After taking a three-year break from medical studies to focus on football in the early days of the Crows, Liptak then juggled studies and work with his AFL career on the way to becoming a doctor. After making his AFL debut midway through 1991, Liptak soon became a regular in the line-up as a small forward or rover. Hamstring and thumb injuries held him back in 1995 but the following year was one to remember, as he graduated from his medical degree, played every game to join the 100-game club and won Adelaide’s club champion award. And he achieved all this despite working up to 70 hours a week as a doctor.
Despite being regarded as one of the club’s fittest players, the rest of Matthew’s career was rocked by injuries. In his last three seasons he was only able to add 13 AFL games to his tally. Liptak was one of the unlucky Crows who was unavailable for the 1997 finals series and he was also absent for the 1998 campaign. Hamstring and quad strains were the main issues in 1997 before a sore Achilles tendon needed surgery at the end of the season. This held him back from pre-season training and then he fought a frustrating battle with hamstring and thigh injuries in the last two years.
Liptak retired, aged 29, and shared his farewell game with team-mate Rod Jameson and coach Malcolm Blight in the last minor round of the 1999 season. He is now an orthopaedic surgeon.
Matthew Liptak at the Crows
Guernsey number: 27.
Crows debut: Round 9 v North Melbourne, 1991.
AFC games: 116. AFC goals: 128.
Recruited from: Glenelg (SANFL).
Original squad selection 1991.
DOB: April 30, 1970.
He said:
"I wouldn't change anything. I look back on it. I would have been happy to play one game."
Random info:
Liptak equalled his career best goal return of four, in his second last AFL game. He also polled two Brownlow Medal votes
He once represented South Australia in the national kayak titles
He barracked for Central District before playing juniors at West Adelaide and then Glenelg
Crows career:
Year | Games |
1991 | 12 |
1992 | 22 |
1993 | 20 |
1994 | 19 |
1995 | 8 |
1996 | 22 |
1997 | 7 |
1998 | 2 |
1999 | 4 |
