearly he did.  It wasn't unusual for Matthews, but it would have been worth the price of admission to see Big Carl chase him round the ground.

To add innuendo to further tarnish his notorious reputation, I've heard Matthews departure from Collingwood wasn't all that amicable either, especially from a particular player's perspective.  Matthews, Thompson, Carey, Buddy.... good players, but 'friends' like them you can do without.

Ah Lethal Leigh.  Probably the most cold-blooded and ruthless footballer I've ever seen.  Hated by many Dees supporters and the supporters of other opposing teams.

Loved him and just wished he played for my team.

What a player.

42 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Absolute thug and a weak as [censored] of a bloke is Matthews.

Especially after hearing Bruns has tried numerous times to sit down with Leigh and talk it over but yet Matthew refuses to front up to him.

Weak as [censored].

Gets worse. A few days ago Leigh was asked why he hadn't spoken to Bruns, who has reached out several times to meet him. Leigh said simply because he didn't want to and in a fairly pathetic comment said " now you have reminded me of the incident and refreshed it". He was angry at that. Pretty pathetic answer from a so called tough guy.

I saw him king hit Steven Smith and Peter Giles from behind, knocking them out and causing further damage and they were two of the most vicious, unprovoked, assaults I have ever seen on a football field.

While I think he is the best player all around, I have seen, he was also a thug. Not that he was the only one of course, in days gone past, but the condemnation of Gaff for one incident, when compared to these thugs of the past is quite startling.

Edited August 11, 20186 yr by Redleg

A true champion doesn't go around whacking blokes.

2 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

A true champion doesn't go around whacking blokes.

I don't think I have ever heard anyone call Leigh a Champion. He was a brilliant player, but I agree with you, if you use the word champion in a best and fairest sense, he falls far below the criteria.

He would be the first picked in my team though, for all of his talent and aggression.

Saw the Giles one at MCG, Punt Road end. Not even a free - they goaled and turned the game. 

When/where was S Smith?

2 minutes ago, radar said:

Saw the Giles one at MCG, Punt Road end. Not even a free - they goaled and turned the game. 

When/where was S Smith?

Prince Park. Smith was playing on Leigh and killing him. Smith was in the State side in the game to come.

Leigh king hit him and I think broke his jaw, as well as knocking him out cold. Smith was stretchered off, missed the State game and I think most of the rest of the season.

Absolute thug act.

Hawthorne been full of them over the years. They've also won a premiership every 4 years over the past 4 decades...

Leigh Matthews a street thug who was allowed to kick goals

It is sad that a statue was made to honour him

14 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Leigh Matthews a street thug who was allowed to kick goals

It is sad that a statue was made to honour him

Hopefully the pidgeons are doing the right thing.

49 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Prince Park. Smith was playing on Leigh and killing him. Smith was in the State side in the game to come.

Leigh king hit him and I think broke his jaw, as well as knocking him out cold. Smith was stretchered off, missed the State game and I think most of the rest of the season.

Absolute thug act.

I was listening to it on the radio in 83 I believe and the first time in a long time we beat them there.   Matthews was playing at Full Forward and couldn't get a kick.

The radio said he'd plastered his nose across his face (but he may have also broken his jaw).  Dog act.

39 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Leigh Matthews a street thug who was allowed to kick goals

It is sad that a statue was made to honour him

Yes couldn't agree more. 

Matthews, great player, thug.

We had one and he is loved on here.  Rod Grinter.  Saw him at PP one day end a young kids career in the two's by flattening him and as he lay unconscious on the ground high five his teammates as he ran to the backline. The kid never played again and was still unconscious hours later.  Having said that Rod wasn't renowned for hitting players behind the play but the avoidable damage he did to players was significant.

Jack Dyer was a thug as were many others.  It's was a different era with different expectations and standards.  Thankfully we are moving on.

But just because blokes like Matthews and Brereton were thugs doesn't mean their opinions aren't relevant or they don't have great knowledge of the game. In fact, they probably have a better understanding of football violence and it's motives than most.

 

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

 

I saw him king hit Steven Smith and Peter Giles from behind, knocking them out and causing further damage and they were two of the most vicious, unprovoked, assaults I have ever seen on a football field.

 

I was at both games. I was 16 or 17 at the time. Worse thing i have seen at the football - or anywhere for that matter.  I have been king hit before. Badly. They were both way worse and designed to inflict maximum impact.

I for one am glad he never was at our club. I don't care how good a player he was. 

2 hours ago, Delusional demon 82 said:

I read somewhere that Neville Bruns has tried on a number of occasions to speak with leathal and every time he’s not wanted a bar of him. Says alot IMO . Kind of puts the gaff and Bugg incidents in perspective , both very remorseful and sorry for their actions, and thinking of the victim and the impact of their actions 

Lethal on the other hand was probably just sorry he got caught . On 100 years of Australian footy video (about 20 years ago) he talks about the incident and his first thought was “why did I do that... and oh no ... they’ll be coming” . 

No wonder he used the phrase “if it bleeds it can be killed” in 2001. But that’s ok the AFL put a statue of him outside the mcg so we should get his opinions on a red card system 

Yep that is true. He said it on SEN the other day that he’s tried numerous times to catch up with Leigh to hear his side of the story but for whatever reason Leigh doesn’t want to. 

And I remember the 100 years of football segment as well. Really gives insight on a time where ‘square ups’ had to be carried out whereas Gaff was really worried about  Brayshaw’s well being.

I’ve said before that I respect Matthews a lot but this particular topic seems to grind the gears. 

Matthews in this day and age, like Whitten and Dyer for that matter,  could not become a “legend of the game” as he would not be playing very many games at all.

I wonder what McMullin and Bruns think as they walk past that bronze statue outside the G?

26 minutes ago, Vogon Poetry said:

Matthews, great player, thug.

We had one and he is loved on here.  Rod Grinter.  Saw him at PP one day end a young kids career in the two's by flattening him and as he lay unconscious on the ground high five his teammates as he ran to the backline. The kid never played again and was still unconscious hours later.  Having said that Rod wasn't renowned for hitting players behind the play but the avoidable damage he did to players was significant.

Jack Dyer was a thug as were many others.  It's was a different era with different expectations and standards.  Thankfully we are moving on.

But just because blokes like Matthews and Brereton were thugs doesn't mean their opinions aren't relevant or they don't have great knowledge of the game. In fact, they probably have a better understanding of football violence and it's motives than most.

 

Couldn’t agree more, but it is still a sad sight to see a Leigh Matthews statue outside the MCG