Soon after leaving the field during his customary lower grade game for the Whites on Saturday morning, Mr Mathews suffered a suspected heart attack in the change rooms. He passed away a short time later, aged 55.

His death leaves a gaping hole at the Queanbeyan Whites the club he played more than 600 games for, in an amazing career which began in 1973.

For the full story, please see Friday's Queanbeyan Age, available from our front office on Monaro Street, or at newsagencies and supermarkets across the Queanbeyan region.