Hope Valley Football Club star Matthew Min leads Adelaide Footy League goalkickers
He doesn’t train with his team but this Hope Valley spearhead has kicked more goals than any other player in the Adelaide Footy League this season. Now, a grand final is on the cards.
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Hope Valley Football Club’s Matthew Min appears to have the formula to his outstanding 62 goals kicked in the Adelaide Footy League division four competition this season – don’t train with the team.
Min, 28, topped all competitions within the league, kicking 53 goals in eight minor rounds and nine goals in two finals.
He will now look to help the Demons to back-to-back flags when they take on Walkerville in the fourth tier’s grand final at Woodville Oval this Saturday.
But he has done that while living and working as a teacher at Catholic primary school St Josephs in Barmera, travelling to Hope Valley games only on match days.
Min was supposed to line up again at Barmera, where he has played in recent seasons.
But when the Riverland Football League competition was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Min was persuaded by some mates with Hope Valley connections to have a go with the Demons – a club he played juniors at about 15 years ago.
“It’s worked out really well and my teammates and the club have been great,’’ Min said.
“I always envisaged going back (Hope Valley) but wasn’t expecting it to be this year.
“I have been holding training sessions in Barmera for about a dozen players which has been a regular thing and that has worked out well.’’
Min has kicked goals in each game with a season-high 14 majors against Pulteney and his lowest tally being two goals against Walkerville.
His final game for the season will be in the grand final on September 26.
Hope Valley footy director Neil Shurven said Min had been an outstanding contributor to the club.
“He’s a fantastic lad, I can’t talk high enough of his involvement with the team,’’ Shurven said.
“On the ground he just runs and runs, he’s a good mark and a very good kick but his workrate is fantastic.’’