‘Everything and more’: Matheson reflects on Aussie gridiron debut

BENDIGO Dragons offensive lineman Felix Matheson admits the emotion of representing Australia in gridiron was beyond his wildest dreams.

The 17-year-old from Castlemaine is still on a high after donning the green and gold in a stirring 34–22 win over New Zealand in Auckland earlier this month.

Matheson earned selection following his standout performances for Victoria’s under-18 team in a three-game series against Queensland in April, which the Vics won 2–1.

It was the latest accolade in a gridiron career that is not even 12 months old.

A soccer goalkeeper for nine years, Matheson, who stands an imposing 193cm tall, only took up American football late last year, believing he had outgrown protecting the net.

In his own words: “I was getting a bit big for goalkeeping”.

His lone Gridiron Victoria season ended with him earning the league’s rookie of the year award and playing a pivotal role in the Dragons’ ascension to division two grand finalists against Northern Chargers.

As big as those thrills were, Matheson hailed his Australian team experience as like nothing he has ever encountered before.

“I’ve never even been remotely close to an experience like that,” he said.

“It was everything I thought it would be and more.

 

“I’m actually lost for words trying to explain it. It’s an experience I’ll never take for granted.

“Awesome from start to finish.

“The training camp (in Sydney) beforehand was very intense and specialised … long training days.

“We were on the field five-and-a-half hours a day, getting continuous reps in for five or six days straight.

“And then you’d throw in hydrotherapy and stretching and all types of meetings after that.

“It was pretty full-on.”

His impressive play in New Zealand further enhanced his reputation as one of the nation’s brightest gridiron prospects.

Despite his relative inexperience, Matheson more than held his own against older and more seasoned players.

“I didn’t allow any sacks on the quarterback, or tackles on our running back. That’s all I can ask for in my position,” he said.

“But as a team, I thought we played incredibly well, especially the O-line.

“I thought we all did our jobs and that’s what makes a team a team.”

While about 10 of his teammates were Victorians, Matheson was the lone country-based player, provoking some good-natured ribbing.

“I was copping it a fair bit in training camp for being from the country,” he said.

“It was all love though.

“A great bunch of guys … glad to have gone into battle with them.”

Matheson claimed the No. 57 jersey, the same number he wore with distinction during his first season with the Dragons, and also for the state team.

His performances so far for the Dragons, Victoria and Australia have attracted the interest of a couple of US colleges.

Matheson, who is in the final months of his year 12 studies at Castlemaine Secondary College, has already had one chance to impress scouts, attending an NFL-sanctioned national scouting combine in Naples, Florida, in early January.

The nation’s second-largest pro football combine, it provides draft-eligible athletes and free agents opportunities to showcase skills for scouts through verified mental and physical testing and a seven-on-seven showcase.

Approaching crunch time in his year 12 studies, Matheson has launched into preseason training with the Dragons each Wednesday night and Sunday.

He is hopeful they can go one step further this season by landing the championship.

Some of the early signs are promising.

“From what I’m aware of, the team is looking a lot better than last year in terms of numbers,” he said.

“There’s been a lot more people added to the group chat.

“It’s never a bad thing getting more bodies to training.”

No longer surprised by his ongoing rapid progression, Bendigo Dragons president Steve Bradshaw said everyone involved with the club was proud of Matheson’s achievements.

“Over the past 12 months, Felix has shown outstanding growth both on and off the field,” he said.

“His commitment to improving his game, willingness to learn and relentless work ethic have seen him develop into one of the brightest young talents in Australian gridiron.

“This opportunity is a testament to the countless hours of hard work, dedication, and determination he has put into becoming the player he is today.