Matthew Whelan Information & Matthew Whelan Links at HealthHaven.com

**Matthew** **Whelan**
	;
Personal information
Birth	13 November 1979 (age 30)
Recruited from	Darwin Buffaloes (NT), Woodville-West Torrens (SA)
Height and weight	180cm / 80kg
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 4, 2 April 1997, Melbourne Demons vs. St Kilda Saints, at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Team(s)	Melbourne Demons (1996-2009) 150 Games, 15 Goals
	¹ Statistics to end of Round 22, 2009 season
Career highlights
	; Harold Ball Memorial Trophy 1997;

Matthew Whelan (born 13 November 1979) is an indigenous Australian rules football player.

Wearing the number 45 jersey, Whelan is a reliable defender/back pocket known by Demons fans simply as the "Wheels". He is also nicknamed "the Wrecker" (after Whelan the Wrecker) for his big hits (often on big name players) and tough and uncompromisingly defensive style of play.

His tackling style, to drop the shoulder, results in spectacular, almost spear tackle like throws of opponents.

[edit] Early Life

Matthew has Indigenous Australian heritage and his ancestry can be traced to the Ngalakan language speaking peoples of the Arnhem Land.^[1] He grew up in Darwin Darwin in the Northern Territory, where he played rugby league at junior levels before concentrating on Australian football at the age of 15.

[edit] AFL Career

[edit] 2003 & Shane Crawford incident

In a rare report for rough play in 2003 for what appeared to be a dangerous throw on Shane Crawford he was later cleared by the tribunal of any infringement.^[2]

[edit] 2004 & James Hird incident

During the 2004 AFL Finals Series, Melbourne were drawn to play most-hated rivals Essendon. With about 5 minutes to go in the first half, and with Melbourne in trouble, Whelan knocked James Hird unconscious in a strong shirtfront, regathered the ball and fed it off to Travis Johnstone who finished off the play with a goal to bring up double figures for the Demons. A Video of the hit can be seen here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4prxr0OaEU

[edit] 2005 & Nathan Brown incident

During the final quarter of the Melbourne v Richmond game on 27 May 2005, Richmond attacked in their 50 when Whelan came from nowhere to smother Nathan G. Brown's kick. Because Brown was kicking with his left boot Whelan landed on his right foot, and, in front of horrified Friday Night Football viewers, broke his leg. Replays were constantly played on the news, including Sports Tonight and FOX Sports News. Whelan said that he had felt guilty, given the seriousness of Brown's injury. Brown sat out the rest of the season, and has had re-occurring leg-related injuries ever since.

[edit] 2006 AFL Season

Whelan has had a stellar season in 2006, marred only by minor injuries to his calf and hamstring.he kicked a career high 4 goals in round 5

[edit] 2007 & Luke Ball incident

During the 2007 season opener against St Kilda, while shepherding a teammate, Whelan turned his back, colliding solidly with Luke Ball. The severe collision injured both players, resulting in both coming off the ground, with the back of Whelan's head lacerating Ball's forehead. Ball was carried off the ground with a laceration to his head, although both players later returned to play out the game. Whelan was charged for rough play based on the video. The charge, however, was later dropped as the high contact was ruled as an accidental clash of heads, while Ball continued a slow recovery from the injury.^[3]

His 2007 season saw him play just a handful of games due to injury.

[edit] 2008 & Brendan Fevola incident

In round 5 of the 2008 season, Whelan was reported for striking Carlton's full-forward Brendon Fevola. He was offered a 2 week suspension by the AFL. But an early-guilty plea reduced this to just one week.

[edit] Retirement

In August 2009 Whelan announced his retirement from the AFL alongside team mate Paul Wheatley, effective after Round 22, as part of the Melbourne Football Club's youth policy. His career has been plagued by injury, but is leaving on a good note and was happy to play an important role mentoring the MFC's young Aboriginal players. ^[4]

[edit] References

^ AFL Record. Round 9,2009. Slattery Publishing. pg 75.
^ [1]
^ Ball plans for Round 4 | Herald Sun
^ afl.com.au Whelan, Wheatley to call it a day.

[edit] External links

Matthew Whelan profile on the Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club
Matthew Whelan's statistics from AFL Tables

[0] AFL Record. Round 9,2009. Slattery Publishing. pg 75.

[1] [1]

[2] Ball plans for Round 4 | Herald Sun

[test-3] .com.au Whelan, Wheatley to call it a day.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

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