Thanks so munch for the reports.

We under-rate Bater pretty consistently. One of my uncles is a mongrel C'wood supporter, and he rates Bate as one of our best players.

Bate was very consistent last year, and I think makes the difficult look straight forward, that's the problem I think in him being underrated.

I watched him in our intra club last year on valentines day, and Frawley played on him. Frawley was all over him, he looked too quick, too strong and beat him in the one on one marking contests, but somehow, especially in heavy traffic, Bate lost his man and was able to find space on his own, usually by reading the play more quickly, especially from turnovers. I thought Frawley did everything right as well.

Bate has the football smarts most of us here crave in our players, and appears to methodically get a little better each year. 4th in and the best and fairest as a half forward is pretty special when you think about it. not the easiest position to play in a weak side.

A key position forward? I truelly doubt that. he doesn't play tall even if his height looks ok. Great if he did, but he is providing great service as a half forward right now.

Edited January 8, 201016 yr by Bay Riffin

Bate was very consistent last year, and I think makes the difficult look straight forward, that's the problem I think in him being underrated.

I watched him in our intra club last year on valentines day, and Frawley played on him. Frawley was all over him, he looked too quick, too strong and beat him in the one on one marking contests, but somehow, especially in heavy traffic, Bate lost his man and was able to find space on his own, usually by reading the play more quickly, especially from turnovers. I thought Frawley did everything right as well.

Bate has the football smarts most of us here crave in our players, and appears to methodically get a little better each year. 4th in and the best and fairest as a half forward is pretty special when you think about it. not the easiest position to play in a weak side.

A key position forward? I truelly doubt that. he doesn't play tall even if his height looks ok. Great if he did, but he is providing great service as a half forward right now.

In patches last season he was easily our best lead up fwd. His major down fall is his lack of seperation from his opponent, he can't get any. If he can improve his take off speed he will improve ten fold as our lead up the ground fwd.

In my previous posts- I forgot to mention my delight to see Newton going hard at the ball-and his kicking seemed to improve dramatically. Maybe being dropped to a rookie will give him the wake up call he needed. Hope the same goes for John Meeson.

Edited January 9, 201016 yr by jayceebee31

I also attended yesterday and wanted to mention four standout points but had not had access to the internet until now. It is good that others have mentioned these earlier so it was not just me that had noticed.

1) Matty Bate is huge and to me has definitely developed his body over the summer with eyes on a true key forward role.

2) Grimes acceleration was exceptional and not something I had noted from last year.

3) Sylvia and Jones appeared to have fined down somewhat but still maintain good size.

4) If anyone had doubts prior, ink Trengove in for round 1 after watching todays match simulation.

Based on today's session I would expect Strauss and Maric to be this year's big improvers.

Edited January 9, 201016 yr by big_red_fire_engine

I don't think Garland was involved in any of the drill that I saw.

Correct

I don't think Garland was involved in any of the drill that I saw.

I concur

I also attended yesterday and wanted to mention four standout points but had not had access to the internet into now. It is good that others have mentioned these earlier so it was not just me that had noticed.

1) Matty Bate is huge and to me has definitely developed his body over the summer with eyes on a true key forward role.

2) Grimes acceleration was exceptional and not something I had noted from last year.

3) Sylvia and Jones appeared to have fined down somewhat but still maintain good size.

4) If anyone had doubts prior, ink Trengove in for round 1 after watching todays match simulation.

Based on today's session I would expect Strauss and Maric to be this year's big improvers.

A very good summation of the highlights although I would put Grimes at the top of the list. Matty Bate looks like a key forward but I'd like to see him take more contested overhead marks before I would play him as a KPF.

I would play Matty Bate out of the goal square in the NAB cup and NAB cup challenge matches to see how he goes.

I don't think Garland was involved in any of the drill that I saw.

correct, garland goes to the swimming pools or the bike track, garland could start preparing for the tour de france.

I concur

He WAS running and he WAS handballing - he wasn't kicking and he did go bike riding

Edited January 9, 201016 yr by joeboy

Great reports for us marooned in Sydney. Many thanks!