Matthew Fuller played premiership football at five clubs, it’s as a rugged dummy-half mainstay for Western Reds with a nose for the try-line that he is best remembered. Big League caught up with the former Australian Schoolboys rep.
MATT, AFTER HANGING UP THE BOOTS YOU RETURNED TO PERTH – YOUR OLD STOMPING GROUND WITH WESTERN REDS – AND HAVE BECOME A HIGH RESPECTED FIGURE IN THE WA FITNESS INDUSTRY. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THAT JOURNEY?
In 2000, I set up Fuller Fitness – a gym and personal training studio in the western suburbs of Perth. Over the years I have mentored over 20,000 personal training clients. Having had a passion for health and fitness, I have been able to educate and empower clients and the community to have a better lifestyle through physical and mental wellbeing. During this time I have completed personal physical 24-hour fitness challenges that have raised over $2 million dollars for the sick kids of WA through our premier Perth charity, Telethon.
CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH YOUR PATH TO BECOMING GRADED WITH THE BULLDOGS, AND YOUR MEMORIES PLAYING UNDER PHIL GOULD AND CHRIS ANDERSON AS YOU GOT A TASTE OF FIRST GRADE?
My junior clubs were Canley Heights Dragons, Minto Bulldogs and Eaglevale St Andrews. In 1985 I made the under-15s Australian Schoolboys and was offered a scholarship to St Gregory’s College Campbelltown by Canterbury Bulldogs’ scout, Peter Mulholland. Through this scholarship, I was then contracted to the Bulldogs. (Note: Fuller represented the full Australian Schoolboys team in 1987 and ’88).
Going to the Bulldogs in the late-eighties was certainly an eye-opener. I was excited, young and enthusiastic. Walking around the club and seeing so many legends who I could learn from was inspiring. Making my first-grade debut in ’89 after playing in all three grades on that day is something I will never forget. I had three seasons with the Bulldogs, and under Phil Gould and Chris Anderson I learnt how to look at my game constructively, my work ethic and what it means to be a professional rugby league player.
In ‘91, I was fortunate to be part of the Bulldogs’ [President’s Cup] team that won the grand final, coached by the late Geoff Robinson. Most of this talented squad formed the Bulldogs’ 1995 first-grade premiership-winning team, captained by the great Terry Lamb.
AGAIN YOU WERE ON THE FRINGES OF FIRST GRADE AT ST GEORGE IN 1992 – HOW WAS YOUR YEAR WTH THE DRAGONS, GIVEN IT WAS A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ONE FOR THE CLUB?
1992 was a tough year. When negotiations broke down with the Roosters at the end of ’91, I found myself without a club. Brian Smith gave me the opportunity under his very tough coaching style to join the Dragons. I learnt a lot under Smith and Rod Reddy but there was limited opportunity to break into first grade with such a strong existing team that played in that year’s grand final against the Broncos. I was offered a contract by Smith at the end of ’92 to stay at the Dragons – for zero dollars – which I did not accept. And that was the end of that.
MOVING TO SOUTH SYDNEY IN 1993 PROVIDED A BIT FO A BREAKTHROUGH FOR YOU WITH 15 FIRST-GRADE APPEARANCES. IT WASN’T A GREAT YEAR RESULTS-WISE BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY SATISFYING?
I loved playing for the Rabbitohs and my hard work on and off the field was being repaid by coach Frank Curry. I was a regular first grader and loved being around the playing group. It was a tough season but this was the year I felt I grew as a footballer until injury struck. Towards the end of the season, ironically a game versus the Bulldogs, I broke my eye socket and cheekbone.
I honestly thought that this would be the last club I would ever play for until I received a phone call from the late Peter Mulholland – the Bulldogs scout and my former St Gregory’s College Campbelltown first team coach – telling me he wanted me with him in the newly appointed Western Reds team for 1995. The offer for me was too good to refuse.
YOU HAD A FULL ENGLISH SEASON WITH WAKEFIELD TRINITY IN THE 1993/94 WINTER. WAS THAT ALWAYS THE PLAN OR WAS THERE NO WINFIELD CUP CONTRACT FOR YOU IN 1994?
After signing with the Western Reds in late-’93, and believing that it was done so with discretion and in confidence, I may have a been a little bit naïve. An article in the Daily Telegraph newspaper stated the likely starting team for the new franchise and my name was listed as the likely starting hooker. As I only had a one-year contract with the Rabbitohs, I quickly found myself on a plane to play the winter with Wakefield Trinity, in preparation for joining the Western Reds.
THE REDS ARUGABLY EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN THEIR INITIAL YEAR IN ’95 – AND YOU WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT. BUT THE CLUB BECAME VICTIMS OF THE SUPER LEAGUE WAR FALLOUT…WAS THAT HARD TO TAKE GIVEN THE FOUNDATION YOURSELF AND OTHERS HAD LAID IN PERTH?
With my association with Peter Mulholland, the belief he instilled in me and the experience I had gained with the previous clubs, I was offered a three-year contract. I felt that the Reds’ number nine jersey was mine to lose.
After being offered some type of stability with that contract, I then went about my business of cementing my spot through hard work and determination to succeed. That first year was incredible. With the team that Mulholland assembled, we won 11 out of 22 games. I scored 10 tries in the regular season and played every one of the 22 matches, which is something I am very proud of. When the Super League war struck, I found it gut-wrenching to be facing an uncertain future once again. I honestly believe and have always stated that the Western Reds would have still been in the NRL today if it wasn’t for Super League.
I believe we had a great side, filled with different characters and different levels of experience. I truly felt I belonged and believe I repaid Mulholland’s faith in me. Looking back now they were great times and memories shared with great blokes in an incredible era of rugby league. Having the honour of holding the most first-grade games played for this club is a privilege.
THERE WAS A SURPRISINGLY HIGH NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO FEATURED IN ALL THREE OF THE REDS’ SEASONS. WAS THERE A STRONG BOND BETWEEN THAT CORE GROUP?
There was a very strong bond between the core group and this team was incredibly close both on and off the field. Being in a state dominated by AFL, the playing group wasn’t in the public eye as much as the eastern states players and we could relax a little bit more. We were basically one big family, who to this day, as we approach our 30-year reunion, still keep in contact.
We had a lot of great personalities but it is hard to go past my roommate of three years – the big ‘MG’, Mark Geyer – a large-than-life character who never failed to entertain both on and off the field.
SO MANY OF THE REDS’ 1997 PLAYERS ENDED UP IN MELBOURNE STORM’S INAUGURAL SQUAD – BUT YOU WENT BACK TO WAKEFIELD. HOW DID THAT MOVE UNFOLD?
I was approached by Wakefield Trinity at the end of ’97 by coach Andy Kelly. I had really enjoyed my first stint with Wakefield in ’93/94 and had become close to a local family who had taken me in as their own. I was offered the opportunity to captain this great club, alongside fellow Australian players Roger Kenworthy and Garen Casey. I didn’t hesitate to return. We had an unbelievably successful season, winning the [Division One grand final] against Featherstone Rovers and getting the club promoted to Super League was certainly rewarding.
YOU WERE A MAINSTAY FOR A MAGPIES SIDE THAT BROKE A COUPLE OF UNWANTED RECORDS AS 1999 WOODEN SPOONERS AND HAD THE NRL’S AXE HANGING OVER THEM ALL YEAR…BUT WAS IT AN ENJOYABLE CAMPAIGN UNDER TOMMY RAUDONIKIS?
After winning [Division One] and being offered a contract to go to Super League with Wakefield Trinity in the 1999 season, I felt there was still a burning desire to play over a 100 first-grade games of rugby league (in Australia) that I had yet to achieve. Western Suburbs Magpies came knocking and the opportunity to obtain that shortfall of games to reach my milestone was a challenge I eagerly accepted – although Tommy had told me I would not be playing hooker, rather I would be playing second-row or front-row.
I had told Tommy I would play anywhere he put me for the team. The ’99 season was difficult to say the least – only winning three games all year. I loved playing under Tommy Raudonikis, one of the game’s hardest and most-loved characters. He had the ability to turn a lot of our losses into wins at the pub after matches. Under Tommy, I was able to achieve a boyhood dream of playing over 100 first-grade games. I am humbled and so grateful for the lessons and resilience I learnt through my clubs, coaches and teammates throughout my rugby league career.
YOU WERE STILL ONLY 29 AT THE END OF THAT SEASON WITH THE MAGPIES. WAS THE DECISION TO STOP PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY YOURS?
After the ’99 season, once again I found myself at a club with no future certainty and no contract. I was asked by a great mate to captain the Sydney Bulls’ inaugural team [in the Metropolitan Cup], under former Wests coach Steve Ghosn. It was a fantastic season. I was fortunate enough to get the first-grade player of the year, but after one year I knew mentally and physically my time was up and I headed back to Perth.
HAVE YOU HAD MUCH INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL GRASSGROOTS RUGBY LEAUGE SINCE RETURNING TO WA?
Although I keep a close eye on it, I haven’t been directly involved. Being a father of two children who play soccer and netball, my weekends are dedicated to supporting Lachy and Trinity. But I still have a high involvement in rugby league since retiring through the media here, doing previews, reviews and special commentary, particularly when the NRL comes to town.
PERTH BEARS’ ADMISSION TO THE NRL MUST BE INCREDIBLY EXCITING FOR A WESTERN REDS GREAT WHO STILL RESIDES IN THE CITY THOUGH?
This is super exciting for WA. I honestly believe this franchise will be a powerhouse in years to come. WA has a great lifestyle and will ultimately attract quality players to the Perth Bears. Over the years, the WARL has done a fantastic job in keeping the dream and spirit of a new team alive and through our current Premier, Roger Cook, our dream became reality.
Now we have a direct pathway for our younger generation to play professional rugby league. With this opportunity you will see so many more young kids playing our great game, which will only help to strengthen and grow rugby league in this state. I’m excited to be part of this new era of rugby league in Perth.
DATE OF BIRTH
30 January, 1971
CURRENT AGE
54
BIRTHPLACE
Fairfield, Sydney, NSW
POSITION
Hooker, Second-row, Lock
PLAYING HISTORY
1989-91: Canterbury Bulldogs
1992: St George Dragons
1993: South Sydney Rabbitohs
1993-94, 1998: Wakefield Trinity
1999: Western Suburbs Magpies
JUNIOR CLUB
Canley Heights Dragons, Minto Bulldogs and Eaglevale St Andrews
TOTAL MATCHES
*Australian premiership matches
104
TRIES | POINTS
15 | 60
