Matthew Whelan
Encyclopedia
Matthew Whelan is a former professional Australian rules football
player.
Wearing the number 45 jersey, Whelan was reliable defender/back pocket
known by Demons fans simply as the "Wheels". He also earned the nickname "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, resulted in spectacular, almost spear tackle
like throws of opponents.
speaking peoples of the Arnhem Land
.
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.
Before heading to Victoria in 2000, Whelan played in both the Northern Territory and South Australian leagues. From October to March he would play for Darwin before heading to Woodville-West Torrens for the winter.
he was later cleared by the tribunal of any infringement.
. With about five minutes to go in the first half, Whelan knocked James Hird
unconscious with a strong shirtfront, re-gathered 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. Whelan, playing his first final, was one of Melbourne's best, picking up 22 possessions and a match high five tackles.
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.
.he kicked a career high four goals in round-five
, 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.
His 2007 season saw him play just a handful of games due to injury.
, Whelan was reported for striking Carlton
's full-forward Brendon Fevola. He was offered a two-week suspension by the AFL. But an early-guilty plea reduced this to just one week.
In February 2010, Whelan was awarded life membership of the Melbourne Football club at the club's annual general meeting.
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...
player.
Wearing the number 45 jersey, Whelan was reliable defender/back pocket
Back pocket
In Australian rules football, the back pocket refers to a position on the field deep in defence.Back pocket players, situated in the backline, need to have good spoiling skills and usually, quality back-pockets are noted for their hardness....
known by Demons fans simply as the "Wheels". He also earned the nickname "Wrecker" (after Whelan the Wrecker
Whelan the Wrecker
Whelan the Wrecker is a demolition company based in Melbourne which became infamous in the 1960s and later in the 1980s for its role in the destruction of much of the grand Victorian buildings of Marvellous Melbourne that the city had become famous for, many of them along Collins Street's "golden...
) for his big hits (often on big name players) and tough and uncompromisingly defensive style of play. His tackling style, to drop the shoulder, resulted in spectacular, almost spear tackle
Spear tackle
A spear tackle is a dangerous tackle in rugby union, rugby league and Australian rules football whereby a player lifts another player into the air and dumps or drops them upside down...
like throws of opponents.
Early life
Matthew has Indigenous Australian heritage and his ancestry can be traced to the Ngalakan languageNgalakan language
Ngalakan or Ngalakgan is an Australian Aboriginal language. It is one of the Northern Non-Pama–Nyungan languages.-Consonants:Ngalakan has a typical Australian consonant inventory, with many coronal places of articulation , including nasals at every stop place, and four liquids, but no fricatives...
speaking peoples of the Arnhem Land
Arnhem Land
The Arnhem Land Region is one of the five regions of the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located in the north-eastern corner of the territory and is around 500 km from the territory capital Darwin. The region has an area of 97,000 km² which also covers the area of Kakadu National...
.
He grew up in Darwin Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
in the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, where he played rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
at junior levels before concentrating on Australian football at the age of 15.
Before heading to Victoria in 2000, Whelan played in both the Northern Territory and South Australian leagues. From October to March he would play for Darwin before heading to Woodville-West Torrens for the winter.
2000 debut season
Whelan made his debut in round four of season 2000 and played every game until round 20 when an injured neck cost him his place and he missed the finals, including Melbourne's grand final appearance. This was a major blow to the Demons who missed his toughness against a more physical Essendon.History repeats
History repeated itself in 2002 when Whelan played every game but was forced out in round 22 with a calf injury, and another finals series went begging.2003 & Shane Crawford incident
In a rare report for rough play in 2003 for what appeared to be a dangerous throw on Shane CrawfordShane Crawford
Shane Barry Crawford is a former Australian rules footballer, having played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League...
he was later cleared by the tribunal of any infringement.
2004 & James Hird incident
During the 2004 Elimination Final, Melbourne were drawn to play rivals EssendonEssendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. With about five minutes to go in the first half, Whelan knocked James Hird
James Hird
James Hird is a former professional Australian rules footballer and the current coach of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League....
unconscious with a strong shirtfront, re-gathered the ball and fed it off to Travis Johnstone
Travis Johnstone
Travis Johnstone is an Australian rules footballer who has played for the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne in the Australian Football League...
who finished off the play with a goal to bring up double figures for the Demons. Whelan, playing his first final, was one of Melbourne's best, picking up 22 possessions and a match high five tackles.
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 Brown's kick. Because Brown was kicking with his left boot Whelan landed on his right foot, and, in front of horrified Friday Night FootballFriday Night Football (Australia)
In Australia, Friday Night Football is the broadcasting of both the National Rugby League and Australian Football League Friday night matches on television. Friday Night Football is generally considered to be the biggest stage and generate the most publicity for the clubs involved in both codes...
viewers, broke his leg. Replays were constantly played on the news, including Sports Tonight
Sports Tonight
Sports Tonight was an Australian sports information program broadcast on Network Ten . The program was broadcast on Weeknights at 10.30 pm; at 11.00pm , Fridays at 12.00am , and on Sunday from 7:30pm AEDT Sports Tonight was an Australian sports information program broadcast on Network Ten (and on...
and FOX Sports News
Fox Sports News
Fox Sports News is an Australian cable and satellite sports news channel. Owned by Premier Media Group and is the sister channel of Fox Sports.Fox Sports News launched on October 1, 2006. The channel runs live for 19 hours a day, broadcasting 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.
2006 AFL Season
Whelan had a stellar season in 2006, marred only by minor injuries to his calf and hamstringHamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
.he kicked a career high four goals in round-five
2007 & Luke Ball incident
During the 2007 season opener against St KildaSt. Kilda Football Club
The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed The Saints, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club plays in the Australian Football League, the sport's premier league....
, while shepherding a teammate, Whelan turned his back, colliding solidly with Luke Ball
Luke Ball
Luke Patrick Ball is a professional Australian rules football player currently playing for in the Australian Football League....
. 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.
His 2007 season saw him play just a handful of games due to injury.
2008 & Brendan Fevola incident
In round-five of the 2008 season2008 AFL season
-Round 1 :-Round 2:-Round 3 :-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6 :-Round 7:-AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match:-Round 8:...
, Whelan was reported for striking Carlton
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...
's full-forward Brendon Fevola. He was offered a two-week suspension by the AFL. But an early-guilty plea reduced this to just one week.
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.In February 2010, Whelan was awarded life membership of the Melbourne Football club at the club's annual general meeting.