The Mailman delivers 300 games

Old Camberwell Grammarians club legend Matt Cottrell recently became the second player in club history to play 300 games, joining Jordan Heffernan in the 300 Club for the Wellers.

‘Cotters’ has a strong family history with the club. His father, Tim, is a past player and current club official who is the Team Manager of the Thirds, while his younger brother Brett is also a proud long-time Weller who has played more than 200 games.

“I do have a memory of being really little and standing up against the fence watching Dad play,” Matt recalls.

“He was a full-back and only played a couple of games after I was born. I went to Camberwell Grammar and so it was just natural that I followed on to Old Camberwell.”

Joining the Club in 2001, Matt experienced immediate premiership success playing in an Under 19s flag in his first season under the tutelage of club legend Michael ‘Siggy’ Sigalas.

“It was such a thrill. I’d had very little junior success at East Doncaster or East Burwood, so it felt like I’d landed at a powerhouse!

“Siggy had a huge influence on me. He spurred me on. We actually went back-to-back with that Under 19 team, but I got osteitis pubis in 2002, so I missed that flag and then didn’t play at all in 2003. But it was Siggy who kept pushing me to come back and play in 2004, so I owe so much of my career to him.”

As the footy gods would have it, Matt hasn’t won a flag since that first-up success 23 years ago.

“I’ve played in 3 Grand Finals since, all in those early years. One of them, against Ormond, we were almost engraving our medals at half-time but then fell over in the second half!

“I’ve been fortunate to play finals in roughly half of the seasons I’ve played, I reckon. I’ve only played 6 senior games, so most of my footy has been in the Reserves and we were constantly competitive.

“Those Grand Finals are amongst my favourite memories. There’s something very special about the possibility they bring, even though we’ve never been a raging favourite. It gives you a tingle just being out there on Grand Final Day.

“I started my career as a forward, then played the bulk of it as an inside mid. Later, I was a backman, but when I went from Ressies to Thirds, it was a bit easier to keep up, so I moved back into the midfield. That’s where all the action happens!

A four-time Reserves Best & Fairest winner (2004, 2010, 2011 & 2012), Matt was awarded Life Membership of the club in 2012.

“I feel like we’re a real battling never-give-up type of club,” Matt said.

“We started in C, went up to B and then went down to D pre-COVID and now we’re back up to B. Camberwell Grammar is mid-sized and not a strong footy school.

“But there’s always great people around our club. I’ve probably seen 3 or 4 generations by now and, to me, the club means fun and laughter. It’s the reason I’ve stuck around.

“I picked up the nickname ‘the Mailman’ midway through my career,” he recalls with a chuckle.

“Blake Hillier was playing in the forward pocket and I spotted him up on the lead twice in a row. He called himself the ‘Postbox’ and I became the Mailman. Whenever I’ve missed a kick since, it’s just ‘junk mail!”

A clinical psychologist by day, Matt believes his day job has helped him become a better footballer and vice versa.

“A few team-mates might say it helps me get into the head of the opposition! I love the on-field banter and being able to shake hands and have a laugh after.

“Team sport teaches you so much about life. Footy clubs can experience a conflict, and everyone just resolves it and moves forward because we’re all ultimately there for the same reason and the same goal. In daily life, you might tiptoe around that conflict. But at footy clubs, you deal with it and move on.

“Communication is one of the most valuable skills but also one of the hardest to teach. You can teach someone how to be a better footballer but teaching someone to speak up when they’re not comfortable is difficult. You have to create a safe environment.”

Some of Matt’s fondest memories are based in those relationships.

“I often think of the Elgin Inn – they’ve been big sponsors of ours, so we’ve had a lot of dinners there over the years. Some have been planning nights, some have been crisis meetings where we need to pull ourselves together. I love those nights so much because everyone feels united and has the same mission in mind. So whether things are going well or not so well, we’re all there together for the same reason.

“Being around the younger blokes and seeing how they view the world keeps me in touch with the younger generation and wanting to be around their energy. Being able to play with my brother Brett has also been really special.

“We had a coach named Anton Schmitt who set up the opening play of a Prelim Final that saw the ball tapped down to me and I’d then kick it to the open flank for Brett to run onto. Incredibly, the play worked perfectly, and Brett kicked the opening goal of the Prelim Final in literally 15 seconds.

“In fact, it worked so well that Anton suggested we do it again at the start of the third quarter. Sure enough, the tap fell straight to me, I kicked it out to the flank, Brett ran onto it and… kicked it out on the full!”

The sequel wasn’t quite as good as the original!

“Matt is a terrific person, very unassuming and just gets on with the job,” said club President, Gavin Powell.

“He’s a great family man with an extremely supportive wife and three children. Very loyal to the club, he holds a special place in our history as just our second player to 300 games. He’s looked up to by all and sets a great example.”

“Matt continues to front up each week and perform at the highest level for the Thirds,” said Assistant Coach Tim Killworth, who coached Matt in the Reserves.

“With a neat sidestep, always making him extremely difficult to tackle, Matt still patrols the midfield with great authority and as they say – the Mailman Always Delivers! Many of his coaches have called on him to provide something special in the big matches – he’s a Good Driver in Heavy Traffic!”

“We were so lucky to have someone of Tim’s talent coaching us in the Ressies. He really encouraged me to keep at it. He said ‘Your body’s right. You’ll regret it if you stop, so keep at it while you can.”

So how is his 35 year-old body holding up after 300 games?

“I’ve played 16 games this year, which has been fantastic. The body is going ok. I’ve found that if you slow your rate down a little you can extend your career a bit,” Matt said.

“I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries over the years. My hammys haven’t been the best over the past ten years but I can manage those by slowing down a bit. I’ve had a few broken fingers but nothing too major.”

So a 17th season might be on the cards in 2025?

“Every summer I sit down with my wife Jackie and ask ‘Can I go again?” Matt laughs.

“So without Jackie, the last five years wouldn’t have happened. I joke about asking permission but she’s been so proactive about me playing – ‘I think you should do this!’ She’s been an amazing support, especially given we’ve had three kids over the last eight years.

“She says that footy is my coping mechanism – it helps me de-stress and the structure keeps me focused. Everyone has the usual pressures of work and raising a family. She recognises the importance of team sport and connecting with people to share a common focus.

“Plus, my Dad has been such a big supporter and loves being down there helping out around the club. Part of me would feel guilty about retiring, although I’m sure he’ll probably still be there helping out after I’m done! He’s been fantastic and I’ve loved sharing this journey with him.

“And it’s been great for my kids to see me play. Georgina is 8, Ted is 6 and Alexandra is 2. They get along to a few games and Ted ran through the banner with me in my 300th game, which was really special.

“But kids’ sport will soon become our Number #1 priority. So it will be time to give footy away when that clashes. If I can fit another year of footy in next year, I’ll give it another crack.”

“He epitomises the Old Camberwell spirit,” said Powell.

“He just loves his footy. Very competitive but always in the spirit of the game. He loves running around using that beautiful left foot as he has right throughout his career.”

“I never thought I’d make it to 300 games,” says Matt proudly. “It came up on me as a bit of a surprise. I think it shows that the club has been such a safe environment for me to just keep turning up knowing there will be a good bunch of people to connect with and be around.”

As a natural teacher, could coaching be on the horizon?

“Yeah, maybe,” says Matt. “Especially if the kids want to get involved. People always tend to ask the older veterans around the club whether they’d be interested in helping out the next generation. I’ve always enjoyed the leadership aspect of the game as a Captain or Vice-Captain over the years.”

So with another enormous milestone ticked off, Matt intends to see out the 2024 season and sit down with Jackie to ponder whether 2025 might see the Mailman continue to make his deliveries!

Congratulations on your incredible achievement Matt and from everyone at the VAFA and right throughout the Ammos community, we look forward to seeing you head out in pursuit of your next milestone – the Old Camberwell Games Record!