Brendan Matthews running off 16m showed the benefit of a great winter base to storm to victory in the prestigious Bendigo Black Opal 400m Gift.

The 2 time Stawell Gift finalist look fantastic through the heat and semi final and starting from the second back mark in the Final.

This is the first Black Opal for the MattyB DEPT. with Tom Burbidge going close 3 years ago finishing 2nd. to Matt Grant.

He will now focus on running the 400m at the Open Nationals in April.

Jaryd Cowley also made it through to the semi final of the Gift.

Final Footage.