# Matthew Spence

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{{Short description|New Zealand rugby league footballer and coach}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = Matthew Spence
|fullname       = 
|image          = 
|caption        = 
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1976|4|7|df=yes}}
|birth_place    = [Bay of Plenty](/source/Bay_of_Plenty), New Zealand
|height         =  {{convert|191|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight         =  {{convert|98|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position       = {{rlp|SR}}
|currentclub    = 
|clubnumber     = 
|club1          = [Parramatta Eels](/source/Parramatta_Eels)
|year1start     = 1995
|year1end       = 98
|appearances1   = 35
|tries1         = 4 
|goals1         = 0
|fieldgoals1    = 0
|points1        = 16
|club2          = {{nowrap|[Western Suburbs](/source/Western_Suburbs_Magpies)}}
|year2start     = 1999
|year2end       = 
|appearances2   = 15
|tries2         = 1
|goals2         = 0
|fieldgoals2    = 0
|points2        = 4
|club3          = [Auckland Warriors](/source/Auckland_Warriors)
|year3start     = 2000
|year3end       = 
|appearances3   = 18
|tries3         = 3
|goals3         = 0
|fieldgoals3    = 0
|points3        = 12
|retired = yes
|updated        = 3 December 2008
|source         = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Matthew_Spence.html RLP]
}}

'''Matthew Spence''' (born 7 April 1976) is a former professional [rugby league](/source/rugby_league) footballer and coach. His position of preference was in the [second row](/source/Second_Row_(rugby_league)), although he also played as [prop](/source/Prop_(rugby_league)) occasionally.

==Early years==
Born in New Zealand, Matthew grew up playing for the Turangi Dambusters in the [Bay of Plenty](/source/Bay_of_Plenty_Rugby_League) competition.<ref>[http://www.rugbyleague.co.nz/player.aspx?id=440&teamID=4 Matthew Spence] ''rugbyleague.co.nz''</ref>

Spence also played for the [Junior Kiwis](/source/Junior_Kiwis).<ref name="NZ_Herald_12709">{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12709|title=Rugby League: Warriors recruit can't wait|author=Jessup, Peter|date=28 August 1999|work=[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref>

==Playing career==
Spence then moved to Australia, joining the [Parramatta Eels](/source/Parramatta_Eels) and making his first grade debut in 1995. He impressed many in his rookie season and was awarded the [Eric Grothe](/source/Eric_Grothe%2C_Sr.) Rookie of the Year award at Parramatta.<ref>[http://www.parraeels.com.au/supporters/honourroll.shtml Honour Roll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221181514/http://parraeels.com.au/supporters/honourroll.shtml |date=2008-12-21}} ''parraeels.com.au''</ref> However he needed a knee reconstruction in 1997 and this injury plagued his next two seasons at the Eels.{{fact|date=April 2022}}

He signed for the [Western Suburbs Magpies](/source/Western_Suburbs_Magpies) in 1999 and looked to rebuild his career. However, before the season had started he failed a [NRL](/source/National_Rugby_League) drug test, testing positive for [ecstasy](/source/MDMA).<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7235/is_/ai_n30719232 RL: Spence only Wests player to test positive: officials] ''AAP Sport'', 8 February 1999</ref><ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7235/is_/ai_n30719306 RL: League still waiting for more info from ASDA] ''AAP Sport'', 9 February 1999</ref><ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-21440012.html RL: NRL awaiting full ASDA report on Spence]{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''AAP Sport'', 9 February 1999</ref> He was the first player to be suspended under the NRL's new drug rules and received a seven-week suspension.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-21458096.html RL: Drugs tribunal gives Spence seven week ban]{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''AAP Sport'', 17 March 1999</ref>

With the Magpies merging with [Balmain](/source/Balmain_Tigers) for the 2000 season he was forced to move clubs again and returned home to New Zealand to play for the [Auckland Warriors](/source/Auckland_Warriors). He was not re-signed by the new owners in 2001 and retired. When not required by the Warriors in 2000, Spence was assigned to play for the [Newtown Jets](/source/Newtown_Jets).<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SP0003/S00018.htm Backs To The Future - by Richard Becht] ''Scoop Sport'', 16 March 2000</ref> He played for the [Northcote Tigers](/source/Northcote_Tigers) in the [2002 Bartercard Cup](/source/2002_Bartercard_Cup).{{fact|date=April 2022}}

==Later years==
In 2003 Spence was the [player-coach](/source/player-coach) of the new Tihoi club in the Waicoa Bay club competition.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120913033859/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=15810 Waicoa Bay Premiership 2003 Season Preview] ''rleague.com'', 11 April 2003</ref>

In 2009 and 2010 Spence was the [player-coach](/source/player-coach) for the Turangi Dambusters in the Bay of Plenty premier competition, his old junior club.<ref>[http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/sport/news/star-spence-in-roving-dambusters-role/3901266/ Star Spence in roving Dambusters role] ''The Daily Post'', 13 July 2009</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book|author=Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson|title=The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players|year=2007
|publisher=Gary Allen Pty Ltd|location=[Wetherill Park, New South Wales](/source/Wetherill_Park%2C_New_South_Wales)|isbn=978-1-877082-93-1}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spence, Matthew}}
Category:1976 births
Category:Living people
Category:20th-century New Zealand sportsmen
Category:Junior Kiwis players
Category:New Zealand rugby league coaches
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand Warriors players
Category:Newtown Jets NSW Cup players
Category:Northcote Tigers players
Category:Parramatta Eels players
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Rugby league players from the Bay of Plenty Region
Category:Rugby league second-rows
Category:Western Suburbs Magpies players

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matthew Spence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Spence) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Spence?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.