Career
After being part of North Melbourne"s strong Victorian Football Association (VFA) combination, Matthews had a slow start to his VFL career. He made just one appearance in his debut season, at South Melbourne, which prompted him to cross to Richmond where he added only three more matches. When the war ended he tried to make a career in the league again and lined up for Melbourne in the 1919 season, rucking regularly for them during his four years at the club
He made a return to South Melbourne in 1923, joining Roy Cazaly in the ruck and he played in a losing preliminary final.
