Matthew Spence

Matthew Spence (born 7 April 1976) is a former professional rugby league footballer and coach. His position of preference was in the second row, although he also played as prop occasionally.

Matthew Spence
Personal information
Born (1976-04-07) 7 April 1976
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Playing information
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–98 Parramatta Eels 35 4 0 0 16
1999 Western Suburbs 15 1 0 0 4
2000 Auckland Warriors 18 3 0 0 12
Total 68 8 0 0 32
Source: RLP

Early years

Born in New Zealand, Matthew grew up playing for the Turangi Dambusters in the Bay of Plenty competition.[1]

Spence also played for the Junior Kiwis.[2]

Playing career

Spence then moved to Australia, joining the Parramatta Eels and making his first grade debut in 1995. He impressed many in his rookie season and was awarded the Eric Grothe Rookie of the Year award at Parramatta.[3] However he needed a knee reconstruction in 1997 and this injury plagued his next two seasons at the Eels.

He signed for the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1999 and looked to rebuild his career. However, before the season had started he failed a NRL drug test, testing positive for ecstasy.[4][5][6] He was the first player to be suspended under the NRL's new drug rules and received a seven-week suspension.[7]

With the Magpies merging with Balmain for the 2000 season he was forced to move clubs again and returned home to New Zealand to play for the Auckland Warriors. He was not re-signed by the new owners in 2001 and retired. When not required by the Warriors in 2000, Spence was assigned to play for the Newtown Jets.[8] He played for the Northcote Tigers in the 2002 Bartercard Cup.

Later years

In 2003 Spence was the player-coach of the new Tihoi club in the Waicoa Bay club competition.[9]

In 2009 and 2010 Spence was the player-coach for the Turangi Dambusters in the Bay of Plenty premier competition, his old junior club.[10]

References
  1. Matthew Spence rugbyleague.co.nz
  2. Jessup, Peter (28 August 1999). "Rugby League: Warriors recruit can't wait". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  3. Honour Roll Archived 2008-12-21 at the Wayback Machine parraeels.com.au
  4. RL: Spence only Wests player to test positive: officials AAP Sport, 8 February 1999
  5. RL: League still waiting for more info from ASDA AAP Sport, 9 February 1999
  6. RL: NRL awaiting full ASDA report on Spence AAP Sport, 9 February 1999
  7. RL: Drugs tribunal gives Spence seven week ban AAP Sport, 17 March 1999
  8. Backs To The Future - by Richard Becht Scoop Sport, 16 March 2000
  9. Waicoa Bay Premiership 2003 Season Preview rleague.com, 11 April 2003
  10. Star Spence in roving Dambusters role The Daily Post, 13 July 2009

Sources
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