Matthew Connell had an immediate impact at the Crows after arriving at West Lakes from West Coast in 1995.

He claimed the Club Champion award in his first season before being an integral cog in Adelaide’s back-to-back flags.

But, with Covid-19 halting Australians’ travel plans, it may be his life after AFL that’s the envy of most. 

“I did a snow season in Canada and then worked in the UK for two and a half years,” Connell said.

“I was based in Vancouver and the plan was to get a job there, but it didn’t quite eventuate 

“I pretty much snowboarded every day and work was put on the backburner, so they were pretty good times.

“I am a teacher so, after a season in Canada, I got a sponsorship with a couple of schools over in the UK which was another fantastic experience, just to get right away from everything back in Australia.

“I got to see different parts of the world, especially throughout Europe.”

Connell, now 49, first taught at what he described as a “big rugby school” in Essex before working at an inner-city school in London.

During his time in the UK, Connell played for the North London Lions, before coaching the British Bulldogs at the AFL International Cup in 2005.

“We travelled from London to Melbourne to compete in that in 2005, which was a fantastic experience,” Connell said.

“There’s a heap of expats in the domestic competition, but for the International Cup you had to be a UK citizen to get into that team.”

Connell made his way back to his hometown of Perth in 2007, and completed a postgraduate degree in sports management.

The father-of-two has been teaching at Newman College in Perth since 2008 and, for the past six years, has held the Head of Sport position. 

“That sees me looking after all the co-curricular sporting teams and putting together all the after school sport and training programs and school teams,” Connell said.

“It’s a big job but I really enjoy still being involved in sport and obviously I get to put together all the football teams and coaches, so I keep involved in football that way.”

When it comes to his AFL career, the former wingman said winning two flags with the Crows would forever be his favourite memories. 

“Looking back on it (1997, 1998) it was amazing,” Connell said.

“To have that opportunity I’ll always be grateful to the Adelaide Football Club for giving me that opportunity.

“We gelled so well as a team. 

“Everyone was on the same page, we obviously had some superstar players but everyone just knew their role and played their role really well with a pretty solid game plan.”

Connell still pulls on the footy boots, playing in a nine-a side competition in Perth which he jokingly describes as “for washed up AFL hacks”. 

“I play with my two brothers and we have a couple of beers afterwards so it’s quite social and good fun,” Connell said. 

He also still likes to keep an eye on Adelaide and watch the side’s progress.

“I will definitely try and catch Crows games when I can,” Connell said.

“ I’ve got a young-ish sort of family, so it does make it a little bit tricky at times on the weekend.

“But certainly when the Crows are playing either the Dockers or West Coast in Perth I try to get tickets and go along.”