What is the future for Bate, Cheney & Mcnamara?

[Don24 103]

Interested to see everyone's thoughts on what will happen going forward with these 3.

Bate has struggled to improve and could be valuable trade bait to a premiership contending side.

Cheney and Tommy Mac have had a few years now and struggled to get a game, not sure of their contracts but could be possible delistings or demoted to rookie list if possible.

[Inner Demon 1]

Demoted to rookie list...

Someone post the Picard facepalm for me.

[Eth 4]

Demoted to rookie list...

Someone post the Picard facepalm for me.

I agree about the trade Bate...excuse the pun

[Adzman 2,154]

Reality is the dees have already run the knife through the senior list with 3 spots being made available. I expect more changes to come.

Cheney is alright in my book. Lacks genuine speed and has some disposal issues, aside from that he reads the play very well and has something some footballers struggle to develop- courage. He will potentially be asked to move on the rookie list.

McNamara might be offered a rookie spot again. Has a long way to go if he wants to get there at this level. If the club thinks he has had his time, he will be moved on.

Bate to me was the big disappointment of 2010. I think he is safe for now. His name might pop up on the trade table but I do not think Bate is going anywhere. His career might hinge on his 2011 season.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

All 3 will remain on the list assuming they want to stay at Melbourne.

All 3 will face crunch years in season 2011.

Bate potential GWS player IMO.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

If push comes to shove, I'd get rid of Bate before McNamara. Bate was, without a doubt, the biggest disappointment of 2010.

Cheney is contracted, and thus is going nowhere.

[DaveyJones'sLocker 647]

IMO bate is the most selfish player on the team..

dont care if he stays or goes, he is an OK player

[drdrake 3,178]

I think PJ is gone that will give us our 4 spots, upgrade McKenzie, and 3 draft picks. These guys are safe

[beelzebub 23,377]

Reality is the dees have already run the knife through the senior list with 3 spots being made available. I expect more changes to come.

Cheney is alright in my book. Lacks genuine speed and has some disposal issues, aside from that he reads the play very well and has something some footballers struggle to develop- courage. He will potentially be asked to move on the rookie list.

McNamara might be offered a rookie spot again. Has a long way to go if he wants to get there at this level. If the club thinks he has had his time, he will be moved on.

Bate to me was the big disappointment of 2010. I think he is safe for now. His name might pop up on the trade table but I do not think Bate is going anywhere. His career might hinge on his 2011 season.

Correct !!

Cheney may luck out with some more perseverance .T Mac needs to cross all fingers and toes . Bate need look no further than Millers future if his game doest pick up and solidify .. Currently a prime candidate for senior NQR ( @afl level)

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Why is McNamara so coveted by posters?

From what I have seen at Casey he has been OK without setting the world on fire.

What role does he have in our side going forward and at who's expense?

[old dee 23,792]

Why is McNamara so coveted by posters?

From what I have seen at Casey he has been OK without setting the world on fire.

What role does he have in our side going forward and at who's expense?

I agree with you Rhino I have seen nothing from Mcnamara to suggest he will make an AFL player.

Bate stays, all teams have injuries and he is certainly in our best 25-6 players

Cheney is a honest goer but just not good enough at AFL level probably stays on next year as again we need back ups to cover injuries.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Why is McNamara so coveted by posters?

From what I have seen at Casey he has been OK without setting the world on fire.

What role does he have in our side going forward and at who's expense?

He can kick. He can play defence as well as forward. He is quite mobile for a guy of his height.

There's a lot of upside to a kid of his young age.

I've seen more in him than I've seen in Maric or Cheney. Disappointingly, IMO, both of them have contracts for 2011 and TMac doesn't.

Bate stays, all teams have injuries and he is certainly in our best 25-6 players

He was, but I'm not so sure after this year.

[beelzebub 23,377]

Bate has all the ingredients for a really good forward 50 player .. Not elite but very handy. To date he either hasn't the right recipe or not cooking right . He might surprise and do a Jamar... We could only wish .... Or he risks over trying many's patience . A good preseason and it's at his feet. Good luck Bater

[two sheds jackson 3]

Bate will stay because his upside is considerable if he can address the glaring weaknesses in his game, and because we wouldn't get much for him in a trade. Cheney will stay because he's contracted. McNamara will go because we don't have any space.

[3183 Dee 2,853]

I think Bate has copped it quite hard. Sure - the second half of the year he has fallen away, but over the previous 2 seasons he has been one of the bright spots, full of guts and running and a pretty good kick. He just needs to get a good pre-season, get his head right again and he'll be fine.

[jayceebee31 761]

Why is McNamara so coveted by posters?

From what I have seen at Casey he has been OK without setting the world on fire.

What role does he have in our side going forward and at who's expense?

TMac is only about 7 weeks older than Strauss. He is a 190 cm utility whom are hard to find.Has played in a key back position most of the year and done well; could become a half back flanker, winger..definately worth holding in my opinion.

[H_T 3,047]

Bate will stay because his upside is considerable if he can address the glaring weaknesses in his game, and because we wouldn't get much for him in a trade. Cheney will stay because he's contracted. McNamara will go because we don't have any space.

One thing going for Bate despite a so-so year is he is able to register goals regularly, he does present well despite some frustrations that he will no doubt need to improve on to stay best 22. I think he will stay. Cheney contracted, if anyone will go it could be McNamara unless he somehow gets a lifeline, ie. some other player is delisted/traded. McNamara has too much competition for spots and would need to improve considerably to get a crack and dislodge some other player.

Cannot see McNamara on a wing.

[Ewok 9]

Bate will still make it IMO.

[flamindees 16]

If Garland is used in a more attaking role and I think he will be, particularly if he's able to complete a full, uninterrupted preseason, then there is a place for MacNamara in defense if his form warrants it.

[Webber 10,468]

Bate will still make it IMO.

For a player of Matthew Bate's size and perceived playing area, i.e. inside forward 50, his inability to take a contested overhead mark is basically a career killer IMO. He is predictably easily spoilt in the overhead contest, almost without exception. This basically comes from an inability to jump slightly early at the approaching ball, thus keeping the opposition player behind him from access. Robbo was a master at this, and stuck his bum out as well, which is why he was able to take so many contested chest marks. Adem Yze also an excellent exponent. Bate just runs straight through the approaching ball without any elevation, or props at the ball's landing point, offering no body shield. This has bothered me for 2 years....can you tell? That is not to say he couldn't have a life as a midfielder, but we've got midfielders lining up at the door. Therefore I don't see where his future lies.

[Red&BlueBlood 61]

We need Bate for list depth, Tommy Mac is not up to AFL standard, Cheney signed...

Nuff said.

[Don24 103]

TMac is only about 7 weeks older than Strauss. He is a 190 cm utility whom are hard to find.Has played in a key back position most of the year and done well; could become a half back flanker, winger..definately worth holding in my opinion.

I think he has a few issues. He has had 3 seasons now without progressing significantly. But most worrying, in the player reviews for casey, multiple times they talk about him needing to keep his head in the came, maintain concentration and things along these lines. Coaches don't say these type of things lightly about players so seems that above his shoulders he may have a few weaknesses.

[Rogue 585]

TMac is only about 7 weeks older than Strauss. He is a 190 cm utility whom are hard to find.Has played in a key back position most of the year and done well; could become a half back flanker, winger..definately worth holding in my opinion.

I'm pretty sure TMac is younger.

Cannot see McNamara on a wing.

I'd be interested to see what he could do as a lead-up forward, playing a link role.

That said, he's depth. We've got plenty of talented guys that can't fit into our best 22 at the moment.

[Bay Riffin 1,474]

For a player of Matthew Bate's size and perceived playing area, i.e. inside forward 50, his inability to take a contested overhead mark is basically a career killer IMO. He is predictably easily spoilt in the overhead contest, almost without exception. This basically comes from an inability to jump slightly early at the approaching ball, thus keeping the opposition player behind him from access. Robbo was a master at this, and stuck his bum out as well, which is why he was able to take so many contested chest marks. Adem Yze also an excellent exponent. Bate just runs straight through the approaching ball without any elevation, or props at the ball's landing point, offering no body shield. This has bothered me for 2 years....can you tell? That is not to say he couldn't have a life as a midfielder, but we've got midfielders lining up at the door. Therefore I don't see where his future lies.

I am a fan of Bate, but this actually sums him up perfectly, well at least his weaknesses in any case. You would think with good coaching he would improve his contested marking, to protect the area of the ball drop.

I don't think he is a selfish footballer at all as someone suggested, but perhaps too honest, not having the nouse to get easier frees or out fox his opponent. He does the predictable but that can be good for teammates, if he is on song !!

[jayceebee31 761]

I think he has a few issues. He has had 3 seasons now without progressing significantly. But most worrying, in the player reviews for casey, multiple times they talk about him needing to keep his head in the came, maintain concentration and things along these lines. Coaches don't say these type of things lightly about players so seems that above his shoulders he may have a few weaknesses.

Accept your points however if this is the case we should get rid of Strauss, Maric, etc..- in HR terms- their is room for development, continuous improvement and IMO-McNamara has heaps. A great back up for Garland, Grimes,or as already stated an ideal winger.