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{{Short description|Australian rules footballer, born 1982}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Martin Mattner
| image = Mattner_after_game.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = 
| fullname = Martin Mattner
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|8|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Ki Ki, South Australia]]
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| originalteam = [[Sturt Football Club|Sturt]] ([[South Australian National Football League|SANFL]])
| height = 189 cm
| weight = 86 kg
| position = [[Australian rules football positions|Defender]]
| statsend = 2013
| years1 = 2002–2007
| club1 = {{AFL Ade}}
| games_goals1 = {{0}}98 (14)
| years2 = 2008–2013
| club2 = {{AFL Syd}}
| games_goals2 = 124 (26)
| games_goalstotal = 222 (40)
| coachyears1 = 2016–2018 2021-
| coachclub1 = [[Sturt Football Club|Sturt]] ([[South Australian National Football League|SANFL]])
| coachgames_wins1 = 64 (43-19-2)
| careerhighlights = *Sturt premiership player (SANFL) 2002
*Sydney premiership player (AFL) 2012
*Sturt premiership coach (SANFL) 2016, 2017
}}

'''Martin Mattner''' (born 6 August 1982) is a former [[Australian rules football]]er who played for the [[Sydney Swans]] and [[Adelaide Crows]] in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL). He was traded to Sydney from the Crows in October 2007 in exchange for draft pick number 28.

Mattner grew up in the small town of [[Ki Ki, South Australia|Ki Ki]], 150 kilometres south-east of [[Adelaide]]. In the year he was elevated off Adelaide's rookie list (2002), he was having to travel up to [[Adelaide]] twice a week to train and play [[Australian rules football|football]] for [[Sturt Football Club|Sturt]].<ref>[http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/09/09/1125772694461.html Real Footy Story]</ref>

Mattner was Adelaide's leading tackler in the [[2005 AFL season|2005]] and [[2006 AFL season|2006]] seasons. In the 2006 season, he missed out on two games due to a calf injury.

Mattner retired midway through the [[2013 AFL season]], succumbing to an ongoing hip injury. He took up a coaching role with the [[Sydney Swans]] as a development coach until the end of the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sydney Swans Coaching Staff|url=http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/football/coaches|website=sydneyswans.com.au|publisher=Sydney Swans|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref>  In October 2015, Mattner was announced as the head coach of [[Sturt Football Club|Sturt]]. He is one of only a few to win a SANFL Premiership as a player, a SANFL Premiership as a coach and an AFL Premiership as a player.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morgan|first1=Kym|title=SANFL: Martin Mattner announced as new Sturt coach|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/breaking-news/sanfl-martin-mattner-announced-as-new-sturt-coach/story-fnect155-1227559995145?sv=14a5b39974d723610e517a7feb9fd1d6|access-date=23 October 2015|agency=The Advertiser (Adelaide)|publisher=News Corporation|date=8 October 2015}}</ref>

==AFL career==
Mattner grew up in the tiny southeast [[South Australia]]n town of Ki Ki.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/adelaide/stories/s1421735.htm|title=ABC story|accessdate=13 May 2023}}</ref> He attended [[Coomandook]] Area School and played some junior football with the [[Peake, South Australia|Peake]] and Districts Football Club. He then sought to further develop his game and progressed to play with the [[Imperial Football Club]] in 1997, and later Sturt, until he was recruited to the Adelaide Football Club for the 2002 season, off of the rookie list.

===2002–2003===
[[File:Martin Mattner.jpg|200px|thumb|Mattner with the football]]
Debuting with Adelaide as a 19-year-old, Mattner began his career slowly. After being elevated from Adelaide's [[rookie list]] at the start of the [[2002 AFL season|2002 season]], he played just seven games for the year. One of his best performances was a game against [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] where he laid 13 [[tackle (football move)|tackle]]s, a feature of his game that he had become noted for. He picked up 11 disposals in his first game, and then 13 disposals in a win over [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]]. He averaged eight disposals a match over his seven games, and had an impressive average of just over three tackles a game.

Much was the same the next year, with coach [[Gary Ayres]] displaying a tendency to not play his younger players unless a senior player was injured. He was able to play ten games in the [[2003 AFL season|2003 season]], averaging nine disposals a match, including 21 in a game against the [[North Melbourne Football Club|Kangaroos]], in the same game as he kicked his first goal.

Mattner during these two years was still young, and was playing well for his local [[SANFL]] club [[Sturt Football Club|Sturt]], regularly gathering 20 or more disposals a match as well as laying many bone-crunching tackles. In the 2002 SANFL season, the Double Blues won the premiership over [[Central District Bulldogs|Central District]] and Mattner was listed among the best players in the Grand Final. Sturt's end of season trip was to [[Bali]]. Team members were caught up in the [[2002 Bali bombings]] and fellow player Josh Deegan and club official [[Bob Marshall (football trainer)|Bob Marshall]] were killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/|title=FOX SPORTS &#124; Live Sports Scores &#124; NRL, AFL, Cricket Scores|website=FOX SPORTS|accessdate=13 May 2023}}</ref>

===2004–2005===
During the [[2004 AFL season|2004 season]], Mattner was seen to improve in a number of areas – averaging eleven disposals and playing 16 matches for the year. Midway through a disappointing season for the team (where the Crows missed the finals), new coach [[Neil Craig]] gave Mattner more opportunity than previous coach Ayres, which helped Mattner grow as a player, another feature becoming noticeable was his run through the midfield. His new coach also played him more through the wing than Gary Ayres did, giving him more opportunity as a player. At that time, he had a career equaling 21 disposals in a game against [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]], and failed to miss a match after his inclusion in round 7 which shows how well he was performing.

In 2005, Mattner came of age and so did a younger Crows outfit. He played all but one match for the season and failed only once to gather more than ten disposals in a disappointing effort against Melbourne. His average of 16 disposals per game seeing him as an important cog in Adelaide's midfield. He also had 98 tackles, which was the highest of any Crows player in the season. His long left-foot kicking, often described as "raking" and "accurate" by television commentators, was vital in setting up many of Adelaide's forward thrusts. He missed just one game in the season, which was in round 22, but failed to have a 15 disposal plus game in any of the Crows' three finals. [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]] was knocked out of the finals race by [[West Coast Eagles|West Coast]] in the preliminary final.

===2006===
In 2006, Mattner started to play on a half-back flank, keeping a smaller player relatively quiet and gaining many possessions of his own. This was suggested by former Crows coach [[Malcolm Blight]], as he did with [[Andrew McLeod]] and [[Simon Goodwin]] in [[1997 AFL season|1997]] and [[1998 AFL season|1998]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/footy/story_page/0,8747,19661065%255E21544,00.html|title=The Advertiser story|accessdate=13 May 2023}}</ref> At the end of the season, he had only missed out on two games due to a calf injury. He had a career high 27 disposals against St Kilda, and followed that performance with 25 disposals against [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] playing on the likes of [[Gary Ablett, Jr.|Gary Ablett]] and [[Jimmy Bartel]]. Also in the game against [[St Kilda Football Club|St Kilda]], Mattner had a career high number of kicks and marks playing further in the midfield. He continued to play well during the season, picking up 21 disposals against [[Fremantle Football Club|Fremantle]] in round 19 and again against [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] three weeks later in round 22. He picked up 12 [[Brownlow Medal]] votes, beating the likes of veterans [[Simon Goodwin]], [[Andrew McLeod]] and [[Mark Ricciuto]]. In the season, he only failed to pick up 10 disposals or more in a game three times (twice against eventual premiers [[West Coast Eagles|West Coast]]), and failed to lay a tackle twice. He kicked five goals for the season, including a career high two goals in a game against the Bulldogs in round 5.

He has been praised by coach [[Neil Craig]] after he wanted him to take some parts of his game to a higher level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=278435|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622125725/http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news|url-status=dead|title=AFC story|archive-date=22 June 2004|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref> He is now considered an "automatic selection" player – that is, he will always get into the starting squad unless he is injured.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/sport/columns/200607/s1688360.htm?afl ABC story]</ref>

===2007===
Mattner managed 19 of 23 games for Adelaide in 2007, though his statistics were well down on previous years. Despite being a naturally attacking player, Mattner was consistently played in defence, rather than on a wing which would be his preferred position. This is often offered as an explanation to his drop in form, and subsequent trading away from the Crows.

===2008–2012===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Martin Mattner, 2013.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Martin Mattner in action for the Sydney Swans.]] -->
Mattner was traded to the Sydney Swans at the end of the 2007 season and quickly found his feet in the Swans' backline. He had a terrific first year at his new club and consequently placed 3rd in the Bob Skilton Medal (Sydney's Best and Fairest Award) behind Jarrad McVeigh and Brett Kirk. His second game for the Swans was his 100th AFL game overall, played against {{AFL PA}}.

Since then, Mattner has played some very consistent football in defence and has established himself as a clear best 22 player in Sydney. 2009 and 2010 saw solid form from Mattner while he has started the 2011 season in as strong form as has been seen from him at the club.

Mattner has only missed one game in his time at the Sydney Swans, that being round 15, 2010 against North Melbourne.

2011 was one of Mattner's most consistent years in the AFL. He didn't see as much ball rebounding from the back half but, as a pure defender, he produced some of his best football.

Mattner played his 200th AFL game in round 9, 2012, against {{AFL Stk}}. The milestone was overshadowed by [[Lenny Hayes]] playing his 250th AFL game for the Saints in the same match, as the Swans lost by 28 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-26/smashing-saints-do-it-for-lenny/4035186|title=Smashing Saints do it for Lenny|publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|date=26 May 2012|access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref> He went on to play in the Swans' side that won the club's fifth premiership with a victory over {{AFL Haw}}. He played an important role in the team, including a ferocious run down tackle on Hawthorn's [[Grant Birchall]] in the dying minutes.

===2013===

Mattner played the first seven rounds of the season in reasonable form however was sidelined for 3 rounds midway through the season. Just prior to round 11, Mattner announced his retirement effective immediately, due to a degenerative hip condition that had caused him constant pain for several years. Mattner stated that to continue playing football would aggravate the injury and could lead to a life of crippling pain.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130607035439/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/pain-finally-beats-swans-silent-achiever-martin-mattner/story-fnca0u4y-1226658949246 The Australian] </ref>

== Coaching career ==

Mattner became the senior coach of Sturt in the [[South Australian National Football League]] (SANFL) in 2016. After finishing eighth out of ten in 2015, Sturt won the premiership in his first season as coach, and won its second consecutive premiership in 2017. Mattner joined the Adelaide Football Club post 2018 SANFL season with Sturt and took up an assistant role, Mattner will be in charge of the defenders with Adelaide. After departing Adelaide in 2020 due to reduction in coaching panel sizes, Mattner successfully returned as the coach of the Sturt Football Club in 2021.

==Statistics==
:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/M/Martin_Mattner.html|title=AFL Tables - Martin Mattner - Stats - Statistics|website=afltables.com|accessdate=13 May 2023}}</ref>
{{AFL player statistics legend}}
{{AFL player statistics start}}
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2002 AFL season|2002]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 39 || 7 || 0 || 1 || 32 || 22 || 54 || 10 || 22 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 4.6 || 3.1 || 7.7 || 1.4 || 3.1
|- 
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2003 AFL season|2003]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 39 || 10 || 1 || 2 || 51 || 38 || 89 || 17 || 26 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 5.1 || 3.8 || 8.9 || 1.7 || 2.6
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2004 AFL season|2004]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 39 || 16 || 3 || 4 || 93 || 86 || 179 || 44 || 49 || 0.2 || 0.3 || 5.8 || 5.4 || 11.2 || 2.8 || 3.1
|- 
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2005 AFL season|2005]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 39 || 24 || 4 || 9 || 194 || 188 || 382 || 80 || 98 || 0.2 || 0.4 || 8.1 || 7.8 || 15.9 || 3.3 || 4.1
|- style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2006 AFL season|2006]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 39 || 22 || 5 || 5 || 180 || 164 || 344 || 96 || 66 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 8.2 || 7.5 || 15.6 || 4.4 || 3.0
|- 
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2007 AFL season|2007]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ade}}
| 39 || 19 || 1 || 2 || 143 || 148 || 291 || 83 || 44 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 7.5 || 7.8 || 15.3 || 4.4 || 2.3
|- style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2008 AFL season|2008]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 29 || 24 || 4 || 6 || 257 || 190 || 447 || 108 || 116 || 0.2 || 0.3 || 10.7 || 7.9 || 18.6 || 4.5 || 4.8
|- 
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2009 AFL season|2009]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 29 || 22 || 12 || 3 || 209 || 154 || 363 || 90 || 95 || 0.5 || 0.1 || 9.5 || 7.0 || 16.5 || 4.1 || 4.3
|- style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2010 AFL season|2010]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 29 || 23 || 6 || 2 || 232 || 153 || 385 || 93 || 64 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 10.1 || 6.7 || 16.7 || 4.0 || 2.8
|- 
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2011 AFL season|2011]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 29 || 24 || 3 || 1 || 206 || 120 || 326 || 77 || 106 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 8.6 || 5.0 || 13.6 || 3.2 || 4.4
|- style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2012 AFL season|2012]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 29 || 24 || 1 || 3 || 205 || 122 || 327 || 81 || 74 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 8.5 || 5.1 || 13.6 || 3.4 || 3.1
|- 
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2013 AFL season|2013]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 29 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 49 || 27 || 76 || 23 || 19 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 7.0 || 3.9 || 10.9 || 3.3 || 2.7
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=3| Career
! 222
! 40
! 38
! 1851
! 1412
! 3263
! 802
! 779
! 0.2
! 0.2
! 8.3
! 6.4
! 14.7
! 3.6
! 3.5
|}

==References==
;Publications
*Gleeson, Michael. ''AFL 2002 – The Official Yearbook''. Sydney:Harper Collins Publishers, 2002. {{ISBN|0-7322-7620-9}}

;Notes & Web references
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Sydplayer}}
*{{AFL Tables|M/Martin_Mattner}}

{{2002 Sturt premiership players}}
{{2012 Sydney Swans premiership players}}
{{2016 Sturt premiership players}}
{{Sturt Football Club coaches}}
{{2002 AFL rookie draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mattner, Martin}}
[[Category:Adelaide Football Club players]]
[[Category:Sydney Swans players]]
[[Category:Sydney Swans premiership players]]
[[Category:Sturt Football Club players]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia]]
[[Category:Sturt Football Club coaches]]
[[Category:VFL/AFL premiership players]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen]]