As a kid, Matthew Leskiw loved watching Geelong captain Joel Selwood playing for one reason – his toughness.
Selwood was fearless and relentless in a contest – and like many young aspiring AFL players, Leskiw tried to play just like him.
“I loved how tough he was … I definitely took a few too many head knocks trying to play like him when I was younger,” he said.
According to Bull Sharks S&C coach, Matt Kennedy, Leskiw has a similar impact on his teammates.
"He would be the most beloved player at the club," Kennedy said.
"His teammates call him the 'truck', because he will keep working to the very finish and will carry his teammates with him."
Leskiw is excited about the Cats’ finals chances but before he can turn his attention to the big league, he’ll have to focus on a ‘granny’ a little closer to home.
The Bachelor of Laws and Commerce student is a part of the Bull Sharks QFA senior men's team which have secured a Grand Final berth next Saturday after beating Carrara on the weekend by eight points.
If they win, it will be the first time in this decade that the Bull Sharks men have taken home a premiership.
Born and bred on the Gold Coast, Leskiw hasn’t forgotten his Melburnian roots or the family connection that made him a Cats fan for life.
“My mum’s side is a massive AFL family,” Leskiw said.
“My great grandfather Gerard Barrett played for the Cats back in 1944.
“He only played for one season but it’s kind of funny because now the whole family is enamoured with Geelong.”
The 2025 season at Bond is Leskiw’s first after a three-season break from footy following a series of stress fractures in his back.
“It was pretty disheartening because I had to put in the work for trials for teams and I had to stop all that.
“I just didn’t have the heart to go back to it, but I’m glad I have now.”
It was the familiar face of Brisbane Lions great and Bond AFL’s strength and condition coach Matthew Kennedy which got Leskiw back on the field.
“Maxy (Matthew Kennedy) used to be my coach in junior footy and I knew he was coaching at Bond, so I gave him a ring to find out what the club was all about,” Leskiw said.
“The club has an incredible culture and everyone's really tight.
“I can’t speak more highly of the culture here.
“We have a group from across Australia. When you walk through the carpark to training, there's a car from every state.”
The ruckman is back in the senior side after a torn lateral collateral ligament in his knee, sustained earlier in the season against Coomera, put him out for six weeks.
“I’m hoping I can kick a goal in the Grand Final,” Leskiw said.
“The nerves haven’t hit yet but I’m sure next week they will.
“I’m mostly excited right now and still on a high from the weekend.
“I’m really thrilled with how that result went.”