Snooky to celebrate 150 game milestone

Tenacious and gutsy midfielder Matthew Snook will celebrate his 150th league game in the Good Friday clash against Adelaide. 

The beloved Tiger has been an illustrious member of the squad for many years and the Club is excited to honour his milestone in front of a home crowd.

Snook started his career at Brighton Road in the U15 development squad and first tasted success in the 2009 U18 premiership and 2010 U18 Premiership, where he was named best on ground.

Working his way into the senior ranks, he debuted in 2011 but wouldn’t become a regular feature in the League side until 2015, when he won his first Best and Fairest award. While those initial years were a struggle, fellow teammate Andrew Bradley commended Snook for his perseverance.

“To reach this milestone the way he has with Reserves footy and injuries along the way is awesome. I know there were some tough times early, so to hang in the way he has is awesome and I’m super proud to have played with him for all these years,” Bradley said.

“His consistency over the years has been phenomenal, each week and each year he continues to get it done.”

When premiership coach Mark Stone arrived at the Bay in 2018, Snook became an integral part of developing the new style of play. And despite a pre-season groin injury, he went on to achieve the ultimate glory at the drought-breaking 2019 Grand Final.

His list of accolades stretches on and the recognition is well-deserved. Highlights in his career include four Best and Fairest awards, and most famously the Jack Oatey Medal for best a-field in the 2019 Grand Final, where he collected 28 possessions, eight tackles and seven clearances in a stellar performance.

But more importantly, Snook has inspired a high level of respect and admiration from all those around him, both on and off the field. He is renowned for his tremendous courage, resilience and kind-hearted nature, and in the words of Max Proud, he’s ‘one of the best teammates we’ve ever had’.

“Just the way he goes about his footy, he epitomises everything this club stands for,”, he said.

The Club is grateful for his tremendous service and contribution for well over a decade – a commitment which earned him a Player Life Membership at the 2021 AGM in February this year.

The entire GFC community wishes Snooky all the best in his 150th game.