Geelong mourns oldest living Cat
ALEX Mathieson’s on-field career may have lasted less than two months but he was a lasting figure at the Geelong Football Club as its oldest living past player, until his death on Friday.
A product of local club Newtown & Chilwell, Mathieson’s career with the Cats started with a bang when he kicked a goal with his first kick on VFL debut in round 5, 1944 against Essendon.
He made his debut at the age of 23 in the No. 31 jumper and his career would last only 42 days and seven games, all losses, before the World
War II intervened.
Mathieson served in Papua New Guinea and battled a bout of malaria on his return.
Mathieson lived to his 101st birthday on Wednesday before passing away peacefully on Friday in Melbourne.
The Cats wore black arm bands in his honour in their round 9 match against St
Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
“The club offers its heartfelt condolences to
Alex’s family and friends,” Geelong wrote on the club website.
“Rest peacefully, Alex.” In an interview with the club’s website last year to celebrate his 100th birthday last year, Mathieson fondly recalled his dream start and first goal on debut.
It would remain his only goal.
“When I ran on the ground,
I was on a half-forward flank where I had never played any football,” he said.
“The ball was in our forward line five minutes into the game, (Elton) ‘Duffy’ Plummer was playing in the back pocket for (Essendon), he got the ball and came racing out and I grabbed him about 48 yards out from goal holding the ball and got my first kick.
“I (then) lined up for goal and kicked the goal.
“At quarter-time they moved me to centre halfback.”
Mathieson kept fit well into his 90s and kept up with ballroom dancing and heading to the gym twice a week.
He remained an avid watcher of the Cats throughout his life and named current skipper Joel Selwood as his favourite player in 2014.