BIO

Geoff Matthews was born on the 19th February 1948 and attended Payneham Primary School and Campbelltown High School where he was given the nickname “Jumbo”, a moniker he inherited from his uncle and former Norwood ruckman, Eric 'Jumbo' Matthews

After leaving school, Geoff played junior football with Athelstone in 1963 and Maylands Methodist in 1964 which was coached by his uncle Eric.

In 1965 he joined Norwood and was a member of the junior colts premiership team. After one year with the colts he progressed to the thirds where he played 13 games in 1966. Having joined SA Police, Geoff found that he was also called up to play for the police team. 

Tall and solidly built, Geoff made his one league appearance in 1969 when he was promoted from the reserves to lead the second ruck against South Adelaide on 12 April at Adelaide Oval. Somewhat surprisingly, he was dropped the following week after newspaper reports indicated he had played “serviceably” and noted that his style was "very similar to his uncle’s”

Geoff played nine reserves games with Norwood from 1969 to 1970, interspersed with occasional appearances with the Payneham FC and the SA Police team.

After leaving Norwood, Geoff’s playing career, and transfers with the police force, saw him representing a number of local amateur league football clubs including Kilburn, Athelstone and Walkerville. At Kilburn he won the best and fairest award in 1972 and was selected in the State amateur league training squad to play in Tasmania, but did not make the final side.

In 1977 he was transferred with the Police CIB to Murray Bridge and was appointed coach of the Jervois FC in 1978 and the following year joined the Imperial FC as a selector, bringing to an end a colourful and varied football career.