MATERA’S MOVE WEST TO JOIN THE DOCKERS AN EASY CHOICE
FORMER Gold Coast Suns forward Brandon Matera says it was an easy decision to join the Dockers, even though his uncle Phil wanted him to join West Coast.
The Dockers secured pick No.2 and Matera from Gold Coast in exchange for Lachie Weller, pick No.41 and a future third-round pick.
The Matera name is synonymous at West Coast.
Brandon’s dad Wally played 24 games for West Coast from 1987-88.
His uncles Phil and Peter took the fame to a whole new level. Peter Matera played 253 games for West Coast in a stint that included two premierships and a Norm Smith medal.
Phil Matera notched 179 games and kicked 389 goals the fourth most in the club’s history. But when Brandon Matera indicated earlier this year he wanted to head back to Perth, he said Fremantle were his only suitor.
“I didn’t speak to them,” Matera said of West Coast.
“I was happy when Fremantle called me. It was an easy decision to come here.
“(Phil) was trying to pull me to West Coast. But I said, by the end of this year, we’ll have him in a Docker jumper.
“I grew up being an Essendon supporter. I went to a lot of West Coast games to watch my uncles.”
Matera notched 101 games and booted 124 goals over seven seasons at the success-starved Suns.
The 25-year-old, who battled a foot injury last season, hoped his return to Perth would reignite his career.
Matera expects to spend most time in Fremantle’s forward line, with some stints through the midfield.
He said his dad Wally was his harshest critic.
“He’s a hard critic, but it’s good for me as well,” he said.