Introduction The former first round draft pick is a highly rated modern-day ruckman who can cover ground quickly, win plenty of the ball and occasionally push forward to kick goals. At 204cm, he has exquisite skills, great mobility and blistering pace which makes him one of the most exciting young prospects in the AFL. Background • Matthew Leuenberger’s father migrated from Switzerland back in 1986 and settled in Perth. He opened a French restaurant – located only a drop punt from Subiaco Oval – and often took his son (Matthew) to watch visiting AFL teams train. • For Matthew Leuenberger, athletics and basketball were a big part of his junior sporting repertoire. However, he decided to focus on a football career because the AFL seemed more appealing than the NBL. • He was initially spotted while playing for Hale School in Year 11 and was invited to train with the U18 West Australian side. • He was later included in the East Perth Colts side and played six senior WAFL games after the U18 national championships where he had a carnival-high 61 hit outs. • He won the Mel Whinnen medal as best-on-ground in the Colts’ Grand Final before impressive further with his speed and mobility at the Draft Camp in Canberra. • After much hype, Leuenberger was drafted to the Lions with Pick No.4 in the 2006 AFL National Draft. 2007 • Leuenberger battled injury throughout much of his first AFL pre-season and was forced to miss the entire NAB Cup competition. • He eventually returned to the field for the Lions Reserves side where he began dominating matches playing a mixture of roles both in the ruck and up forward. • He earned a senior call-up for the Lions’ Round 14 clash against West Coast in the familiar surrounds of Subiaco. Opposed to arguably the AFL’s premiere ruckman Dean Cox, Leuenberger battled manfully as the Lions secured an upset win over the reigning premiers. • Leuenberger held his spot in the senior team as Jamie Charman’s back-up for the remaining nine matches – an amazing feat for a developing teenage ruckman. • The finest performance of his debut season came in Round 20 against Sydney at the Gabba. With Charman out injured, Leuenberger went head-to-head with experienced Sydney ruck duo Darren Jolly and Peter Everitt and took the honours in a thrilling draw. He was desperately unlucky not to receive an AFL Rising Star nomination for his 15 disposal effort. 2008 • Following the trading of Cameron Wood to Collingwood and the shock retirement of premiership ruckman Beau McDonald during the off-season, Leuenberger quickly became an important part of the Lions team. • He began the season in the seniors and once again stood up when senior ruckman Jamie Charman missed through injury against Port Adelaide in Round 4. • He was the youngest player selected in the AFL’s 150-year Hall of Fame Tribute Match’s initial squad. However, he was not chosen in the final All-Stars team. • He was later relegated to the Lions Reserves when the Club chose to play key forward Mitch Clark in the ruck. • He returned to the senior team only to injure his knee against Essendon at Telstra Dome in Round 15. The injury required surgery which forced the young ruckman to miss the reminder of the season. • Leuenberger’s 10 senior matches in 2008 took his career total to 19.2008 • After a full pre-season which saw Leuenberger add considerable size to his 204cm frame, the West Australian began the 2009 home-and-away season as the team's number one ruck option.� • He played three matches before tearing the lateral meniscus in his knee which required surgery and approximately three months on the sidelines. • Further complications arose when Leuenberger suffered a post-operation staph infection which made him incredibly ill and delayed his recovery. • After losing more than 10kg because of the infection, Leuenberger returned to Brisbane and commenced his recovery. Despite being considered unlikely to return in 2009, he remained committed to making it back in time for the AFL Finals. • He remarkably returned to the Lions Reserves late in the season but after two match hit-outs in the Reserves, his knee did not respond ideally. He therefore was not considered for the Lions' Finals campaign.
Matthew Leuenberger shares his thoughts with Lions fansWednesday, July 14, 2010 - 3:48PM
Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger answers 20 quick questions.Friday, July 02, 2010 - 5:14PM
The Club only gets one or two games per year when the entire footy world’s eyes are on us.Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - 3:04PM
Matthew Leuenberger speaks with fellow ruckman Bart McCullochThursday, June 10, 2010 - 5:09PM
Matthew LeuenbergerFriday, May 28, 2010 - 6:41PM
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