In place of a red carpet Kyabram Football Club has rolled out the mat ― the Mick Matt.
Star 2019 premiership midfielder Mick Mattingly has rejoined the club after a two-year sojourn in Adelaide, making for an almighty reunion with his Bombers comrades.
The 27-year-old recently turned out for West Adelaide in the SANFL to further his playing career, but when duty called Mattingly answered with no hesitation.
“My partner Georgie and I have got a block of land in Moama that we’re building on, so the plan was always to come back and link back up with footy around the region,” Mattingly said.
“It was about deciding where that was going to be, but the pull was always to come back to Ky.
“I’ve got such great relationships, I lived there for four years once I left uni in Melbourne.
“I got that locked in over the last few weeks after chatting with the club, so it’s very exciting.”
Mattingly’s 2019 season was one for the history books.
The superstar on-baller rattled off the Morrison-Barry Connolly Medal double for best player in the home-and-away season and in finals, claiming a flag to boot.
He became just the 10th GVL player to win a premiership and a Morrison Medal in the same season, the second Bomber after Jeff Cooper in 1958.
Originally from Wagga Wagga, Mattingly joined the Bombers in 2018 and last played for Kyabram in a truncated 2021 season before the appeal of SANFL footy beckoned.
Two seasons in Bloods colours bore little merit for Mattingly on the team front with West Adelaide finishing flat bottom in 2022 and 2023.
However, he doesn’t regret the decision one bit.
“I loved it. I‘m someone who loves testing myself and getting the best out of myself, so I wanted to come over here and try and do that,” he said.
“I came over coming off a knee reconstruction, which I had in my last year at Ky, so that was a little bit tough last year, but this year I was able to play a little bit more of the footy that I was hoping to when I moved over here.
“Obviously we didn’t have as much success as a team, but I loved being able to test myself, loved the place in Adelaide, so it’s a little bit sad to leave, but definitely excited about getting back to the area and playing at Ky.”
Mattingly left a lasting impression on Kyabram during his four years at the club.
And, as it turns out, that feeling would become mutual.
“I’ve got so many fantastic friendships that I made over the years that I was in Ky,” he said.
“I check the scores every week and keep up to date after I’ve finished my game and check how the boys went.
“Whenever there was a night game or a game on a day that I wasn’t playing, I’d always watch the stream and things like that.
“When you win a premiership at a club you create so many amazing friendships and connections with people.
“I’ve always kept up to date and had that pull to come back one day. It’ll be exciting to do it next year.”
Mattingly will link up with several premiership teammates for season 2024.
They include Lachie Smith, Kyle Mueller and new co-coaching duo Kaine Herbert and Corey Carver, who take over from Paul Newman, the man behind the wheel when Mattingly last pulled on the sash.
“Paul did an unbelievable job as he always does with the team, getting through to the grand final last season,” he said.
“I played with Kaine in my last year at Ky and I’ve known Corey through the local cricket club and just around town.
“I get on really well with both of them and am looking forward to working with them.
“Hopefully we’re looking at retaining most of the list from last year and having another crack at it and seeing if we can push Echuca, Euroa and the best teams in the comp.
“That’ll be the plan.”