Matthew Ling Explained

Matthew Ling
Birth Date:21 April 1999
Birth Place:Geelong, Victoria
Originalteam:Geelong Falcons
Draftpick:No. 14, 2017 AFL draft,
Debutdate:25 July 2020
Debutstadium:Sydney Cricket Ground
Height:184 cm
Weight:79 kg
Position:Defender
Statsend:2021
Years1:2018–2021
Games Goals1:4 (0)

Matthew Ling (born 21 April 1999) is an Australian rules footballer who played for the Sydney Swans in Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by Sydney Swans with the 14th draft pick in the 2017 AFL draft.[1] [2] After his release from the Swans at the conclusion of the 2021 season, Ling returned to the area he was drafted from to play for Geelong VFL.

Early football

Ling played for the Geelong Falcons in the NAB League for two seasons, picking up 250 disposals in total for the second season, where he played 14 games.[3] He also played for Vic Country in the AFL Under 18 Championships for the 2017 season.[4] [5]

AFL career

After an injury-plagued first two years which saw Ling limited to just 16 games in the NEAFL for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Ling debuted in the 8th round of the 2020 AFL season, against the Hawthorn Football Club.[6] [7] Ling picked up 10 disposals, 3 marks and 2 tackles on his debut.[8] Ling was delisted by the Swans at the conclusion of the 2021 season.[9]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of 2021[10] |- style="background-color: #eaeaea"! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018| || 19 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019| || 19 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2020|style="text-align:center;"|| 19 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 20 || 6 || 26 || 5 || 2 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 6.7 || 2.0 || 8.7 || 1.7 || 0.7|- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2021| || 19 || 1 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —|- style="background:#EAEAEA; font-weight:bold; width:2em"| scope="row" text-align:center class="sortbottom" colspan=3 | Career| 4| 0| 0| 20| 6| 26| 5| 2| 0.0| 0.0| 6.7| 2.0| 8.7| 1.7| 0.7|}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matthew Ling. Footywire. 19 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Draft Wrap: Ring-a-ding-Ling. 24 November 2017. Sydney Swans FC Media. 19 August 2020.
  3. Web site: Matthew Ling. Aussie Rules Draft Central. 19 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Draft pick beckons but focus on Falcons flag. Geelong Advertiser. 19 August 2020.
  5. Web site: Pick 14: Matthew Ling. Sydney Swans FC Media. 19 August 2020. 24 November 2017.
  6. Web site: Three years on, Swans' forgotten first-round pick will debut. Pegan. Martin. 24 July 2020. AFL Media. 19 August 2020.
  7. Web site: 'Perseverance and resilience': Long wait over for Swans top pick Ling. 24 July 2020. Wu. Andrew. The Age. 19 August 2020.
  8. Web site: Round 8 • Sydney Swans v Hawthorn - Player Stats. AFL. 19 August 2020.
  9. Web site: Swans quartet commit. Sydney Swans Media. 18 September 2021. 17 September 2021.
  10. Web site: Matthew Ling. AFL Tables. 9 November 2020.