The 16-year-old gun has been lighting it up for the GWS Academy teams this season and for the last fortnight has been rewarded with a place in the GWS Giants VFL team.
The Ingleburn Magpies junior, who has grown up in Appin and attends St Gregory’s High School, is highly regarded within footy circles and he showed why after a solid display in the Giants 103 point win over the Northern Bullants in Round 11 action.
Matthews had 15 quality possessions and finished with a goal and four score involvements as the Giants climbed to third spot on the VFL ladder with a dominant win over the hapless Bullants.
Blessed with a sweet left foot and a fantastic football brain, Matthews has the poise of a Scott Pendlebury and the footy smarts of a Marcus Bontempelli.
His clean hands, composure under pressure and excellent decision making skills were all on display against the Bullants, who had few answers against the relentless Giants.
Despite his slight build, Matthews didn’t shy away from contests against bigger bodied opponents. His debut against Richmond the previous week was also impressive, and despite coming up against AFL listed players, the youngster wasn’t overawed by the occasion.
The Giants have long made it their ambition to develop a premiership winning squad made up of local players. Kieren Briggs and Josaia Delana currently lead the way in the AFL squad, but there is plenty of other local talent coming through the ranks that should excite Giants fans.
When he isn’t playing for the Giants, Matthews is starring for the South West Sydney Blues in the Sydney AFL Men’s competition, earning himself a Rising Star nomination in Round Six after a scintillating display against Sydney University.
Matthews is also a high achiever off the field, earning the Year 10 School Dux award at St Gregory’s last year. He comes from a talented family with younger sister Ava starring for South West Sydney in the U15 girls AFL Sydney Junior Division One competition.
The growth of Australian rules football in Western Sydney has been a source of great debate among footy fans.
With participation rates increasing this year and with local talent like Ethan Matthews coming through the elite pathways, it’s fair to say there are Giant strides being made in Western Sydney.