Australian Football

Matt Clape’s career with West Coast coincided with a halcyon period for the club. Between 1992 and 1994 Clape played 29 AFL games and kicked 14 goals for the Eagles, but he was not a part of either their 1992 or 1994 premiership triumphs. Although some people at West Coast had misgivings he was let go at the end of the ‘94 season and eventually found himself at Carlton.

The 1995 season was a stellar one for Matt Cape. Playing mainly either on a half forward flank or in a forward pocket he quickly demonstrated why the Eagles had made a big mistake. Besides boasting exceptional all round skills he had the happy knack of knowing how to bring the likes of Stephen Kernahan, Earl Spalding or a resting Greg Williams into the play. Despite not always being on the score-sheet himself he had a hand in plenty of goals, and the Blues’ eventual premiership victory owed much to Matthew Bruce Clape.

In the grand final itself, he was a conspicuous contributor, racking up 19 quality disposals as Carlton ran riot to down Geelong by 61 points.

If Clape never fully recaptured the levels of consistency and performance of his first season with Carlton he nevertheless continued to give the club sound service until compelled by injury problems to give the game away in 1998. He had played 58 AFL games for the Blues and kicked 48 goals. He was also selected in the West Australian state of origin side which played South Australia in Adelaide in 1995.

Prior to, and for three seasons alongside, his AFL career Matt Clape played 92 WAFL games and registered 17 goals with East Perth, the club to which he would later return as an assistant coach.

Author - John Devaney