AFL legend Leigh Matthews has spoken candidly about his footy career and darkest moments in a rare interview with Mark ‘Howie’ Howard on LiSTNR’s The Howie Games podcast.
From breaking point posts to courtroom appearances, ‘Lethal’ reflects on a lifetime in footy with insight, honesty and humour.
Of the 1985 hit on Neville Bruns that left the Geelong player with a broken jaw, Matthews says “It was the worst thing I ever did. I felt unbelievably guilty … The self-loathing was severe.”
“If football can make you do that, never play footy again.”
Matthews pleaded guilty to assault and was de-registered by the league.
“Whatever happened, I deserved,” he says. He also credited legendary Hawthorn coach Allan Jeans for helping him reframe the moment:
“He said, ‘Don’t let that be the last thing people remember you by.’”
Listen to The Howie Games podcast with Leigh Matthews here.