Heart & Soul | Farewell, Kreuze
Written by Joseph Addamo for Blue Abroad
After tumultuous years as the cellar dwellers of the AFL competition, the off-season of 2007 marked a shift in Carlton’s fortunes. Brett Ratten was announced as Head Coach of the club he captained and played 255 games for. Securing arguably the game’s greatest player in Chris Judd from the West Coast Eagles was the first order of business, as the swagger returned to Princes Park. However, amongst all of this hype, the prospect of yet another Pick 1 at the 2007 National Draft loomed even larger – figuratively and literally.
Standing at 200cm tall, Matthew Kreuzer was, at the time, the consensus number 1 draft pick at Under 18 level. Drafted by the Blues out of the Northern Knights TAC Cup team, Kreuzer was touted as holding the keys to Carlton’s future Ruck fortunes. ‘Kreuze’ was sworn into the football club wearing the number 8 guernsey, adopted from previous captain and 200+ gamer, Lance Whitnall.
Kreuzer would debut for the Carlton Football Club in Round 3, 2008, against the arch-enemy, Essendon. He quickly made his mark, joining the first-kick-first-goal club in a high scoring affair. He finished with 2 Goals, 16 Disposals, 12 Hitouts and 4 Marks from 67% Time on Ground. Although Carlton fell short on the night, Blues fans were excited at the prospect of what this young Ruckman would bring to the football club for years to come.
Gaining wraps from Max Gawn as his “toughest opponent” in recent years speaks volumes of Kreuzer’s Ruck craft and overall playing ability. What could have been for ‘Tractor’ if it were not for his horrid run of injuries throughout the course of his 189-game career. An ACL tear in 2010, a plethora of knee and ankle injuries following, two foot injuries and elevated heartrate issues took a substantial physical toll over the years. Regardless of this, ‘Kreuze’ soldiered on to forge a long-lasting career in the Navy Blue, and etched his name among top echelon of Carlton Ruckman in the AFL era.
Source: tlaworldwide.com
In 2017, missing only one game, Kreuzer put together his best and most consistent season. He gained a nomination in the 40-Man All Australian squad as well as finishing 3rd overall in Carlton’s Best & Fairest count. Outside of his exceptional Ruck craft, Kreuzer’s ability to follow up in stoppages at ground level with second and third efforts separated him from his opponents. At the peak of his powers, he averaged 31.7 Hitouts per game, 9.8 Contested Possessions and 4.5 Clearances. In comparison, over the course of Brodie Grundy’s less-injury plagued career to date, Grundy has averaged 32.0 Hitouts per game, 4.1 Clearances and 10.0 Contested Possessions. Head-to-head with Grundy, the premier ground level Ruckman in today’s game, it highlights how good Kreuzer may have been over a longer and more consistent period of time if his body had not let him down so frequently.
Matthew Kreuzer was the heart and soul of the Carlton Football Club over a 13-year career. Although his career was cut short, he leaves behind a legacy of toughness, grit and passion often unrivaled on gameday. Kreuzer retires with 189 games to his name and 94 goals for the Blues. On behalf of Carlton supporters around the country, Blue Abroad thanks ‘Kreuze’ for his contributions and dedication to the jumper, and wishes him all the best in life after football.
