Just heard Gaz say Bate is in the best 50 players in the comp and is a gun. He also said if he was in Geelong we would be all talking about this freak.

Any one else hear it?

Big call....can't say I agree with it.

Love Matty Bate, wouldn't say he's in the top 50 though.

Not sure about top 50, but I feel he is severely underrated, especially by Demonlanders. Has really improved this year, and, in a good team, as Garry said, would be even better.

I'm a big fan, while i don't know about top 50 (at the moment) I completely agree that he would be highly regarded if he was in a top team. Think he'll also finish pretty well in our b&f.

I've always thought that he has the potential to be, and he is getting better every game, but not yet. Next year maybe if he keeps it up.

Wow. Big statement. I can't understand the logic behind Bate's criticism, he's a gun.

the criticism comes from the fact that he is horrible when the ball hits the deck, he can't pick the thing up...he also has a horrible turning circle and his kicking (whilst he is a big long kick) takes too long to load up and he gets caught out with this, either being tackled, being forced to handball or getting his kick smothered. These are his negatives.

the criticism comes from the fact that he is horrible when the ball hits the deck, he can't pick the thing up...

I noticed last week he's improved in this area... There were a few times last week, where he got the ball off the deck in one grab, when it was in dispute...

Our forward line is coming together nicely. With Scully and Trengove coming in, Green will be able to play more in the fowrard line also.

HF: Bate, Watts, Pettard

FF: Wona, Jurrah, Green

That, with Maric, Jetta, Sylvia, Davey and Martin/Garland going through.

We are really starting to get some talent into this club.

I also heard Watts has grown to 197cm. With his undeniable athleticism, when he bulks up he will be an absolute superstar

I also heard Watts has grown to 197cm. With his undeniable athleticism, when he bulks up he will be an absolute superstar

On the flipside he is still a teenager, and when he finishes growing and "bulks up" he will no doubt lose some of that athleticism.

But Watts, Bate and Jurrah will be a formidable line up in years to come.

If Bate is in the top 50 then Jurrah must be in the top ten.

I noticed last week he's improved in this area... There were a few times last week, where he got the ball off the deck in one grab, when it was in dispute...

It's one of those things that he has to work hard on during the off season. Next year could be a big one for The Master.

If Bate is in the top 50 then Jurrah must be in the top ten.

If Master Matt is top 50..then Jurrah is unmeasurable ..lol

begs question though..top 50 what ?

If Master Matt is top 50..then Jurrah is unmeasurable ..lol

begs question though..top 50 what ?

Forwards

On the flipside he is still a teenager, and when he finishes growing and "bulks up" he will no doubt lose some of that athleticism.

Yeah, just like Buddy did...

Oh. Wait.

the criticism comes from the fact that he is horrible when the ball hits the deck, he can't pick the thing up...he also has a horrible turning circle and his kicking (whilst he is a big long kick) takes too long to load up and he gets caught out with this, either being tackled, being forced to handball or getting his kick smothered. These are his negatives.

He's no Newton...

The one who has no flaws...

the criticism comes from the fact that he is horrible when the ball hits the deck, he can't pick the thing up...he also has a horrible turning circle and his kicking (whilst he is a big long kick) takes too long to load up and he gets caught out with this, either being tackled, being forced to handball or getting his kick smothered. These are his negatives.

As you allude to though, he has some strengths that you'd categorise as "elite" whatever that word means. He'd be one of the longer, more reliable kicks at goal from long distance. His engine is quite good. His workrate is up there, though not many here agree. So all that together means that he's still a threat.

I doubt you'd find ANY player who doesn't have a weakness like the handful thrown up above, Freak. In fact, even if you had a handful of players WITHOUT any of those glaring faults, you're still no closer to being a star in the AFL. And there again, even if you don't have a fault AND you manage to get lucky enough to play 100+ games, it doesn't mean you're going to be all things to a club. Scully is amazing below his knees, but he's never going to play CHF.

There are SO many reasons why a player can seem average. Likewise, many of the best players in ANY position going around had so-called faults that opposition fans and coaches thought were exploitable. Harvey was slow and couldn't kick... Look what he did well into his 30s.

As far as I'm concerned, Bate's strengths are what he's putting into play at the moment. People aren't saying how weak he is below his knees, or how slow he is or whatever. They comment on what hurts the other side... What more can we ask for?

One of the problems Bater has had is that he's played at a time where delivery to forwards has been disgraceful - it just helps nothing. He also appears to just cruise around. I think that this year's been his most consistent and his performances have been improving. I think many of melbourne's players are pretty decent, but that without stars around them they don't compare as well to players in other teams who have those stars.

One of the problems Bater has had is that he's played at a time where delivery to forwards has been disgraceful - it just helps nothing. He also appears to just cruise around. I think that this year's been his most consistent and his performances have been improving. I think many of melbourne's players are pretty decent, but that without stars around them they don't compare as well to players in other teams who have those stars.

Too true.

Would definately absolutely agree with gaz.. if it was this time, next year..

Wont be long before he is seen in this light

What do i love about the masta?

HE NEVER GOES TO GROUND!!! Besides G. Ablett and S. Dew he is the strongest player in the Afl through the hips - which means he rarely goes to ground and therefore makes 99% of contests that he can physically be involved in.

I think Bate's strength is running in straight lines and lots.

He's not overly agile, or good at twisting and turning, squeezing through tight spaces.

He's actually not suited to working in the confined spaces of deep in the forward line, even if he is a good strong contested mark.

It doesn't play to any of his other strengths, of long-kicking, a good engine and breaking lines because he can't build up the speed in the short distances.

He is good in a straight line and he has quite reasonable pace - his acceleration is not great but once up to speed he is enough to be a handful. His bodysize is nice now too and he will draw defenders b/c he's a good kick at goal from set shot or on the run.

When Melbourne are on the Rise and Seriously Challenging. Matty Bate will be a gun.

Imagine what he would do with accurate Bullet Passes, don't judge him on our current midfield delivery.

Matty Bate could be somewhere near Steve Johnson playing with a class midfield.

He works so hard.

If Master Matt is top 50..then Jurrah is unmeasurable ..lol

begs question though..top 50 what ?

Gingers.

the criticism comes from the fact that he is horrible when the ball hits the deck, he can't pick the thing up...he also has a horrible turning circle and his kicking (whilst he is a big long kick) takes too long to load up and he gets caught out with this, either being tackled, being forced to handball or getting his kick smothered. These are his negatives.

This is more crap. He has improved markedly below his knees, is showing great strength and dash through the middle and will become a real weapon for this club. Move on, stop pulling out these tied old lines about players it seems you aren't even watching.