Matthew Kreuzer is in the best form of his career and wants to be a one-club player

MATTHEW Kreuzer is putting together the best season of his 10-year career and he’s keen to repay the faith Carlton has shown in him by playing all his AFL footy in the navy blue.

ENCAPSULATE Matthew Kreuzer’s style of play in one expression and the word that comes to mind is grunt.

A big tractor churning along clearing a path through all that lies in its way.

As it turns out, Kreuzer works like he plays.

If he isn’t to be found quietly putting together the best season of his career, the 28-year-old will be out mucking around on huge earthmoving rigs.

Kreuzer is a fan of fast bikes — both the Tour de France and MotoGP variety — but is setting up a more humble post-footy career.

“I am doing a bit of earthmoving, that will be my go I am doing a course in it and a work placement. I have got all my tickets and I just loving getting out there on my day off,’’ he said this week.

“I have been on a couple of 30 tonne excavators and that was nice. The bigger the better. We are doing some subdivision work — moving dirt, digging trenches for drainage.

Matthew Kreuzer wants to be a one-club player. Picture: David Caird

“Who knows what is going to happen but I would love to have my own business. It’s such a big field, so you can branch off into a few different things. I would love to do something in that area.”

That field of business won’t surprise many who have grown to love Kreuzer, a down to earth customer who still lives close to family and friends in the north-east.

He might be preparing for life after footy but he isn’t going anywhere yet.

Certainly not from Carlton, with the unrestricted free agent adamant he wants to stay at the Blues next year.

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He isn’t in any hurry to depart the AFL scene either, as he puts together one of the best seasons of his decade-long AFL career.

Even last year when he managed 21 games he only averaged a shade over 10 possessions and kicked just seven goals.

This year the sight of Kreuzer helping win his midfield a clearance then surging forward to create an option has been repeated over and again.

On Sunday he plays his 150th game against Greater Western Sydney, yet another whom he knocked back a big-money offer from.

Matthew Kreuzer is putting together a career-best season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“It’s always nice when these things come around,’’ he says.

“I am normally looking forward from week to week but my family will all be there and they have been a big support to me these last 10 years.

“I was telling someone the other day that in my first week at Carlton someone said to me to make the most of your career because it goes that quick.

“I said, ‘No it won’t,’ but 10 years on I felt like I arrived here yesterday. It definitely goes quickly.”

As for that career-best-season tag, Kreuzer won’t buy in.

“I am not sure. I think I have had some similar years, but I have been consistent and it’s something I have worked on.

“It’s just nice playing with the young boys who are so exciting and have lots of energy.”

The litany of injuries that have hampered him through his career — and saw a trade to Collingwood aborted in late 2015 — mean he is always handled with care.

But this year he and the medical staff have nailed their approach, mixing managed time on the track with a methodical pre-season.

Matthew Kreuzer will play his 150th game on Sunday. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Over summer he gets on his road bike and hits the hills around Kinglake to build endurance for repeat sprint sessions, fuelling his love of Europe’s grand tours.

This year he has worked hard to develop his overhead marking during repetitive drills with coaches John Barker, Sav Rocca and Matthew Capuano.

Having missed only two games since the start of his new contract he will hit a trigger clause to activate another season at the Blues.

But happy with wife Coby just a 20 minute commute away — and still living close to parents Margaret and Frank — he isn’t going anywhere.

“It’s only the middle of the year and I am just concentrating on my footy. I love the club so that will take care of itself in time.”

Does he want to remain a one-club player?

“Yeah, definitely. It’s always something nice to achieve. They give you an opportunity when you are so young and I have made so many mates here with the players and staff.

“I love the history of the club and the people involved are really good. Being a Melbourne boy, my family and everyone is close by so it’s nice to still be around here.”