FERNTREE Gully’s Matthew Lee and his Victorian teammates recently triumphed over the best up-and-coming footballers from across the country.
The 12-year-old was one of 22 players selected for the Victorian Primary Schools Sport Association under-12 football squad from more than 2000 hopefuls.
The team played five games in seven days to take the championship in Maroochydore this month.
“We all sort of gelled together quickly,” he said.
The modest Mountain Gate Primary School student said he played “all right” in his roles at half-back and on the wing.
“They rotate us around everywhere,” he said.
Matthew also represented Victoria in athletics in 2007 and is among the final 50 players vying for selection in the state under-12s cricket team.
“Footy’s definitely my first preference,” he said.
Matthew plays for Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club. The side recently lost the preliminary final by just 10 points.
The Kangaroos supporter’s favourite footballer is Carlton’s Chris Judd.
He hopes to follow in his footsteps one day and play in the AFL.
“That’s the dream,” he said. “I just love it.”