Mathew Bate - Lateral Thinking Needed

[dee-luded 2,958]

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.

If he had One grab Hands.

[DeeSpencer 23,689]

I don't think he'll be any better as a defender. But at the same time I didn't think Tarrant could do it either. He's certainly out of it as a forward at the moment, and as a midsized player he's going to be hard pressed to get past Petterd, Jurrah, Dunn or Green.

I'd say give it a go. It can only help his forward game to try him there, instead of him slowly wasting away by playing more average VFL footy.

[e25 5]

Pun intended??!!

Embarrassingly unintended and unnoticed.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I love Matty Bate.... but unless they find a spot for him... he's going to have to go.

[Mad_Melbourne 872]

to be honest, getting games into dunn, jurrah, watts, take priority on bate.

petterd is ahead of him

and then really id rather see howe getting a gig than bate

chalk him up as done and dusted id say, end of season see ya later, if only he could pack mark, and use his speed to chase opponents

[jayceebee31 692]

I agree.

Also me- however a good emergency if and when injury occurs at this time.I hope he does a Dunn like act and turns his future around.

Edited March 29, 2011 by jayceebee31

[e25 5]

I'm worried his physical limitations will prevent that happening...

[jamar 0]

massive fan of bate when we were struggling... not saying this is going to happen... but with his biggger upper body and his accurate left foot kick towards goal .. could he fill a simmilar position chris dawes does at collingwood

[DeeSpencer 23,689]

massive fan of bate when we were struggling... not saying this is going to happen... but with his biggger upper body and his accurate left foot kick towards goal .. could he fill a simmilar position chris dawes does at collingwood

Dawes takes big marks and splits packs. Bate has strong hands on a lead out in front, but can't get his hands up to take a mark 1 on 1 yet alone in a pack. He's simply not big enough for a key position and not quick enough for a medium/small position in the forward line, or most likely anywhere else on the ground.

[Key Deefender 143]

I agree with the premise of this thread that somehow he needs to be re-invented to become someone who can offer something other than OK depth.

He is a confidence player who notoriously starts seasons slowly, be it through injury or lack of touch.

He was supposed to have a huge engine when drafted and whether or not having had him stagnate in the forward line has curtailed this I don't know.

My thoughts are to put him on the ball at Casey, let him run loose, be a link player, run through the middle of the ground and allow his bigger frame to create opportunitie at stoppages.

Hopefully a successful go at this may translate to a build in touch, confidence and stamina and facilitate a similar role in the seniors, whether as a run with or as a creative linkman.

A major problem of ours is creating enough opportunities for the forwards. Maybe Bate can re-invent himself into the above.

If not, then apart from providing depth, which every side needs, his time may be nearly nigh - a tough call when only one game into the season.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

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

Well that's going a bit early, would't you say?

He'll get games this year. And the guy has played a LOT of good footy. Saying that someone who's kicked as many bags as him isn't a "2011 AFL footballer" is a bit ridiculous. I don't reckon anyone thinks he's gonna win a brownlow, but he's as much of a chance as not of coming in, gathering momentum, and kicking 4 like he has a few times. He's not a BAD footballer, per ce, he's just designed a bit wrong for this game as it is. Doesn't mean he won't do some good things. There ARE still some great features to his game... pace, booming kick, engine, bulk, red hair.

I'm worried his physical limitations will prevent that happening...

Yup. Sums it up.