Matthew Burton (Australian footballer)

For the English footballer, see Matthew Burton (English footballer).

Matthew "Spider" Burton (born 19 May 1970) is a retired Australian rules footballer. He played as a ruckman and began his Football career at Subiaco. "Spider" Burton, as he's commonly known, because of his 210 cm (6 ft 11 in) frame, was formerly the AFL's tallest player. He has since been eclipsed by another Docker in Aaron Sandilands, Geelong Football Club and Western Bulldogs' Peter Street, Geelong Football Club and GWS Giants Dawson Simpson and Collingwood’s Mason Cox, all of whom stand at 211 cm tall.

Matthew Burton
Personal information
Date of birth	(1970-05-19) 19 May 1970 (age 55)
Place of birth	Perth, Western Australia
Original team(s)	Subiaco (WAFL)
Debut	Round 1, 1 April 1995, Fremantle. vs. Richmond., at the MCG
Height	210 cm (6 ft 11 in)
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1990–1993	West Coast	000 0(0)
1995–1999	Fremantle	070 (32)
2000–2003	Kangaroos	077 (33)
Total		147 (65)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2003.
Career highlights
Former tallest player in the AFL
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

West Coast

Selected by West Coast with pick #36 in the 1990 National Draft, Burton spent four seasons on the Eagles' senior list before he was eventually delisted (without playing a game for the club) at the end of the 1994 season (under an AFL ruling that clubs cut list numbers back from 52 to 40).

Fremantle Dockers

In 1994, Fremantle picked up Burton in the pre-season draft. He played in Fremantle's first match in the AFL. In 1999, he was made vice-captain of the club but played only seven games that year before being delisted.

Kangaroos

In 1999, Burton was picked by the Kangaroos with selection 74 in the pre-season draft. He retired in 2003 having played a total of 147 games.

External links

• Matthew Burton's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Matthew Burton at AustralianFootball.com
• Matthew Burton's WAFL playing statistics at WAFLFootyFacts.net