Matt Suckling
| Matt Suckling | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth | 25 July 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Wagga Wagga, New South Wales | ||
| Original team(s) |
East Wagga-Kooringal (Riverina Football League) Wagga Tigers (AFL Canberra) |
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| Draft | No. 81, 2009 AFL Rookie Draft | ||
| Height / weight | 186cm / 82 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Western Bulldogs | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2009–2015 | Hawthorn | 102 (51) | |
| 2016– | Western Bulldogs | 17 (7) | |
| Total | 119 (58) | ||
| International team honours | |||
| Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
| 2011 | Australia | 2 (0) | |
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2016.
2 State and international statistics correct as of 2011.
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| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Matt Suckling (born 25 July 1988) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). Suckling is known as a player with precision kicking and link-up play from Hawthorn's defence. Characteristic of his style of play is his very long range, very accurate kicking.
Hailing from Wagga Wagga, Suckling played football with Isaac Smith in the Wagga Hawks for several years before both moved to the Wagga Tigers where they won two premierships.
First drafted by the club at pick 22 in the 2007 Rookie Draft. He was struck down by osteitis pubis for most of 2007 but was retained on the rookie list for 2008. Suckling was redrafted to Hawthorn's rookie list by the club at pick 81 in the 2009 Rookie Draft.
He should not be confused with another "Matthew Suckling" - although Hawthorn themselves nearly made this mistake at the 2009 rookie draft when:
"On the day Hawthorn redrafted him as had been arranged, the recruiter read out the wrong registration number at the rookie draft, momentarily selecting another Matt Suckling, Sandringham Dragons' best-and-fairest player in the under-18 competition." Kicking back
He was then finally drafted to Hawthorn's senior list with pick 70 in the 2009 AFL Draft.
He made his debut for Hawthorn in the opening round of the 2009 AFL season in the rematch of the 2008 AFL Grand Final against Geelong. The 20-year-old defender was one of three Hawks playing their first game in the MCG blockbuster. Omitted the next week because of injury, Suckling was unable to break back into the side; he was listed as an emergency later in the year. In 2010 he played five games, and was on the verge of selection for most of the season.
2011 was a breakthrough year for Suckling; with his precision kicking and link-up play he became a key to Hawthorn's defence. Characteristic of his style of play is his very long range, very accurate kicking.
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