Shepparton Gators legend Matthew Bartlett is hanging up the Kobes.
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After more than a decade of basketball with Shepparton’s Big V side, seeing the club return to Big V basketball and into the championship division, Bartlett will watch from the sidelines in 2026 - and that’s not from the bench either.
Bartlett, who played more than 200 games for the Gators in the Big V, announced his retirement from the sport in November through an Instagram post filled with nostalgia and a touching message to a wealth of supporters through his journey.
A playmaking magician and knock down shooter, Bartlett’s career highlights are long-winding, but Big V championships and promotion to division one and then to the Championship Division in 2014 and 2023 are the top tier picks of the bunch.
Individually, Bartlett has long been regarded as a Big V or NBL1 gem.
He played over 100 games at the SEABL, now NBL1, level for the Bendigo Braves, and featured in many Big V All-Star and Vic Country games.
Bartlett won the Big V division two league’s most valuable player in 2014, his first season back in Gators blue, was named as an All-Star three times and is a two-time finals MVP in the Country Basketball League.
While the former captain was playing on effectively half the minutes he’s enjoyed across recent years, averaging 1.3 points, 1.7 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game this season, Basketball Victoria lists his career average across his last 98 matches to be 8.5 points, 4.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and one steal per game, depicting Bartlett as a weapon on either end of the floor.
But besides the silverware, the individual accolades, memorable lights-out shooting displays and jaw dropping dimes, Bartlett’s passion for a quality basketball pathway in Shepparton shines brightest.
“When I first started, it was a while ago and the Gators had folded,” Bartlett said.
“We had gotten relegated so I left and went to Darebin and Bendigo, played a bit of NBL1.
“The Gators’ side restarted in 2013 and I joined in 2014.
“I grew up watching them so I wanted to put a lot of time and effort into getting them back to where they belong.
“I played a big hand in restarting things in COVID times, and put a lot of effort in rebranding the Gators to get it to where it’s gotten to.
“You know, it puts on such a great show now and creating such a successful team has been really cool.”
Bartlett’s love for the Gators runs deep.
As aforementioned, the point guard has been with the club for more than a decade, assisting in its reformation in the Big V competition, and building a winning culture that oversaw its promotion to the top flight of state basketball in Victoria.
However, with the birth of his first child Elsie, the choice that was already being wrestled with soon became a content decision.
“It (the decision to retire) was a combination of things,” Bartlett said.
“I don’t have that full want and drive to go that full season, I know the task required and what it takes.
“But I also just had a little baby girl come into my world and my priorities have changed with her.
“I’m really happy spending time at home and building the next phase of my life.
“It was still a difficult (decision), I did want to go around again with my teammates, I said to the boys earlier I’m going to find it difficult stepping away since it has been such a big part of my life.
“I’ve spent a long time with them, but ultimately I am happy and content with my decision.”
Bartlett admitted the thoughts began circulating towards the back end of an arduous Gators campaign, where the club fell shy of back-to-back playoff berths.
Already playing a critical role off the bench in the squad, mixed with numerous high stakes games to finish the season as the Gators fought for a playoffs position, Bartlett recognised it was taking a toll.
“I started thinking about it towards the end of the season,” he said.
“It does take a lot out of you, playing full seasons year in, year in, year in.”
Bartlett also revealed the club is set to relegate down to division one of the Big V next season, which signals a new chapter and time to build a fresh phase, indicating that the veteran has done all he could.
“With the club moving back down to division one as well, it’s where I’d like to leave it,” Bartlett said.
“There’s no harm going down (out of the championship division), but going backwards didn’t appeal to me as much, with it (retirement) already on my mind.”
But Bartlett’s not going away from the scene entirely.
While he won’t tuck in the number four jersey in 2026, Bartlett’s basketball facility will help him keep in touch with his lifelong connections made in a Gators uniform.
“I’ve got quite a few boys that come in at the Bucket Centre, I’ve popped in to summer league trainings, you know I’m happy to jump in and help out where ever, I’m excited to watch the team develop now,” Bartlett said on his post-retirement involvement.
With his immeasurable affiliation to the club, and a support crew that runs deep, Bartlett will only remember his career with the utmost fondness.
“Shout out to all the supporters and amazing family who travelled with me,” Bartlett said.
“It has been nothing short of spectacular.”