Matthew Elliott (born 8 December 1964) is an Australian professional rugby league football coach, commentator and former player. He has previously coached in the NRL with the Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers and the New Zealand Warriors, as well the Bradford Bulls in the Super League and the United States national team. Elliott is currently the Assistant Coach at the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Playing career Born on Thursday Island, Elliott grew up in Townsville in far north Queensland. Elliott played for Bondi United and was an Eastern Suburbs Roosters lower grade player. He played two seasons with French club, Le Pontet, winning the league and cup double in 1987-88. Between 1989 and 1992 Elliott played 61 games for the St. George Dragons. At the end of the 1992 NSWRL season Elliott played for the Dragons off the bench in their grand final loss against the Brisbane Broncos. Coaching career Injury cut Elliotts playing career short and he became an assistant to Brian Smith at the Dragons. Bradford Bulls Elliott followed Smith to the Bradford Bulls in 1996, before taking over as head coach. Elliott won the Super League title in his first season. In 1997 and 1999 he was named the Super League coach of the Year. He coached the Bradford Bulls to the 1999 Super League Grand Final which was lost to St. Helens. Canberra After serving as assistant to Canberra Raiders coach Mal Meninga during the 2001 NRL season, Elliott was made coach for the 2002 premiership. During his tenure at the Raiders, Canberra won 59 and drew one of their 125 games, including four finals appearances in five seasons. Elliott's most successful coaching season was 2003, when the Raiders won 16 of 24 games but were eliminated from the finals without winning a game. Penrith On 19 February 2006, it was announced that Elliott would coach the Penrith Panthers from 2007 onwards, having signed a three-year deal. Elliott succeeded John Lang in this position. In September 2008, Elliott was criticized for Penrith's consistent poor showings and it was speculated that he would be prematurely sacked before he saw through his three-year contract with the club. Elliott however defied the pressure and criticism and managed to convince the board into letting him remain in charge for the 2009 season. After a promising start to the 2009 season, Elliott's contract was extended to the end of the 2011 season.