While the wet conditions prevented the much-loved defender from completing his lap of honour in the back seat of a Volkswagen, Mattner, armed with a red and white umbrella, walked the boundary and shook hands and signed autographs for many of his loyal supporters.
Speaking to SwansTV’s Beyond the Boundary following his lap of the SCG, Mattner said the support he received on the night was ‘amazing’.
“The crowd were really good despite the weather and it was just great to see so many people here,” he said.
“There were a few people that I’d seen before and a lot of people who used to work at the club as well, so it was great to see so many of them out here, and the support tonight has just been amazing.”
Click the video player above to watch fans’ messages to Marty and his lap of honour on Friday night.
Mattner hung up his boots ahead of the Swans’ round 11 clash with Adelaide following a number of weeks on the sidelines battling a debilitating hip injury and did not get the chance to play a final farewell match.
Despite being disappointed to have not pulled on the red and white guernsey one last time, the 30-year-old said he felt Friday night’s lap of honour felt like a fitting way to put a full stop on his 12-year playing career.
“I would have loved to have played one last game but it wasn’t that way, but the crowd have been amazing and I’ve really enjoyed it,” Mattner said.
“I loved the night, it’s been amazing.”
The 222-gamer took the opportunity to thank both the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans for giving him the opportunity to play at the highest level, as well as his family and friends for their support along the way.
“I just want to thank family, friends and both clubs,” Mattner said.
“Firstly Adelaide, who gave me the opportunity to start playing AFL footy, and then the Swans who gave me an opportunity I didn’t see at Adelaide.
“To play in a Grand Final last year was the end of a great career and even though I played a few games this year I just really enjoyed last year and the way we played and the boys and the club and the way we won it was just so great.
“To be part of all of that has been amazing.”
