It has been almost ten months since the 22-year-old last tasted AFL action, after undergoing season-ending surgery on a serious ankle injury.
Now that he is back to full fitness, Matera says he is hungrier than ever to reclaim his spot in front of goal.
“It has been a while so I’m itching to get back out there,” Matera told SUNS TV.
“I played a couple of NAB Cup games but I’m really looking forward to round one, should ‘Bluey’ (Guy McKenna) pick me!”
When healthy, Matera’s speed and smarts at ground level have made him a hard match-up against opposition defenders.
Although fans will have to wait until Thursday evening to find out Guy McKenna’s round one team, Matera’s ability inside the forward 50 means he is a near certainty to make his comeback against Richmond on Saturday.
If selected, Matera says his side will be ready to match the Tigers’ toughness at stoppages.
“Obviously they made finals last year and they’re shaping up to be a good team this year, but obviously we want to make finals as well and play well against the good teams in the competition.
“So we are looking forward to training with real intensity this week and playing the way we want to play.”
