Matt Adamson

Matt Adamson

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Adamson
Born	(1972-08-14) 14 August 1972 (age 44) Taree, New South Wales
Height	195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	107 kg (16 st 12 lb)
Playing information
Position	Fullback, Wing, Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1991 Parramatta Eels 1 0 0 0 0 1993–01 Penrith Panthers 157 28 2 0 116 2002–04 Leeds Rhinos 62 9 0 0 36 2005 Canberra Raiders 16 4 0 0 16 Total 236 41 2 0 168 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1997 Australia (SL) 5 0 0 0 0 2001 New South Wales 2 0 0 0 0 1997 New South Wales(SL) 1 0 0 0 0
Source: Rugby League Project and Yesterday's Hero

Matt Adamson (born 14 August 1972 in Taree, New South Wales) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s, and 2000s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative second-row forward (under the Super League banner), he played club football in Australia with the Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers, and Canberra Raiders, and in England with Leeds. Adamson started his career as a full back or winger, and was moved into the forwards by Penrith coach Royce Simmons, in 1996.

A 6'5" (195 cm) tall fullback or winger in the early years of his career, Adamson was reportedly the second tallest fullback in top level rugby league history in Australia, second only to former Brisbane, Queensland and Australian fullback Paul Hauff who stands 6'6" (197 cm). Adamson has been joined as the second tallest fullback in history by current South Sydney player Greg Inglis who is also 6'5" tall.

Adamson, who had signed with Super League in 1995 along with the rest of the Penrith Panthers and the club itself, made his test debut from the bench for Australia in the inaugural ANZAC Test against New Zealand in 1997, won 34–22 by Australia at the Sydney Football Stadium. He was then selected in the second row for the end of season test against the Kiwis at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, won 30–12 by the Kiwis.