Premiership Hawk to continue career in amateurs

Former Hawk and Bulldog Matt Suckling’s long bombs will be seen in the VAFA in 2021.

Matt Suckling in the Ormond jumper.

Make that two Hawthorn premiership players making their new footballing home at Ormond.

Three months after big Max Bailey was appointed to coach the Under 19s, the Monders announced tonight that they had secured Matt Suckling.

The left-footer with the booming kick has joined the VAFA club as a playing assistant to coach Greg Hoskin.

Suckling retired from the AFL at the end of last season, bowing out after 178 appearances.

The last 76 were with the Doggies, whom he joined in 2016.

Matthew Suckling launching for the Bulldogs. Pic: Michael Klein

He did not play in the drought-busting premiership, but he did figure in Hawthorn’s 2014 and ’15 flags.

Suckling played 102 games for the Hawks after getting a debut in 2009.

He has been linked with Ormond since before Christmas, and president Richard Simon said the club was “thrilled’’ to land him.

“Matt is looking forward to returning to a district footy club, an environment with which he has fond memories from his early football days in Wagga Wagga before being recruited into the AFL,’’ Simon said.

“Matt will also be an assistant coach, and his knowledge, skills and behaviours will be important and valuable additions for the senior playing group.

“We can’t wait to see Matt execute his long left-foot bombs at EE Gunn Reserve in 2021.’’

Suckling kicked 85 goals, regularly from long range, during his AFL career.

Hoskin, a three-time premiership coach at Fish Creek, was appointed at the end of 2019.