HE’S BECOME a cult figure at Hawthorn because of his shaggy appearance and Matt Spangher says he has no intentions yet of removing what has become his trademark.
The Hawthorn utility’s look is endearing to the Hawthorn faithful who have embraced him as one of their favourite sons, something he admits was foreign to his previous two AFL clubs.
In Saturday’s 29-point win over Collingwood, Spangher was given a standing ovation by Hawthorn fans at the MCG following a diving mark across centre half back.
Indeed it was one of his best performances in brown and gold and those in attendance made sure their cult hero knew it.
Every time Spangher went near the ball he was met with a great cheer, something that is now the norm for Hawthorn’s shaggy-haired utility.
“I guess it’s because of my appearance more than anything, I’d love to say it was my football ability,” he joked.
“(But) it’s more to do with my beard and hair.
“It’s certainly better on that side of the ledger than the other side – it’s pretty flattering I suppose.
“I have to admit, the Hawthorn supporters have been pretty funny since I got here, they’ve been quite welcoming and now have taken it to the next level.”
How did it all begin? For his long hair it’s simple – he believes he looks better with long hair than short.
And his coaches haven’t requested it be cut.
“Originally it (growing my hair) was because I think I look better with long hair than short hair – I just don’t pull off short hair that well,” Spangher revealed to hawthornfc.com.au
“It’s grown a few more inches since coming to Hawthorn - it’s the view that if your football isn’t suffering then why change your appearance.
“I don’t know if I’ve got the official all clear but I haven’t been told not to do it.”
As for the beard, it’s a simple story that begins with a lazy day.
“The beard just came along because I was too lazy to shave one day and I was happy with how the stubble was tracking,” he said.
“I’d never really grown a beard before, so I just thought why not?”
He has been nicknamed ‘Jesus’ by his fans, a nickname his teammates have been known to use too, at times during training sessions.
He has embraced it and is relishing the time with his long locks and has no plans yet of ridding himself of his trademark.
“I will eventually cut it, in time but not in the short term,” he said.
“In life after footy you probably can’t just have this kind of appearance unless I go into a radio career.
“The career I hope to get into is a bit more clean cut, so I’m just enjoying the ‘shaggyness’ while I can.”
That ‘real world’ ambition is to work within a sporting organisation not unlike Hawthorn or the AFL.
Spangher’s studies are an important part of his off-field life, something he said took a front seat as he battled a number of injuries while playing for Sydney.
But he says his battles at the Eagles and Swans before joining Hawthorn were a positive because they opened his eyes to the importance of planning for life after football.
“About three or four years ago I started thinking about my football mortality more than I would have liked at the time but maybe it was good in a way because I could put things in place and put a bit more work in my studies,” he said.
“I like to do a bit of work experience at the AFL when I can, I can’t do as much as I’d like to but I do what I can because football is full time.
“For me, life after footy will take me into working in a sports organization in a business sense, whether that be in footy operations, game development or something like that.”
Spangher is currently completing a business degree, which will be followed by a Masters in sports administration.
