Born Wagin, WA
3 April 1969
Peter Matera enjoyed a celebrated 253-game career at West Coast but there was one match that stands alone.
In the 1992 grand final coach Mick Malthouse played Matera on the same wing for the entire game because it was the dry side of the MCG after rain the previous few days had made some sections of the turf slippery and heavy underfoot.
While Chris Mainwaring was given the task of churning through the bog on the other side, Matera starred in the match against Geelong, kicking five goals and earning the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in West Coast’s first premiership.
The West Coast defenders continually played through Matera because of his blistering pace and exquisite skills. His blazing goal in the third term from outside the 50m remains one of the all-time highlights for the club.
Few players in the league could set a game alight like Matera. His evasive ability and turn of speed were eye-catching ingredients in his game and he is generally regarded as the best wingman of his generation.
Matera played many fine games on a wing for the Eagles but he was moved to half-back later in his career, using his explosive pace and skill to set up play for his forwards.
While Ross Glendinning is a member of the Hall of Champions after playing 190 games with North Melbourne and 40 with West Coast, Matera is the first Eagle to have played his entire career at the Eagles to be inducted.
Matera won selection in five all-Australian teams – three as a wingman and two as an attacking half-back. And, despite winning only one best and fairest for West Coast (1997), such was the competition within the Eagles ranks, Matera featured prominently on Brownlow Medal night.
In 1994, his total of 28 votes – two shy of winner Greg Williams – is the highest number of votes never to win the medal, aside from the 1976-77 seasons when two umpires voted.