Matt Orford

Matthew Orford (born 22 April 1978), also known by the nickname of "The Ox",[3] is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. He played for the Gosford Townies as a junior. A City New South Wales representative halfback, he played the majority of his club football career in Australia for National Rugby League clubs Melbourne Storm and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, representing the latter when he won 2008's Dally M Medal and NRL premiership. Orford also played for NRL sides Northern Eagles and Canberra Raiders, as well as in Super League for England's Bradford Bulls.

Matt Orford
Personal information
Full nameMatthew Orford
Born (1978-04-22) 22 April 1978
Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight92 kg (14 st 7 lb)
PositionHalfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000 Northern Eagles 11 4 23 0 62
2001–05 Melbourne Storm 120 52 333 3 877
2006–09 Manly Sea Eagles 98 17 242 9 561
2010 Bradford Bulls 14 3 31 2 76
2011 Canberra Raiders 6 0 0 0 0
Total 249 76 629 14 1576
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2001–06 NSW City 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Playing career

Orford was a North Sydney Bears junior and started his career with the Northern Eagles before joining the Melbourne Storm. In 2004, he was named the Storm's player of the year.[4]

He joined the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for the 2006 NRL season. He was later appointed captain of the club. Orford was a member of the Manly-Warringah team which lost the 2007 NRL grand final to the Melbourne Storm.[5] Orford captained the Manly-Warringah club in the 2008 NRL Grand Final victory over the Melbourne Storm.[6]

In September 2008, Orford won the prestigious Dally M Medal for being voted the best and fairest player of the 2008 NRL season. He finished on 24 points, two points ahead of Billy Slater. Orford was the first player since Peter Sterling to win the Dally M Medal and the premiership in the same year.

He signed for the Bradford Bulls on a three-year deal, starting in the 2010 season. However, his first season with the struggling Yorkshire club did not go well and was brought to an early finish due to Orford suffering a shoulder injury that would require surgery. He gained a release from the Bradford club in order to return home to Australia.

Orford's release was officially granted on 10 January 2011, and he signed with the Canberra Raiders on the same day.[7] Affected by a groin injury, Orford played six matches for Canberra in the 2011 NRL season. At the end of the season, he was released from the remainder of his contract.[8]

Post retirement

On 14 August 2016, Orford underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.[9]

In 2023 he was appointed as Manly's Under 16s Development Coach.[10]

References
  1. Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Matt Orford - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.com. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  2. "Yesterday's Hero - Your Sporting Hero's - Matt Orford - Manly, Melbourne, Northern Eagles". 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  3. "Bulls hold up Ox's return with demand for $200,000" by Brad Walter (The Sydney Morning Herald 8 December 2010)
  4. melbournestorm.com.au. "NRL Honour Board". Club. Melbourne Storm. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013.
  5. "Factfile on 2007 Grand Final". The Daily Telegraph. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
  6. "Grand final: As it happened". Fox Sports. 5 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  7. "Orford to join Raiders - Local News - Sport - Rugby League - the Canberra Times". www.canberratimes.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  8. Massoud, Josh (8 January 2012). "Matt Orford has a point to prove after a disastrous 2011 NRL season with Canberra Raiders". Fox Sports (Australia). Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  9. "Orford recovering from surgery in hospital". SBS. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  10. "Matt Orford returns as Sea Eagles Development Coach". SeaEagles.com.au. 21 February 2023.
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