AFL star powers on in a whole new game
Once best known as the brightest spark in West Coast's forward line, former electrical apprentice Phil Matera now stands at the head of a fast-growing WA business empire.
It is 10 years since Matera, who followed older brothers Wally and Peter to the Eagles, where he played 179 games, started a small electrical contracting business.
Today, his five-pronged Matera Group operation has what is understood to be more than $80 million worth of work contracts across WA on its books.
The 38-year-old declined to discuss the financial clout of Matera Group, which has diversified from electrical work into cabinetry, building, solar and supply.
But he confirmed he had moved forward significantly from the days when he earned $167 a week as a first-year electrical apprentice in Wagin, with $50 of that going to his mother for board.
"I just wanted to be able to try and make the same amount of money as I was playing footy and so far I've been able to do that," Matera said.
"We've currently got some nice work. It's a long time and a long process to get all that work done, but we're heading down the right path."
He took a keen interest in how teammates, including superstar brother Peter, adapted to life after football and wanted to ensure he had a strong career path by the time he retired in 2005.
The previous year, knowing his playing days would soon end, he started his first business and a $400,000 contract in Mandurah in late 2004 gave it momentum.
Dual premiership Eagles such as Don Pyke, Tony Evans and Peter Wilson, all successful in business, were also his mentors and role models.
Matera also has plans to expand the business into the lucrative oil and gas sector.
He has full ownership of the group's cabinetry and construction arms, 60 per cent of supply and 50 per cent of electrical and solar in a company which has 65 employees.
He said he initially used money made from his electrical business to buy an edge-bander and a saw to start his group's cabinetry arm.
His empire now deals with some of WA's biggest companies, plus State and local government.
He said he was particularly proud of Matera Solar's achievements recently in building what he described as WA's biggest flat-roof system, a 190kW unit at a business in Jandakot.
His solar business kicked off in 2009 when he sold 1000 systems in eight hours at Claremont Oval.
