Son to go one step further in father’s footsteps
AUSTRALIAN RULES: Scott Matthews had a brief stint training with the Brisbane Bears in the off season about 27 years ago before deciding the Police Academy was for him.
Now his son Tom, 17, is following in his dad’s footsteps and next year hopes to take his football career one step further and get drafted into the AFL.
Tom has been part of the Brisbane Lions Academy since he was 11 years old and last year his family made the decision to pack up and move from Dalby to Brisbane.
“There is a lot more opportunity,” Scott said.
“Being out in the country is a lot harder for him, if you’re going to get the full benefits I think you have to make the move to Brisbane.”
Scott said he and his wife, Tanya, could see Tom had the potential to reach all of his goals.
“I don’t think, without going to Brisbane and being able to attend each training session, he was going to reach his full potential,” he said.
A year later Scott said the move had already paid off and Tom was more focussed than ever on cracking into the AFL after getting the opportunity to train with the Lions senior squad.
“It has been footy all his life,” Scott said.
“I told him he still has 12 months of hard work.”
Tom said he had always wanted to play AFL after growing up watching his dad play.
“Dad was pretty good at footy and chose the police,” he said.
So Tom decided to follow in his dad’s footsteps.
“He keeps saying he’s better but I don’t believe it,” Tom laughed.
“I think he is pretty happy with where I’m at at the moment.
“That’s got to be a good sign when your parents are happy.”