The most jacked player in footy tries to restart his AFL career after being dumped by Brisbane – and he looks VERY different now
- Rhys Mathieson has been nominated for AFL mid-season draft
- Cultheld was dropped from Lions at the end of last year
- Mathieson has completely transformed his body in his absence
Former Brisbane Lions player Rhys Mathieson is trying to return to the top after being dropped at the end of last season – and he looks like he has been very busy in the gym.
The 27-year-old midfielder, known as ‘Beast Mode’, failed to break into the Lions senior team in 2023, leading to his removal from the squad.
However, the Lions cult hero is one of more than 50 former AFL players who have nominated for the mid-season draft.
Judging from his social media posts, it’s pretty clear that Mathieson has been spending a lot of his time in the gym, which has added to his already strong frame.
Former Brisbane Lions player Rhys Mathieson has undergone an absurd body transformation since being dropped from the AFL last year
Mathieson is looking to break back into the top flight with the AFL mid-season draft
A recent Instagram post, which has received more than 5,000 likes, shows him playing football and looking like a completely different player from the one who took the field in 2023.
Mathieson’s good friend and ex-teammate, Mitch Robinson, has commented on his incredible body changes.
“I’m absolutely going to kill it, my man!” he replied to one message. “Yes, the beast,” he wrote on another.
Footy fans also responded positively to Beast Mode’s wild transformation.
“Why isn’t this guy in the AFL,” one Instagram user commented.
“Bro took the delisting personally,” another joked.
“No one is going to tackle you,” said a third.
Earlier this year it was reported that Mathieson had joined QAFL side Wilston Grang Gorillas for the 2024 season.
The ex-Lions player has been busy in the gym since the end of last season
“This is perhaps the biggest signing in our club’s rich history and all Gorillas supporters will be excited to see Rhys tear the QAFL competition apart,” the club wrote on social media.
“Matho’s signing is one of the most talked about things this offseason, across the country.
“Having based ourselves north of Brisbane and intending to remain local, the QAFL competition was starting to look like a suitable destination. After meeting the Gorillas, Matho is impressed by the program offered, enthusiastic about the trajectory of the play group and believes that the Gorillas fit together perfectly.’