DEA, Matt

Matt Dea started his AFL career with Richmond when he was taken with the club's fourth pick, 44th overall, in the 2009 National Draft.

He was an attacking defender for Richmond, a strong mark and able to rebound off the backline through his good reading of the play. He was very effective at stopping opposition attacks, but injuries and a stable Richmond backline minimised his opportunities . Despite playing seven games in 2015 he was unable to cement a permanent spot in the senior side but had a successful year in the VFL team, winning the best and fairest award. However he was delisted by the Tigers at the end of 2015 after 31 games.

He accepted Essendon’s offer to become as one of the ten “top-up” players and had an excellent year, playing 21 games and winning the Club’s 2016 Most Courageous Player Award and finishing ninth in the Best and Fairest. Along with James Kelly, he was one of only two of the “top-up” players to be offered a contract for 2017.

However, the return of the suspended players in 2017 reduced his opportunities to just six senior games. Nevertheless, he continued to work hard and played a major role in the VFL side that year.

Dea played 12 games in 2018 but was delisted at the end of the year after 39 games with the Bombers and 70 AFL games overall. He was re-drafted by Essendon in the 2019 Rookie Draft with pick 24 but played no more senior games and retired at the end of the year. He joined Melbourne University Blacks in 2020.