Matt Dalton 1982 - 1998
Matt started playing football in 1990 in the Under 10's for the Hayfield Football Club in Gippsland, where he played for six and a half seasons. During his time at Heyfield, Matt played in 3 final series. He was a member of the Under 11's Premiership team in 1992, and in 1995 played in the Grand Final as part of the runners-up team. Matt consistently polled in the top 5 in the clubs Best and Fairest, with his best finish being 3rd place, he was very proud of this achievement. He won the club goal kicking award in 1995 playing as a rover.
In 1996, half way through the season, Matt's family moved to Hampton Park. The day they arrived in Hampton Park, he asked to be taken to the nearest Football Club. "Because I'm going to play Football." So in 1996, half way through the season, he joined the Hampton Park Junior Football Club, Under 14's. Matt's first game with the team, his coach, Paul Collette, saw fit to award him the Best on Ground. After just half a season with the Under 14's, Matt had become very popular amongst his teammates, both on and off the field, as a great player, and a great friend.
In 1997, his coach, Rodney Brookes and his peers elected Matt as DVC, after only half a season with the club, he felt this was a great honour. Later the same year he represented the HPJFC in Under 15's interleague team. Matt also filled in for the Under 16's and the Under 18's. In the same year, the Under 15's were runners-up in the Grand Final.
In 1998, Matt was elected as co-captain of the Under 16's, he accepted this with great pride and decided to lead by example. He started training early and encouraged his teammates to join him.
Matt was playing the best football of his short career when he was tragically taken from all of us in 1998. Although that year he only played 3 games, he finished 7th in the Best and Fairest. At Matt's funeral, in excess of 500 people gathered to celebrate his life and mourn his passing, a testament to his family of his popularity.
Soon after the HPJFC approached Matt's family and asked if the Best and Fairest medal for the Under 16's could be named after him. This honours us, Matt's family and we thank the club for this award.
So in short, the message from his family is, Play the game we all love. Play hard, play fair, and play for your mates and your club. Play our great game with pride. Individual awards are great, but they are the bonuses that some players will receive along the way. As you get older, you will look back and think to yourselves that playing football gave you some of the best times you have had. You will make some close and valuable friends. Football friends are often friends for life.
Steve and Keryne Dalton.
Last Modified on 13/09/2011 10:08
