Don Mattson
Australian rules footballer (1955–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donald Leslie Mattson (30 October 1955 – 2 April 2025) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond and Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
| Don Mattson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Donald Leslie Mattson | ||
| Born | 30 October 1955 | ||
| Died | 2 April 2025 (aged 69) | ||
| Original teams | Chiltern (OKFL), Albury | ||
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 91 kg (201 lb) | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1976 | Richmond | 7 (0) | |
| 1977 | Essendon | 1 (0) | |
| Total | 8 (0) | ||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Biography
Mattson, originally from Chiltern in the Ovens & King Football League, started his VFL career at North Melbourne.[1][2]
At North Melbourne he played only at reserves level, then was traded to Richmond for Bill Nettlefold and made seven senior appearances for his new club in the 1976 season.[1][3][4]
This was followed by a season with Essendon in 1977, when he played one league game, which was a draw with Richmond at Waverley Park.[4] He came on as a reserve in that game, which is best remembered for Tim Watson making his debut, aged just 15.[5]
In 1978 he continued his career in Sydney, with Newtown[6] and represented NSW at the 1978 Country Football Championships in Wagga Wagga.[7]
Mattson died on 2 April 2025, at the age of 69.[8]