Geelong is mourning the passing of Alex Mathieson.

Alex was our oldest living player, sadly leaving us peacefully at the age of 101. 

Alex grew up in Geelong and started playing football at Newtown and Chilwell in the Geelong District Football League.

Shortly afterwards the war intervened and there was no more football being played in the region, so the Army stepped in and organised to play a game of football at Kardinia Park against former Geelong players.

Mathieson became Geelong’s 467th player when he debuted for the Club against the Bombers at Windy Hill in 1944.

Wearing the number 31, Mathieson kicked a goal with his very first kick after getting a holding the ball free kick after chasing down (Elton) ‘Duffy’ Plummer 48 yards from goal.

He went on to play a total of seven games for Geelong before his career was cut short by the war and Alex was transferred to Papua New Guinea where he spent 15 and a half months.

It was a challenging period for Mathieson. Within 10 days of his return, he went down with Malaria, which he had on and off for the next two years.

Alex followed in the footsteps of his uncle Jim Mathieson, who played 71 games for Geelong between 1920 and 1924.

The Club offers its heartfelt condolences to Alex’s family and friends.

Geelong will wear black armbands as a mark of respect in today’s AFL game against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. 

Rest peacefully, Alex.