Matthew Bate

[rpfc 28,432]

There is a place for him in the 22 if he can regain form.

Dunn has got his spot at the minute, perhaps.

But Lynden is, as Lynden does...

I wouldn't be trading out either because I couldn't tell you which one of them is going to be 'on' in 2011.

[beelzebub 23,376]

You're not a required player simply because you can't get a trade ... That makes him untradable !! Required means we need you at the MFC to play . The reality is with Watts Jurrah Petterd Sylvia Dunn Wonna Green , Davey at times and say Hale/Jamar standing the square there's not a lot of grass left for others. Bate is going to have to reinvent himself with a good "others side" (defensive presure) but this is the preserve of those who are both agile and quick to react; neither are his forte.. Just how I see it

[beelzebub 23,376]

There is a place for him in the 22 if he can regain form.

Dunn has got his spot at the minute, perhaps.

But Lynden is, as Lynden does...

I wouldn't be trading out either because I couldn't tell you which one of them is going to be 'on' in 2011.

Again .. A there is a spot reply!! Too generic

Where & why ?

[rpfc 28,432]

Again .. A there is a spot reply!! Too generic

Where & why ?

Bate's best is a very hard leading HFF type that he does better than any at the club at the minute. Watts getting there though.

I repeat: If you regain form Matthew, you can play AFL for Melbourne in 2011 and beyond.

Is that less generic?

[beelzebub 23,376]

Bate's best is a very hard leading HFF type that he does better than any at the club at the minute. Watts getting there though.

I repeat: If you regain form Matthew, you can play AFL for Melbourne in 2011 and beyond.

Is that less generic?

Much better ... Could have said that in first place. As HFF Jurrah and Sylvia have him covered... Both have much better defensive skills as well as attacking games. Bate seems to enjoy the 50-60 arc as a link up attacking style utillity mid.. Problem is he will be down the list now for any midfield role ... Lots of competition there now. Bate has a great kick and when left insufficienyl covered he can damage from a distance .. Buts be nice that's pretty much a 1(1-1/2) trick pony territory. He gets exposed when matched up.

[jnrmac 20,065]

Terry Wallace has a saying that he flogged to death yesterday on Draft Radio. "Trade a player one year early rather than one year late".

And of course Terry Wallace has an impeccable drafting record - Ha ha ha ha

[beelzebub 23,376]

Wrt Bate would most concur for him to fight back into the best 22 he needs to 1) return to and maintain fitness/form and 2) develop a defensive side to his game ?

[rpfc 28,432]

Much better ... Could have said that in first place. As HFF Jurrah and Sylvia have him covered... Both have much better defensive skills as well as attacking games. Bate seems to enjoy the 50-60 arc as a link up attacking style utillity mid.. Problem is he will be down the list now for any midfield role ... Lots of competition there now. Bate has a great kick and when left insufficienyl covered he can damage from a distance .. Buts be nice that's pretty much a 1(1-1/2) trick pony territory. He gets exposed when matched up.

Thanks, BB59.

Let's be honest, though.

You are the hardest person to read on this board.

You are not giving him enough credit because it isn't fresh in the mind. The Bulldogs game this year was impressive.

Look, he has his limitations but no-one in our forward line has his tank, no-one.

No.

No-one.

Why are you arguing?

No-one.

[H_T 3,047]

GOLD.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

There is a place for him in the 22 if he can regain form.

Dunn has got his spot at the minute, perhaps.

But Lynden is, as Lynden does...

I wouldn't be trading out either because I couldn't tell you which one of them is going to be 'on' in 2011.

Pretty much sums it up. Both guys deserve praise, and some chagrin. Both guys would stroll comfortably onto any list in the AFL.

It's all about asking price for me. If the GC suddenly got high and offered us something around pick 7 or 9 for either player, I think everyone here would be overjoyed. It's not that we SHOULDN'T trade them. Every player in the AFL has a price. It's a question of what for.

Also, if Hale comes to the dees (why wouldn't he, sensational opportunity for him), then that puts added pressure on these guys, along with Watts and Jurrah somewhat, as I reckon he'll play more as a stay-at-home forward than anything.

[Disco Demons 92]

i heard bate was offered a three year deal with west coast and more money...turned it down to stay with melb.

need bate with miller gone.

[e25 5]

i heard bate was offered a three year deal with west coast and more money...turned it down to stay with melb.

need bate with miller gone.

Why?

Somebody has to kick goals for Casey..?

SNAP!

(fwiw I think Bate will play a lot of seniors footy in 2011)

[Guest grimes4]

Both guys would stroll comfortably onto any list in the AFL.

Couldn't see many sides taking Dunn. Top 20 pick who has done next to NOTHING! when has he stood up when we NEED him? only ok games this year were against the lesser sides! I remember hearing him being interviewed before a game earlier this year and I think it was Dermie who blunty said you have all the capabilities to be a good player e.g. height,size engine etc but why havent you done anything! Was certainly hinting at something to do with application i reckon!

[beelzebub 23,376]

For the benefit of rpfc I should use little words possibly ..

No one had the tank ? Hmm a broad brush containing liitle sustance. Even if true, and I don't agree what relevance to Bates as a required player ?

Matty has only mustered slightly more that half a dozen better than handy games in last two seasons. Is very up and down but do concede some is due to fitness/injury. But none of that matters if you're really driven by the bottom line of success.

If you were touting more than the occasional game where he stood out you'd have more currency. This sort of return is more the exception than the rule. Hardly satisfactory nor sufficient to stem the tide of other players knocking on the door for spots.

Edited October 6, 2010 by belzebub59

[Disco Demons 92]

Why?

Somebody has to kick goals for Casey..?

SNAP!

(fwiw I think Bate will play a lot of seniors footy in 2011)

i knew you'd take the 'bate'

smashed ya on that one E25

Edited October 6, 2010 by disco_demon

[Summer Blease 0]

You've sort of contradicted yourself here Nostra.

I agree, who'd take advice from Plough? But then you're saying that if Bate doesn't perform next year he's gone. What do you mean by gone? You wont get anything in the trade next year for him if he performs badly again.

This is where Wallace's statement has a lot of merit. In case of Bate - he may have trade value this year, do we take the plunge and get rid of him? at least we will be compensated higher this year than we would on the back of a poor 12 months in 2011.

I meant gone as a player, as in taken over by the youngsters currently improving and waiting in the wings for debut.

I would rather us retain him as I rate him, but I feel another inconsistent year and it could be his last- with us at least.

It is a catch 22 in a way, but I feel the difference in any trade value between now and whenever would pale in comparison to the asset that Bate can be.