Matthews

After debuting in 1989, Matthews played the last of his 9 games for Carlton in Round 23, 1991 before being traded to Fitzroy as part of the very complex trade deal that netted the Blues Greg Williams. Carlton gave Simon Minton-Connell to Sydney and Peter Sartori and Ashley Matthews to Fitzroy. Sydney also gained Darren Kappler from the Roys, and Fitzroy gained draft picks. Matthews began with jumper #48 before moving to jumper #34. Matthews added another 6 games to his tally at Fitzroy.At 190cm, Matthews was a forward who occasionally pinch-hit in the ruck. He was a slim, blond-headed player in the Rohan Welsh mould. He showed glimpses of making it, including via his strong leap, but couldn't regularly bridge the gap between reserves and senior footy. At reserves level he was very good, including once taking 18 marks in a single game.

When he finished his VFL career Ashley returned to grass roots football including to Lilydale as its captain and coach. He coached Lilydale to a premiership in 1996 in the EDFL and again in 1998 this time in the Eastern Football League (EFL) both in the second division of the competition. Although he coached Lilydale in first division in 1997 they were not competitive and were immediately relegated. He also has been "Chairman of Selectors" at the club when working with coach Brett Fisher in 2006 and 2007 in the first division of the EFL. Matthews is also member of the club's "Team of the Century" as coach. In 2016, Matthews coached the East Ringwood U13A team to the EFL U13 premiership.

In 2002, Matthews was appointed as captain-coach of Silvan in the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League, he coached them to the flag in his first season

Matthews was recruited from Lilydale.

Matthews was a bricklayer by trade, and good mates with fellow Blue Jamie Dunlop.

Career Highlights

1987 - 7th U/19's Best & Fairest
1989 - Equal 7th Reserves Best & Fairest
1990 - Reserves Premiership Player