Bate has been strong at Casey for a few weeks. All reports are that he was excellent in the midfield. Solid, tough and clean in the clinches.

We lack bodies in the midfield - is it worth trying him there in the seniors, with a view to a more permanent role in 2012? I know hw has few fans here, but what do you reckon?

I still havent given up on Bate.

Good body size ,good hands and can kick a goal.

worth perservering with in F12....definately try as a mid

Lack of pace would be the worry, but it could't hurt to try it!

Prefer him in the middle to McNamara...but he is slow...a bit like Cameron Ling - who has had a handy career...but he did have Ablett, Bartel and Chapman to help him out

Too slow for the midfield at AFL level. Might be handy at VFL level in the midfield. We traded Brock who was too slow, Bate's probably slower than Brock by reactive play and his hands aren't as quick as our current mids. Would get caught alot and he only really uses his left foot.

I reckon Bate's gone.

I reckon Bate's gone.

yep, agree, gone, will not be seen again. Destined for the ranks of the VFL.

Out of Dunn, Morton and Bate (among others who are possible to go at the end of the season), Bate would be the one to perservere with in my opinion. His body would be useful but as said above he is pretty slow and his agility has not been the same since he was first drafted - now has the turning circle of a small truck.

Brock Mclean v2

Bate has been strong at Casey for a few weeks. All reports are that he was excellent in the midfield. Solid, tough and clean in the clinches.

We lack bodies in the midfield - is it worth trying him there in the seniors, with a view to a more permanent role in 2012? I know hw has few fans here, but what do you reckon?

Bater's not the best decision maker at AFL level. He can get away with it at Casey.

He does some great things albeit rarely.

No room for passengers...

Yep, give him a go in the middle...............at casey

but i still wouldnt mind keeping him on the list one more year, see what a new coach can do

Bate has been strong at Casey for a few weeks. All reports are that he was excellent in the midfield. Solid, tough and clean in the clinches.

We lack bodies in the midfield - is it worth trying him there in the seniors, with a view to a more permanent role in 2012? I know hw has few fans here, but what do you reckon?

he'll be traded

Sewell's not quick and can't kick, Black is slow, Ling is slow, Ball (?). There are plenty of great midfielders in the league that don't have the toe of your Judd's and Swan's, doesn't make them useless. I don't see the harm in giving Bate a stint in the midfield, season is cooked, he had 38 on the weekend against a solid bullants midfield consisting of Mclean, Lucas, Curnow etc. People are asking for a strong bodied player to help out Moloney in the clinches, Bate would provide that. If the club gave him specific roles (block at stoppages for Moloney+Jamar combo) he could be useful. But that is all wishful thinking.

But a 38 disposal game shows he is capable of winning the footy around the ground, and could provide a bit of a headache for slack opposition midfielders when going forward, due to his dangerous range around the 50-60 m mark.

Give the poor bugger another chance, worth persevering with over Dunn or Warnock.

I agree. Give Bate a chance in the middle.

Bate as an afl footballer would have been better. He played a great match against Carlton once upon a time but he just isn't good enough or quick enough anymore. Let's be honest, bate in the senior side means someone out of it...I don't think he's better than anyone in our underperforming team right now

I don't reckon lack of pace is his biggest concern if playing in the middle, it's lack of agility that would really kill him in there. If you can't pick the ball up below your knees, you can't play midfield.

Bate is under contract, so unless we find a suitable trade then I would suggest he will be in red and blue again next year. He has shown glimpses in the forwardline, but has been eclipsed by Jurrah, Ricky and Howe for mid sized forwards. Even if one of them goes down Bate is still contesting with a handful of other players who could be played forward.

If he is on our list next year we have to try something with Bate. A run in the midfield could be on the cards, but if it does not yield instant results his time might be done at AFL level. Our mids stocks are ultra competitive when everyone is fit, so a poor game means you a straight to Casey.

Casey review -Matthew Bate: Matthew spent more time in the midfield this week because of Tom McNamara and Neville Jetta going into the seniors. He ended up with a season high 38 touches, thirteen marks and two goals, plus numerous involvements in our scoring chains. His ability to be clean and agile in tight was eye catching.

I reckon Bate is more naturally a mid than a forward.

The few times he has played through the middle in the past he has impressed.

His ability through the middle will net him more goals than it would as a forward.

The only problem for him is if he would get a gig with all the young ones coming through.

Based on his performance with Casey on the weekend he deserves a spot this weekend.

He's a midfielder, always has been.

too slow, to one sided, too bad...bye

I'm sure if someone was to 'Rogue' my postings they would find many posts lauding the abilities of Bate.

I think he will leave in October. But if I was to keep 1 of Bate, Dunn, and Warnock - I would keep Bate.

I have said that he is too slow for the midfield, but he has been shown up in our forward line with Jurrah, Howe and Watts providing better marking options who happen to be agile..

The midfield is the last place he can find a spot for this club. He provides one thing we don't have too many of - a mature body.

If he does stay - I would be open to pushing him into the midfield for 5 games to see if he can resurrect his career.

But, as I said, I don't think he will be here next year.

Faio sentiments rpfc.

I cant see him in the midfield when he is sloppy below the knees, has a turning circle like the QE2 and has no right foot in addition to being slow.

While there are players who are slow on footspeed over 0 to 20 metres they cover that by being A grade in other areas of their game to compensate. I dont see it with Bate.

I think he will be gone at year end.

I'm sure if someone was to 'Rogue' my postings they would find many posts lauding the abilities of Bate.

I think he will leave in October. But if I was to keep 1 of Bate, Dunn, and Warnock - I would keep Bate.

I have said that he is too slow for the midfield, but he has been shown up in our forward line with Jurrah, Howe and Watts providing better marking options who happen to be agile..

The midfield is the last place he can find a spot for this club. He provides one thing we don't have too many of - a mature body.

If he does stay - I would be open to pushing him into the midfield for 5 games to see if he can resurrect his career.

But, as I said, I don't think he will be here next year.

Interesting, Id take Warnock.but by the by.. Bate has exhausted all real and fair opportunities and just come up a tad shy of anything convinving at AFL level. Anyone suggesting to elevate him to the engine room really ought to have a think about that. Hes just not equiped for the guts. Hed be dinner for many.

Bates might get a shot at another club, good luck should he do so.

Too slow for the midfield at AFL level. Might be handy at VFL level in the midfield. We traded Brock who was too slow, Bate's probably slower than Brock by reactive play and his hands aren't as quick as our current mids. Would get caught alot and he only really uses his left foot.

Get serious old fella

NO ONE is slower than TURTLE

Bater is lightning quick inside the fifty, loses all speed outside the white circular line

Interesting, albeit confusing posts (he's contracted to end 2012 v he'll be gone at the end of the season). I'm not sure if it's been suggested elsewhere, but the debate seems to suggest Bate, Howe and Petterd are competing for one or two spots in the forward line. We've seen Petterd have a go in the midfield (which I like) but could Howe? Unlike Bate, he has speed and agility.

And I don't think it's bigger bodies we need in the midfield. I think we lack leg speed and clean hands.