Polite knocking on the door of the senior team won’t do for Matho, he’s got to kick it off its hinges.

When 34 possessions and two goals in the opening round of the VFL weren’t enough to crack a game in the seniors, he followed up with 18 and four goals in just a half against Carlton.

He was providing Senior Coach Chris Fagan with exactly the type of headache he loves, a player in the reserves putting pressure on the AFL side.

As it turned out, that same day Brownlow medalist Lachie Neale gave the Fagan exactly the type of headache no coach wants when he suffered a serious ankle injury.

It paved the way for Mathieson’s elevation to the senior side against Port Adelaide last week and he will return tomorrow against Fremantle for his 50th AFL game.

The Lions have made just the one change with veteran defender Darcy Gardiner replacing debutant Jimmy Madden in the twenty-two.

Mathieson’s milestone has been five years in the making after being selected by the Club with the 39^th pick in the 2015 AFL draft.

In his time at the Lions the 24-year-old has been competing with All Australians and Merrett-Murray medalists Dayne Beams, Dayne Zorko, Tom Rockliff and Lachie Neale for a spot in the midfield.

In recent years Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Lyons have been added to the mix.

There’s been no handouts.

“To play 50 games means the world to me,’’ he said.

“I’ve been on the fringe, in and out of the team my whole career, and that has only ever made me more determined to keep working.

“I didn’t look elsewhere and wonder if I could get a game there, I looked at our side and challenged myself to force my way in.’’ 

When the feedback was that he needed to increase his running ability, he busted his gut working on improving his endurance. His contested work has always been his strength and he possesses clean hands and a great kick, but he sometimes let himself down with his decision making. So he studied hard and made inroads.

Over the pre-season he played in the senior side and was a standout but when round one rolled around, his name wasn’t on the team sheet.

He was with the team during their Covid 19 enforced layover in Melbourne. It’s a tough existence as a travelling emergency but Mathieson’s demeanor never altered.   

“I just love the Club,’’ he said.

“I feel so lucky to have been drafted to Brisbane and found such a great group of mates.

“I’m so proud of where we have come from as a Club over the past few years and I’m just really happy that I’ve been able to work my way into a position where I get to play in such a great side.’’

While his combative nature on the field can make him public enemy number one amongst opposition players and fans, you wouldn’t find a more loved teammate in the entire AFL.

Last week, the day after his first senior game this season in wet and heavy conditions against Port Adelaide, he doubled-up and ran the water for the VFL side.

Lions skipper Dayne Zorko reckons he shakes his head in wonder when he hears the knocks on Mathieson.

“I always say, if you played with him, you’d love him,’’ he said.

“He’s just a beautiful human, he’s the ultimate Clubman, the guy who would do anything for you.

“When he’s not in the senior team, we don’t have a bigger supporter, his attitude is incredible, and the boys love him for it.’’