Mathey (x2) to Mandurah!

Two brothers from Wodonga (Victoria) will call Mandurah home in 2025. Both brothers have plied their football trade with Wodonga bulldogs in the Ovens & Murray FNL, in what’s widely regarded as Australia’s strongest country football league.

Josh Mathey (21), an inside midfielder, already holds 3 best and fairest awards with Wodonga Bulldogs and represented Collingwood in the VFL in 2024. Josh is widely known for his competitiveness, ability to accumulate the football and cleanliness under pressure.

Jack Mathey (19), comes off a promising season playing Senior football with Wodonga, where he performed strongly as a forward midfielder.

Sam Skinner, Peel Thunder GM Football Operations shared an insight into Jack and Josh’s journey to Peel Thunder.

“Both Josh and Jack are two quality people and natural footballers, simply love their football and suit the environment we have built at Peel Thunder.

The Ovens & Murray FNL is a quality league, Josh has one of the best current football CV’s in that competition, for his age and position. Like Josh, Jack is a competitor and will not shy away from a contest. I believe he has plenty of untapped potential.

With Josh - What stands tall, is his football journey and how stepped up from setbacks. He didn’t make Talent programs, instead he steeled himself to play Senior football at his home club Wodonga. Now 21, he has 3 best & fairest awards and broke into a VFL program last year. He would get-up at 4am for work as a plumber to complete a full-days’ (wake-up early to give himself enough time to leave early for training), drive 3-hours to Collingwood training, 3-hours back home, get home at 11pm and then wake up for work the next day.”

LEARN ABOUT THE MATHEY BROTHERS

What excited us about playing for Peel Thunder

“The thing that excited us when we came over was the feel of the club, a country footy feel while still being super professional. It felt like our home club straight away. The opportunity to play for the reigning Premier and hopefully make an impact is really exciting.  The other thing we noticed straight away was how much the people care about the club, as well as how welcoming and nice the people were.”

What are your goals for this year?

JOSH - “My goal is to consistently play league footy and make a positive impact on the club. Hopefully I can be a leader and help us go deep into finals again.”

JACK - “My goals are to play good consistent footy and hopefully push up and play some reserves or seniors.”

How would you describe your playing style?

JOSH – “I’m an inside mid that loves the contest and the hard stuff, can go forward and love kicking a goal followed by a good celebration. Strengths are clearance and contested ball.“

JACK - “I can play inside or outside mid and am also a good target at half forward.”

How does it feel to come across together?

“To be able to jump at an opportunity like this and attack it with my brother is something that’s really special. Jack and I are best mates and we are super close so to be able to move away with Jack and my partner Georgia is an extremely exciting chapter in our lives.”