The Kyabram midfield supremo wasted no time stamping his authority on yesterday's grand final, within five minutes gliding inside 50 to slot the game's opening major with trademark class, prompting a passionate, fired up celebration from the league's standout player.
It was the perfect start for Mattingly's perfect day and it completed his perfect season; Morrison Medal, Barry Connolly Medal for best in finals, premiership - what more could you ask for?
Of his first senior premiership, Mattingly gave every piece of credit to his formidable team.
“It was a bit of relief, but mostly pride,” Mattingly, 23, said.
“Proud of this club, this group, it takes a hell of an effort to be at the top of the ladder and undefeated all year.
“The other clubs are just chasing you and you're the hunted as they say, the other clubs just want to beat you and they give everything they've got.
“It takes more than a team, this club is built on love and care for each other, we're all best mates and I think that shows on the footy field.”
Relocating to Kyabram at the start of last season - a town he somewhat ashamedly admitted to never having heard of - Mattingly has quickly put himself in elite company as just the 10th GVL player to win a premiership and a Morrison Medal in the same season, just the second Bomber to do so after Jeff Cooper in 1958.
He poured praise on coach Paul Newman for the beautiful atmosphere he has created, as well as harnessing the best from an extraordinary side.
“It's just the love around the place and I think that starts with the coach,” Mattingly said.
“He's more our best mate than he is our coach, we were just so proud of him and so happy we could get it for him today.
“It's what he deserves, he is an unbelievable servant of the footy club.”
Regarding his opening goal and subsequent celebration, he laughed at how he had handled one hell of an adrenaline rush.
“I carried on a little bit there I think - I walked back to the middle and I sort of thought 'oh no',” he said with a laugh.
“But it's good to get things moving at the start, you gee yourself up all week for the start of the grand final, and when you can kick a goal in the first couple of minutes, obviously all the emotion that was building up came out.”
Mattingly, who joked on Morrison Medal night he had banned his mother from driving down from hometown Wagga Wagga to attend the count, beamed with pride at the thought of winning the flag with her in attendance.
“She's down, she had my little brother's grand final in Wagga yesterday in the under-17s and he won - two from two this weekend, so she'll be a very happy lady,” he said with a smile.
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