Matthew Spence Explained

Matthew Spence
Birth Date:7 April 1976
Birth Place:Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Height:191cm (75inches)
Weight:98kg (216lb)
Club1:Parramatta Eels
Year1start:1995
Year1end:98
Appearances1:35
Tries1:4
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:16
Club2:Western Suburbs
Year2start:1999
Appearances2:15
Tries2:1
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:4
Club3:Auckland Warriors
Year3start:2000
Appearances3:18
Tries3:3
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:12
Retired:yes
Updated:3 December 2008
Source:RLP

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.

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]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/player.aspx?id=440&teamID=4 Matthew Spence
  2. News: Rugby League: Warriors recruit can't wait. Jessup, Peter. 28 August 1999. The New Zealand Herald. 22 October 2011.
  3. http://www.parraeels.com.au/supporters/honourroll.shtml Honour Roll
  4. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7235/is_/ai_n30719232 RL: Spence only Wests player to test positive: officials
  5. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7235/is_/ai_n30719306 RL: League still waiting for more info from ASDA
  6. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-21440012.html RL: NRL awaiting full ASDA report on Spence
  7. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-21458096.html RL: Drugs tribunal gives Spence seven week ban
  8. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SP0003/S00018.htm Backs To The Future - by Richard Becht
  9. https://archive.today/20120913033859/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=15810 Waicoa Bay Premiership 2003 Season Preview
  10. http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/sport/news/star-spence-in-roving-dambusters-role/3901266/ Star Spence in roving Dambusters role