Matt Eisenhuth
{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Matt Eisenhuth
|fullname = Matthew Eisenhuth{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/updated-team-lists-sharks-v-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/108988/default.aspx |title=Updated team lists: Sharks v Tigers |publisher=NRL.com |date= |accessdate=2017-06-17}}
|image = File:Eisenhuth,M 1781361RC.jpg
|imagesize = 290
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|08|20}}
|birth_place = Auburn, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|197|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|111|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|LK|PR}}
|club1 = Wests Tigers
|year1start = 2017
|year1end = 20
|appearances1 = 70
|tries1 = 4
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 16
|club2 = Penrith Panthers
|year2start = 2021
|year2end = present
|appearances2 = 72
|tries2 = 1
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 4
|retired =
|updated = 21 June 2025
| module = {{infobox person
| embed = yes
| father =
| mother =
| spouse =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| relatives = Tom Eisenhuth (cousin)
Paul Gallen (cousin)
}}
}}
Matt Eisenhuth (born 20 August 1992) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|lk}} for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL.
He previously played for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.
Background
Eisenhuth was born in Auburn, New South Wales, Australia.
He played his junior rugby league for the Wentworthville Magpies, before being signed by the Parramatta Eels.
Eisenhuth is the cousin of Australian international and former New South Wales State of Origin captain Paul Gallen,{{cite web|author=Rugby League |url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-preview/paul-gallens-cousin-matt-eisenhuth-to-make-nrl-debut-for-wests-tigers-against-cronulla-sharks-20170616-gwscka.html |title=Paul Gallen's cousin Matt Eisenhuth to make NRL debut for Wests Tigers against Cronulla Sharks |publisher=Smh.com.au |date= |accessdate=2017-06-17}} and of current St. George Illawarra Dragons player Tom Eisenhuth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/storm-won-t-risk-returning-stars-as-eisenhuth-stakes-claim-for-bench-role-20200917-p55whw.html|title=Storm won't risk returning stars as Eisenhuth stakes claim for bench role|first=Roy|last=Ward|date=17 September 2020|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
Playing career
=Early career=
From 2010 to 2012, Eisenhuth played for the Parramatta Eels' NYC team.{{cite web|url=https://nycdatabase.org/players/e/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925070023/http://nycdatabase.org/players/e/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=25 September 2015 |title=E |publisher=Nyc Database |date= |accessdate=2017-06-17}} In 2010, he played for the Australian Schoolboys.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2130-0-0-0&sID=26416&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=12689955|title=2010 Australian Schoolboys Team Announced - Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League|publisher=Foxsportspulse.com|date=2011-06-25|accessdate=2015-04-05}} In 2013, he graduated to the Eels' New South Wales Cup team, Wenworthville Magpies.{{cite web|url=http://www.jubileeavenue.com.au/news.php?newsid=23540 |title=St George Illawarra Dragons |publisher=Jubilee Avenue |date= |accessdate=2017-06-17}} Midway through 2013, he joined the Penrith Panthers,{{cite web|author=NRL |url=http://www.sportingjournal.com.au/2013/03/nrl-season-preview-part-3/ |title=NRL Season Preview - Part 3 |publisher=The SportingJournal |date=2013-03-06 |accessdate=2017-06-17}} after being cut by then Eels coach Ricky Stuart.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/parramatta-eels-salary-cap-scandal-whatever-happened-to-ricky-stuarts-projector-12/news-story/1809fd73e6668ca84f42a498e183480d |title=Parramatta Eels salary cap scandal: Whatever happened to Ricky Stuart's Projector 12? |publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au |date=2015-05-22 |accessdate=2017-06-17}}
In 2014, Eisenhuth overcame fears that he might not play football again, after having a tumour found in his knee. He had the tumour cut out, with the hole filled up with bone cement.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/why-tigers-forward-matt-eisenhuth-is-the-worlds-most-resilient-footballer/news-story/01dfb22fe9296619f7461a34e95aa7af |title=Matt Eisenhuth is the NRL's most resilient footballer |publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au |date=2017-06-16 |accessdate=2017-06-17}} In 2016, he joined the Wests Tigers.{{cite web|author=New South Wales Rugby League |url=http://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-nsw-isp-teams-2016-round-27/ |title=LeagueUnlimited Intrust Super Premiership NSW Teams - 2016 Round 24 |publisher=League Unlimited |date=2016-08-16 |accessdate=2017-06-17}}
=2017=
In round 15, Eisenhuth made his NRL debut for the Tigers against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks,{{cite web|author=NRL Digital Media |url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2017/06/17/late_changes_nrl_rou.af_news.html |title=Late Changes: NRL Round 15 vs. Sharks - Tigers |publisher=Weststigers.com.au |date= |accessdate=2017-06-17}} and played every remaining game of the season in first grade. After initially playing from the bench, he cemented a position starting at lock for the last 6 games of the year.
In August, Eisenhuth re-signed with the Tigers on a 2-year contract until the end of 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.zerotackle.com/wests-tigers-re-sign-matt-eisenhuth-29021/|title=Wests Tigers re-sign Matt Eisenhuth - Zero Tackle|date=31 August 2017|publisher=|accessdate=12 September 2017}} He said, "For me, it was a pretty easy decision to extend my time here. This club stood by me and gave me a shot nobody else was and they rewarded me with a debut and constant first-grade, so in my mind, I wasn’t looking to go anywhere else. I think I’ve been improving week in and week out, so I’m very happy to be here for the next couple of years."{{cite web| work= nrl.com | title=Eisenhuth re-signs with Wests Tigers | url=http://www.nrl.com/eisenhuth-re-signs-with-wests-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/111614/default.aspx|archivedate=31 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831053503/http://www.nrl.com/eisenhuth-re-signs-with-wests-tigers/tabid/10874/newsid/111614/default.aspx}}
=2018=
In round 4, Eisenhuth scored his first NRL try, against the Parramatta Eels in the Tigers' 30–20 win at ANZ Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2018/round-4/wests-tigers-vs-parramatta/summary.html|title=NRL 2018 - Round 4 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|accessdate=8 April 2018}} Midseason, he signed a further extension to remain at Wests Tigers until the end of 2020, with coach Ivan Cleary calling him, "a key member of our team".{{cite web| work= nrl.com | title=Eisenhuth re-signing ends chance of linking with cousin Gallen | url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/25/matt-eisenhuth-re-signs-with-wests-tigers-until-end-of-2020-nrl-season/}}
Towards the end of the season, Eisenhuth was a described as a player who embodies, "what it means to be a tireless worker". Leading his club in tackle counts, decoy runs, and second in support plays, he was considered one of the hardest workers in the NRL.{{cite web| work= nrl.com | title=Workhorses Eisenhuth, Jackson set for Friday night face off| author=Tanisha Stanton| url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/25/vb-hard-earned-award-round-20/|archivedate=25 July 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725062226/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/25/vb-hard-earned-award-round-20/}} He scored 2 tries and played in all 24 of the Wests Tigers games for the season.
=2019=
Eisenhuth played 21 games for Wests in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished ninth and missed out on the finals.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/robbie-farah-paul-gallen-private-chat-before-sharks-tigers/eebca170-6880-4a0b-8d1c-ddcc9088872a/|title=Robbie Farah's cryptic chat with Paul Gallen ahead of Leichhardt Oval showdown|website=WWOS}}
=2020=
On 28 September, Eisenhuth was one of eight players who were released by the Wests Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/tigers-cut-eight-players-as-they-overhaul-squad-in-attempt-to-end-finals-woes/news-story/659e6de60daa3b8a3cf2071339577ead/|title=Tigers show EIGHT players the door as Madge cleans house after another miserable season|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
On 30 October, he signed a two-year deal with Penrith, returning to the club where he played reserve grade.
=2021=
Eisenhuth played 19 games for Penrith in the 2021 NRL season and featured in the clubs qualifying final loss to South Sydney.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
=2022=
Eisenhuth played 16 games for Penrith in the 2022 NRL season. On 25 September, Eisenhuth played in Penrith's NSW Cup Grand Final victory over Canterbury.{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/draw/nsw-cup/2022/grand-final/game-1/|title=NSW Cup Grand Final 2022|website=www.nswrl.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-03/penrith-panthers-win-all-four-grades-nrl-grand-final/101495282/|title=Penrith Panthers' back-to-back NRL premierships the culmination of grand final victories across all grades|website=www.abc.net.au}}
On 2 October 2022, Eisenhuth played for Penrith in their NRL State Championship victory over Norths Devils.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/10/02/sunia-sizzles-as-panthers-down-devils-in-state-championship/|title=Sunia sizzles as Panthers down Devils in State Championship|website=www.nrl.com}}
=2023=
On 18 February, Eisenhuth played in Penrith's 13–12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64692630/|title=St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
Eisenhuth played 11 games for Penrith in the 2023 NRL season however he did not feature in the clubs finals campaign or the 2023 NRL Grand Final in which Penrith defeated Brisbane.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/01/nrl-grand-final-2023-penrith-panthers-vs-brisbane-broncos-live-updates-scores-results-teams-squads-kick-off-time-accor-stadium-sydney/|title=NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened|website=www.theguardian.com}}
=2024=
On 24 February, Eisenhuth played in Penrith's 2024 World Club Challenge final loss against Wigan. Eisenhuth played 20 games for Penrith in the 2024 NRL season. He was named as 18th man in Penrith's 2024 NRL Grand Final victory over Melbourne.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68337685/|title=World Club Challenge: Wigan Warriors 16-12 Penrith Panthers - Cherry and Whites crowned world champions for fifth time|website=www.bbc.co.uk}} Eisenhuth re-signed with the Penrith outfit on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Ethan Lee |date=2024-10-07 |title=Penrith re-sign off-contract veteran forward |url=https://www.zerotackle.com/penrith-re-sign-off-contract-veteran-forward-214947/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Zero Tackle |language=en-US}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2017
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16}} Wests Tigers |11 | | |
| 2018
|24 |2 |8 |
| 2019
|21 |1 |4 |
| 2020
|14 |1 |4 |
| 2021
| rowspan="5" |{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} Penrith Panthers |19 |1 |4 |
| 2022
|16 | | |
| 2023
|11 | | |
| 2024
|18 | | |
| 2025
|5 | | |
| |Totals
|139 |5 |20 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/penrith-panthers/matthew-eisenhuth/ Penrith Panthers profile]
- [https://www.weststigers.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/wests-tigers/matthew-eisenhuth/ Wests Tigers profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/wests-tigers/matthew-eisenhuth/ NRL profile]
{{Penrith Panthers squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eisenhuth, Matt}}
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Penrith Panthers players
Category:Rugby league players from Auburn, New South Wales
Category:Wentworthville Magpies players
Category:Windsor Wolves players