Leigh Matthews vs Essendon 1973

[Paul Kersey]

In the 1973 season Matthews won Hawthorn's Leading Goal Kicker for first time in his career by kicking 51 goals in 19 games. In that season Matthews played what many regard as the greatest game ever played and at quarter time of that game, Leigh Matthews had only one goal, and the Hawks had a lead of only seven points over Essendon. These statistics gave little warning of the incredible 11 goals that 'Lethal' Leigh would kick by game's end - a record for a rover - in the Hawks' 27.8 (170) to 15.12 (102) win. Matthews also ended up with 38 kicks for the game.

Was anyone from this board at this game?

 

[hawkrider]

Yes, I was there. It was awesome. Freakish skills, strength, it was all on display. I was only a kid but it still sticks in my mind. Typical goals were take possesion of loose footy, dodge, spin, weave, shrug off 2 or 3 tackles and slot it home from tough angle. Don't tell Davo23 or he will call me an old fart again.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Good stuff.

 

[Philhawk]

38 kicks and 11 goals?

You've got to be kidding me.

That's insane!

 

[Phil McCreviss]

38 kicks and 11 goals?

You've got to be kidding me.

That's insane!

For all of you West Coast supporters who believe that Judd is the best ever, remind me when he picked up 38 and kicked 11 and you will have a strong case. Matthews would have smashed Judd on all levels. The best I have ever seen.....and there is daylight between the rest.

 

[jase]

Yes, I was there. It was awesome. Freakish skills, strength, it was all on display. I was only a kid but it still sticks in my mind. Typical goals were take possesion of loose footy, dodge, spin, weave, shrug off 2 or 3 tackles and slot it home from tough angle. Don't tell Davo23 or he will call me an old fart again.

just rewatched some footage in the magnificent 80's d.v.d. you couldnt describe it better.maybe a cross between judd,browney & voss, with a good dose of pickett prescence thrown in for good measure, I think i might go & relieve myself!!!

 

[frankc]

For all of you West Coast supporters who believe that Judd is the best ever, remind me when he picked up 38 and kicked 11 and you will have a strong case. Matthews would have smashed Judd on all levels. The best I have ever seen.....and there is daylight between the rest.

Leigh Matthews is without questions the greatest footballer of the modern era. Only Gary Ablett for mine is comparable.

Both players were amazingly versatile and were a danger wherever they played.

I think Judd has the potential to be the equal of these two, however he has many years in front of him to justify such a comparison.

If we compare Matthews and Judd has on-ballers I think the key differences are that matthews was more subtle in his movements, while Judd is explosive. However Judd will probably never get close to Matthews allround capabilities. I think matthews kicked some 915 goals from 340 off games.

 

[Phil McCreviss]

Leigh Matthews is without questions the greatest footballer of the modern era. Only Gary Ablett for mine is comparable.

Both players were amazingly versatile and were a danger wherever they played.

I think Judd has the potential to be the equal of these two, however he has many years in front of him to justify such a comparison.

If we compare Matthews and Judd has on-ballers I think the key differences are that matthews was more subtle in his movements, while Judd is explosive. However Judd will probably never get close to Matthews allround capabilities. I think matthews kicked some 915 goals from 340 off games.

Big call on Judd being the equal of Matthews. If anyone had the pleasure of watching Matthews, it wasn't just brilliance (like a Judd). It was brilliance and brut strength which is a very rare commodity. You could see when Matthews wanted the ball, opposition players used to part ways. It was scary! And if you got in the way, it didnt matter because you would be left on the floor spitting your teeth out. As good as Judd is, he isn't feared and doesn't have the killer instinct that Matthews had. Sure he can do damage, pick up 30 possies and kick a couple of goals but he will never be as good. Nor is he capable of breaking a goal post

 

[Roddy]

Judd could break Tucky's record and still not come within a bull's roar of playing a game as dominant as that. Not in Lethal's league (but then again, who was?)

 

[frankc]

Big call on Judd being the equal of Matthews. If anyone had the pleasure of watching Matthews, it wasn't just brilliance (like a Judd). It was brilliance and brut strength which is a very rare commodity. You could see when Matthews wanted the ball, opposition players used to part ways. It was scary! And if you got in the way, it didnt matter because you would be left on the floor spitting your teeth out. As good as Judd is, he isn't feared and doesn't have the killer instinct that Matthews had. Sure he can do damage, pick up 30 possies and kick a couple of goals but he will never be as good. Nor is he capable of breaking a goal post

I said Judd has the potential, but has many years remaining before such a comparison is justified.

 

[grizzlym]

*bump*

Rather appropriate given he was named a legend today. (But we already knew Lethal was a legend.)

 

[mrcurly]

Lethal would have been cast ahead of Bruce Willis in 'unbreakable', except he could also perform feats of genius in the wet.

BTW - That was not the only time Lethal bagged 11 goals!

 

[grizzlym]

Best player I ever saw.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Judd could break Tucky's record and still not come within a bull's roar of playing a game as dominant as that. Not in Lethal's league (but then again, who was?)

The only advantage Judd (at his peak) had over Matthews is leg speed. Lethal was superior in every other discipline of the game. Please don't insult Matthews by comparing him with an over-rated hack like Judd.

I saw the game where Lethal kicked 11 goals on television. Just so totally dominant it was almost laughable.

 

[stemline]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=35wQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4470,5172922

Hit this link then scroll down a bit to see the votes that day from Ron Carter.

Says Lethal had 38 kicks, 10 handballs and 9 marks to go with the 11 goals.

Be nice to have had him as captain in Supercoach!

Also an article on the game at the top of the page by Peter Crimmins.

And to the left of this article is some more on his game:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4JwQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6120,5193464

 

[arupist]

Just a smal side anecdote.

I recall sometime after Lethal retired, I was walking down some non-descript arcade between Flinders Lane and the station, and passed a forlorn-looking Lethal sitting at a little table outside some non-descript shop. Obviously doing some promotion work, but there was no-one around.

I also recall lamenting at the time, Jesus, Leigh, has it all come down to this? Such a great man, such a sorry sight.

His recent elevation to Sports Australia Legend is well deserved and recognises what a great player and coach we was. Untouchable.

 

[stemline]

Just a smal side anecdote.

I recall sometime after Lethal retired, I was walking down some non-descript arcade between Flinders Lane and the station, and passed a forlorn-looking Lethal sitting at a little table outside some non-descript shop. Obviously doing some promotion work, but there was no-one around.

I also recall lamenting at the time, Jesus, Leigh, has it all come down to this? Such a great man, such a sorry sight.

What year was this? He retired end 85 and was at Collingwood as an assistant in 86, taking over the reigns there before the year was out.

Any years he hasn't been coaching he's been commentating on Ch7.

Not doubting you, just interested to know when it was.

 

[arupist]

What year was this? He retired end 85 and was at Collingwood as an assistant in 86, taking over the reigns there before the year was out.

Any years he hasn't been coaching he's been commentating on Ch7.

Not doubting you, just interested to know when it was.

At my age, mate, the years just blend together. I think it was around 85/6 as I was in Melb at that time.

I regret to this day, not taking the time to sit and have a chat with him.

 

[Henry Jr]

Just one for GH, Matthews had 227 Dreamteam points (not including tackles or free kicks)

 

[IBleedBrownNGold]

Freak.

 

[BaliHawk]

Was fortunate to have been around for all of Lethal's career and attend when I could, was at Waverley for the game vs Essendon which made all the appropriate headlines at the time however for some reason recall the match vs Melbourne at the MCG where he also kicked 11 goals a little clearer ....maybe he celebrated a bit more...was never one to make a big deal about things, twas a long time ago!

Lethal by name and by nature.

 

[mrcurly]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=35wQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4470,5172922

Hit this link then scroll down a bit to see the votes that day from Ron Carter.

Says Lethal had 38 kicks, 10 handballs and 9 marks to go with the 11 goals.

Be nice to have had him as captain in Supercoach!

Also an article on the game at the top of the page by Peter Crimmins.

And to the left of this article is some more on his game:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4JwQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6120,5193464

... overshadowed by the great man was Charlie Grummisch slotting a lazy 5 goals that day, not bad for a lightly built half forward.
He struggled to hold down a regular senior position. We would kill for a half forward of his quality in 2011, freakish mark - lethal left boot. One of my favorite players of that era.

 

[Hodgepodge]

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=35wQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4470,5172922

Hit this link then scroll down a bit to see the votes that day from Ron Carter.

Says Lethal had 38 kicks, 10 handballs and 9 marks to go with the 11 goals.

Be nice to have had him as captain in Supercoach!

Also an article on the game at the top of the page by Peter Crimmins.

And to the left of this article is some more on his game:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4JwQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1JADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6120,5193464

lol @ the Watergate coverage and "Waite to face tribunal"

Some things never change

 

[Hodgepodge]

I'm helping with the stats for stats.rleague.com and Lethal's numbers are untouchable in any era of football.

I currently have stats dating back to 1977, but they're going to do at least back to 1973 I think.

 

[Lord Mud of Glenferrie]

Another anecdote. Hawthorn vrs Collingwood at Victoria Park round 21 1971.

I was standing next to two Collingwood supporters behind the goals at the end where the Pies Membership wing is on the right.

One Collingwood dud said to the other “Who is that wearing number 32, he is killing us?” A Hawthorn supporter behind them “well you better get used to it, he is only 18 and already better than anyone your lot has ever produced.”

That was the day the Collingwood “Supporters” booed their Captain - Des Tuddenham -off the field. Ironically, Tuddy was Collingwood’s best.It was just unthinkable that the Hawthorn upstarts could slaughter their mob at Victoria Park.

Wee Lee kicked three goals and it could easily have been eight. He completely dominated the duds , physically, mentally and skilfully. Lucky those Collingwood players wore their home shorts and the stains were not obvious against the black.