Is likened to Rylee West from the Dogs who I highly rate and had a fantastic season with 39 frankfurts.

My son and I are part of a small group of Melbourne supporters on Whatsapp and this is his post from yesterday:

" The top players in the draft pool were asked to name a round 1 'bolter.' Willem Duursma said: " I might go with Tom Matthews, who's our captain at Gippy Power. He's a great leader. He's had a tough year with injury, but his best as a small forward is absolutely unreal. To start the year he was kicking bags but unfortunately got injured. But he's ferocious, kicks goals, takes big marks. He can do anything as a small forward and he'd be someone I'd really like to take a chance on."

I still haven't lost the smile!

6 hours ago, stinga said:

Great replacement for Spargo. The difference being that he can kick the ball some distance and actually kicks goals.

100 % agree!

How about the nickname 'Boo', as in 'Boo Boo'. Yogi Bear's smaller best mate.....

Edited 22 hours ago22 hr by BigBadBustling

21 minutes ago, BigBadBustling said:

How about the nickname 'Boo', as in 'Boo Boo'. Yogi Bear's smaller best mate.....

Is it odd that this is the draftee I'm most excited about? He looks like he could be a genuine match-winner.

3 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Jamie Elliott like..

Don’t you get me too excited now

18 hours ago, Hiram Cowfreak said:

He’ll be the next Toby Greene mark my words

Marked!

Thanks Dazz he looks like a great kid especially in our colours.

22 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Hey there Boo Boo

Looking at his (brief) highlights, I think there's a smattering of Darcy Jones in there too, with his speed and tenacity.

24 minutes ago, BigBadBustling said:

Hey there Boo Boo

Smarter than your avERAge bear 🐻

Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

2 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Smarter than your avERAge bear 🐻

So it's official... NO .. Pic Nic baskets at training !!

Small forward who brings defensive pressure and can also hit the scoreboard. Helps he’s a leader and good team mate. Seems like a good second round pick. We’ve got a few small forwards now, time to find a style that allows them to thrive!

Welcome Thomas!

22 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

If Matthews stayed on the same trajectory that he was on prior to his PCL

Would’ve grown more too

Didn't know he was the Gippsland captain. This just gets better and better

Seems more and more to like about this kid. Gotta love the country boys. Great interview - really positive. You can almost feel the energy he has - a real energiser bunny! Shaping as a locker room and crowd favourite. Stats file says 171 cm which is very small - but on a postive note, same as Kossie? Might still grow a little?

Trying to constrain a big smile at the start. This kid is so rapt to be there. Good signs.

13 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

During the 8(!) months (so far!) of recovery he says, 'I learnt a lot about myself' and it was 'a blessing in disguise'. Both a mature, self-aware, response in itself, and an agent of further maturing.

But is there anything to worry about in that recovery time for a PCL/meniscus injury, still under way and, per the earlier post, only in the last few weeks beginning to 'learn to walk again'? Don't expect too much of him in 2026?

...And can our interviewers please, please, please try 'Tell us about...'

What is so complicated in every topic that we need to be 'talked through' it?!

55 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

During the 8(!) months (so far!) of recovery he says, 'I learnt a lot about myself' and it was 'a blessing in disguise'. Both a mature, self-aware, response in itself, and an agent of further maturing.

But is there anything to worry about in that recovery time for a PCL/meniscus injury, still under way and, per the earlier post, only in the last few weeks beginning to 'learn to walk again'? Don't expect too much of him in 2026?

He tried to play through the injury. Delayed surgery so he is a little behind other draftees.

the new Nibbler.

22 minutes ago, Ted Lasso said:

the new Nibbler.

Might be Nibbler²