Matthew Capuano
Encyclopedia
Matthew Capuano is a former Australian rules football
er who spent his AFL
career with the North Melbourne Football Club
and the St Kilda Football Club. Capuano is currently a development coach at the Carlton Football Club
. He was most remembered for being sack
ed by the Saints at the middle of the 2003 season
.
. He played a total of 82 games for the Kangaroos, and was a member of the club's 1996
and 1999 premiership side.
, he underwent a knee surgery after Round 9 and missed all remaining AFL games that season.
, explained that Capuano's poor form lead to his sacking. While it is suggested that the young and rising Saints did not need Capuano's service anymore, the Saints were also criticised for axing Capuano at the wrong time as Trent Knobel
and Barry Brooks
, their other two ruckmen, were both injured at the time.
Although a number of VFL clubs sought Capuano’s servicea after he was sacked, he did not accept any offers and spent the latter half of 2003 travelling Europe. He was also not nominated for the 2003 AFL Draft
.
in 2009 to coach their ruckmen on a part-time basis. The following season, the Blues made Capuano a full-time development coach and a direct ruck coach.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who spent his AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
career with the North Melbourne Football Club
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and the St Kilda Football Club. Capuano is currently a development coach at the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. He was most remembered for being sack
Sack
A sack is a bag, especially a large one for carrying or storing goods.Sack may also refer to:* Quarterback sack, a tackle of the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage in American and Canadian football* Sack , an Irish band...
ed by the Saints at the middle of the 2003 season
2003 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2003.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-National Cup:...
.
Kangaroos career
Capuano made his AFL debut for North Melbourne in the 1994 season1994 AFL season
-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 165. An additional 9 games were played during the finals series. It was the first season that the AFL implemented a top 8 team finals series...
. He played a total of 82 games for the Kangaroos, and was a member of the club's 1996
1996 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 1996.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Lighting Premiership:...
and 1999 premiership side.
St Kilda career
Capuano's career with the Saints was plagued by shoulder and knee injuries. He played 25 games in his three seasons for the Saints. Although making his 100th AFL appearance in Round 8, 20022002 AFL season
-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5 :-Ladder:All teams played 22 games during the home and away season, for a total of 176...
, he underwent a knee surgery after Round 9 and missed all remaining AFL games that season.
Mid-season sacking
After making six appearances in the first nine rounds of the 2003 season, Capuano was sacked by the Saints. The coach, Grant ThomasGrant Thomas (footballer)
Grant Thomas is a former Australian rules football player and coach. He most recently held the position of coach of the St Kilda Football Club from 2001–2006. He attended St Bede's College in Mentone.- Playing career :...
, explained that Capuano's poor form lead to his sacking. While it is suggested that the young and rising Saints did not need Capuano's service anymore, the Saints were also criticised for axing Capuano at the wrong time as Trent Knobel
Trent Knobel
Trent Knobel is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Knobel, a ruckman originally from the Gold Coast, was recruited to the AFL in his home state with the Brisbane Lions onto their rookie list. He made his debut in 2000 after a rookie elevation...
and Barry Brooks
Barry Brooks
Barry Brooks is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .-Early career:Brooks was recruited as the number 15 draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft from Grassy...
, their other two ruckmen, were both injured at the time.
Although a number of VFL clubs sought Capuano’s servicea after he was sacked, he did not accept any offers and spent the latter half of 2003 travelling Europe. He was also not nominated for the 2003 AFL Draft
2003 AFL Draft
The 2003 AFL Draft was the 2003 instance of the AFL Draft, the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League...
.
Coaching
Capuano signed with the Carlton Football ClubCarlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in 2009 to coach their ruckmen on a part-time basis. The following season, the Blues made Capuano a full-time development coach and a direct ruck coach.