CENTRAL District midfielder Matthew LeRay is considered one of South Australia’s most high-upside prospects in 2025. The National Academy member is yet to undergo a full footballing preseason but has chosen to put a promising cricketing career to the side, much like 2024 pick one, Sam Lalor.

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LeRay captained South Australia during the Under 19 cricket National Championships and skippered Prince Alfred College’s First XXII during his final year of school in 2024. Now, having trained with Adelaide Crows and the best of his peers, he is devoting himself to become the best footballer possible.

We spoke to LeRay during Sunday’s SANFL Under 18s preseason testing event.

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PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Matt, can you tell us about some of your earliest footballing memories?

“I’ve always been into footy even before structured team stuff, when I was a kid. I did Auskick and all that, when I was four I was out there playing with five and six-year-olds. I just always remember Dad coaching me and being hard on me and letting me do what I want. From a pretty young age he’s always been into me because he’s been coaching up until Under 10s. He was pretty instrumental in what I’ve done so far, I suppose.”

Q: How about your pathway through cricket?

“Ever since Under 13s or Under 14s I’ve been in the state pathways for cricket and been pretty heavily involved since then… right after the [Under 19] champs this year I decided that cricket would probably have to go if I wanted to be serious about footy. Up until this point I haven’t really had a full preseason, so I wanted to have at least half a preseason to get my body right. It was a pretty tough decision but I feel like it was the right time and everyone’s been really supportive from that front. The whole cricketing journey is over now, but it was really fun. I had a ball.”

Q: What were the main contributing factors behind you prioritising footy over cricket?

“Being part of the AFL Academy really opened my eyes, considering I’m a bit behind physically than the rest of the boys. I decided that if I want to be a big body mid, which I’m trying to do this year, I’ve got to get more strong and build a bigger engine. Although it’s only been a month, I think I’m definitely getting there. It would have been really hard to keep going with both considering they’re both elite level and keep advancing up while still trying to maintain my body.”

Q: How has preseason been now that you’re able to focus on one sport?

“I’ve put on a couple of kegs of muscle, which is good. I think my running’s really improved with all the conditioning stuff we’ve done in training. In 2024 I was struggling a little bit considering I had two trainings of cricket a week and a game on Saturday. But I think now I’m definitely doing well in the running and I’m not struggling at all. I’ve definitely taken steps in the right direction.”

Q: Having captained across both sports, is leadership something you pride yourself on?

“That’s something that, regardless if I’m going on the footy field, I try and maintain. I think from a young age I’ve always been a pretty good leader. Being vocal and leading from the front definitely helps me play my best footy. If I’m sort of in my shell and just floating through I tend to not fully invest, which is something I’ve definitely been trying to work on. But my leadership brings me in the game. Being captain of both footy and cricket, you get definitely get a different insight into what’s needed at different levels and I think that’s really helped me with my leadership.”

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?

“An inside-outside midfielder who is pretty versatile. I’ve played all four positions and done okay in all of them. I like to think I’m pretty clean below my knees and have a good kick on both feet. I think they’re things that set me apart.”

Q: What are some of the things you’re looking to improve on?

“I think I’ve definitely got to improve on my strength and that sort of thing… decision making too. I think they’re the biggest things that will set me apart if I can keep improving them. Just knowing what to do and watching the ball a little more around stoppage. If I can get even five-10 per cent better at that it’ll definitely go a long way. Then obviously with the strength, trying to fill out a bit while still maintaining a good aerobic capacity.”

Q: What kind of role do you expect to play this year?

“For the Centrals Under 18s and even in the [National] Champs, I think I’ll play on-ball. But then if I do end up playing Reserves or anything higher than that, I’ll probably play on a wing or half-forward. Even throughout the season, I could go out to the wing or play half-forward considering that’s something I’ve done before and it’s good to get exposure in those different positions.”

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?

“Yeah, I love footy. Watch it every weekend.”

Q: Which club do you support?

“I’m a Crows man, which is pretty cool. They should go pretty well this year. We’ve got a good list so it’ll be interesting to watch.”

Q: Do you look up to any players, whether that be at the Crows or elsewhere, to mould your own game on?

“I think the main one I’ve started watching recently is Will Day from Hawthorn. He’s made the move into the midfield and I think I’m similar to him body-wise and the way we play. Other than that, all the tall midfielders, like [Patrick] Cripps and [Marcus] Bontempelli, even though I play a little different to them. You obviously have to look up to the players who are where you want to be. So it’s good to watch them.”

Q: Do you take anything from highly touted teammates like Dyson Sharp, given the areas you’re aiming to improve on?

“The first couple years playing with him when he was doing what he was doing from a young age, it was sort of tough. I tried to compare myself to him a little bit… but definitely at training, trying to look at what he does from a physicality point of view. Not just in the gym, but also doing stoppage craft and that sort of thing. It’s really good having someone like him who’s willing to help out. He’s been really good at giving insights and also not trying to compare myself to him, because we’re obviously two different players and can contribute in different ways to the team.”

Q: Is there a teammate you think is going to have a really big year that we should look out for?

“From a Centrals point of view, Aidan Schubert. He’s had a really big preseason. If he can take a few marks up forward for us this year, it’ll be really good. He’s been training the house down, he’s a really good runner. He’s definitely someone that is going to have a good year. Also from Centrals, Cameron Nairn. He hasn’t really been highly touted, he’s in the state squad for the first time this year and he’s training the house down, he’s improved so much. He’s someone that should be pushing for state selection and will definitely have a big year for Centrals.”

Q: You’ve seen a few contenders from around the nation now, so who would you take with pick one?

“It’s a tough one. I think it’s hard because you’ve got so many different academy players But probably Zeke Uwland or ‘Dys’, I think they’re two at the moment. It’s a pretty open draft, no one’s really put their hand up as of yet so it’ll be interesting to see this year.”

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