He was recruited as one of twelve 17-year-olds made available to Gold Coast under the AFL's draft concessions.

[2] Matera came up through the junior system of the South Fremantle Football Club and represented Western Australia at under-16 and under-18 levels.

Matera was named in the 2009 Under-18 All Australian team following the 2009 AFL National Under-18 Championships.

Matera made his debut in Round 2, 2011, in the Gold Coast Suns inaugural AFL match against Carlton at the Gabba.

He kicked 4 goals, and for his efforts was the round 5 nomination for the 2011 AFL Rising Star.