Mathew Bate - Lateral Thinking Needed

[Cranky Franky 2,089]

At the moment Bate is lost. He lost his mojo last year & it is still missing.

His first 3 or so years were good & he looked like he would be a top line player. ATM he is not

quite a lead up marking player & not quite a flanker.

The Brains Trust needs to try something new with him maybe on the ball maybe full back maybe half back flank. Look how Tarrant managed to reinvent himself. Bate is strong, quick tall & reads the play well.

Come on Bailey try something !!!!!

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,906]

Putting him to the backline might be an option, but he can only kick on the left. Mind you, Scott Lucas played OK when sent to CHB. I certainly think trialling him in the backline at Casey is a worthwhile development.

[TT's Demons 1]

At the moment Bate is lost. He lost his mojo last year & it is still missing.

His first 3 or so years were good & he looked like he would be a top line player. ATM he is not

quite a lead up marking player & not quite a flanker.

The Brains Trust needs to try something new with him maybe on the ball maybe full back maybe half back flank. Look how Tarrant managed to reinvent himself. Bate is strong, quick tall & reads the play well.

Come on Bailey try something !!!!!

He had little impact on the game at Casey on Saturday and on that performance, is a fair way off returning to AFL.

[stuie 7,374]

Look, I like Bate, but why would you put a player who can't seem to raise his arms past his shoulders in the backline?

[old55 23,687]

Some lateral movement needed - that's why he'll never make it in the backline - I plead guilty to suggesting he be tried at FB when he arrived and we were poor down there but I've come to see why it couldn't work. He's in trouble.

[e25 5]

I agree.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

I second that.

He is a bit lost at the moment. A bit sad really considering some of the good games he has played in the past.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Where do you put a guy who is tall(ish), strong, a booming kick, and is quick only in a straight line?

Answer: The goal square.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Having poor agility, turning speed and athleticism in today's game already puts you on the back foot. One may have been able to get away with that some years ago but not now.

It means you either have to be a gorilla forward or back KPP, but when you can barely mark the ball out in front, you're in trouble. He is no Brown, Hall or Fev.

So where does he fit?

It doesn't look good for Matty.

Have said it all along.. The guy just isn't a 2011 AFL footballer.

[Fork 'em 6,990]

Where do you put a guy who is tall(ish), strong, a booming kick, and is quick only in a straight line?

Answer: The goal square.

Not stong enough on the lead or in the air , huge turning circle that only turns 1 way .

Edited March 28, 2011 by Fork 'em

[Red Sox 2]

There is much of the season to be played out yet but I agree there are some concerns.

Would he had the same impact as Rick P yesterday? Not likely and although he is the type to work into a game, not sure he can be the pressure forward without the ball.

[Robbie57 2,022]

I reckon back line is worth a try for him.

What do we have to lose?

[Harrisonrules 273]

Look, I like Bate, but why would you put a player who can't seem to raise his arms past his shoulders in the backline?

Agree but its not just raising the arms, the crux of the problem is his inability to jump. He's not a competative marik. A tall who plays small

[stuie 7,374]

Where do you put a guy who is tall(ish), strong, a booming kick, and is quick only in a straight line?

Answer: The goal square.

He plays about a foot or two shorter than he is though, have watched him closely over the journey and he just seems to struggle to extend his arms out straight and raise them above shoulder level.

He's had some good games and great moments, and hope we hang on to him, but it would only be for the sake of depth and probably only til some of the 2010 draftees are ready.

[Harrisonrules 273]

I reckon back line is worth a try for him.

What do we have to lose?

I'd give him a go on the wing. Learn to get free to receive, turn in toward the centre and boom the ball forward. High contested marking is not quite the issue on the wing ( his weekness ). Some times he could drift forward to the 50 mtre line for a mark and a 95% chance of a goal would follow.

[stuie 7,374]

I'd give him a go on the wing. Learn to get free to receive, turn in toward the centre and boom the ball forward. High contested marking is not quite the issue on the wing ( his weekness ). Some times he could drift forward to the 50 mtre line for a mark and a 95% chance of a goal would follow.

Not a terrible idea, but can't see him beating out current players for a spot unless we either have more injuries or he has some great games for Casey.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Really liked what Bate provided a couple of years back but can't see getting back in the side.

Agility, athleticism and skills on both sides of the body are essential now all over the ground and Bater just doesn't tick enough of those boxes.

[Redleg 41,409]

I reckon back line is worth a try for him.

What do we have to lose?

Plenty of goals against.

[rpfc 28,736]

Bate is losing his battle, but i'm sure he will have some chance during the year to give it a crack.

Can't play backline, could play wing but he is deficient when he has to move laterally so I would say he would want to scope out FF or be a sub.

That way everyone is as quick as him...

[old dee 23,870]

Not stong enough on the lead or in the air , huge turning circle that only turns 1 way .

Agree with you Fork em I have always said he is too "left centric" and all his opponents know it.

Sooner rather than later he goes left, as a defender you can bet on it.

I like him if only for the hair but you wonder if he is good enough!

[Steamin Demon 392]

Never been a fan of Bate for all the reasons mentioned above. I believe this is his last year of his contract and injuries aside I doubt we will see him in the red & blue again. GWS ??

[gOLLy 401]

Look, I like Bate, but why would you put a player who can't seem to raise his arms past his shoulders in the backline?

Or ankle high off the ground.

Sad really. I hate to see any AFL player drift into darkness. But saying that were here for depth and premierships.

Sadley I don't think he is neither.

May prove me wrong. I just can't see it. Not for a long time actually.

[e25 5]

Never been a fan of Bate for all the reasons mentioned above. I believe this is his last year of his contract and injuries aside I doubt we will see him in the red & blue again. GWS ??

I think GWS would be aiming a bit higher, but he'd be a handy mature forward while they develop the drafted talls.

GC Suns won't have much up forward this season.

I said last trade period he should have been used as bait, but who knows? Maybe he was, or maybe he'll improve dramatically over the course of the season.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Having poor agility, turning speed and athleticism in today's game already puts you on the back foot. One may have been able to get away with that some years ago but not now.

It means you either have to be a gorilla forward or back KPP.....

He certainly wont survive as a KPB and as you have point outed his marking is not outstanding to counter the other areas of his game. I dont think he is tall enough for either KPF or KPB.

If he is going to make his mark he needs to do so in the 1st half of this year otherwise he will be relying injury and the form of others to get a run in the seniors.

[Demon Tragic 0]

he should have been used as bait, but who knows?

Pun intended??!!