Matthew Bate played twelve AFL games this year.  He just brings a real professional and high performance approach to his footy, week after week, and consistently works to get the best out of himself.  Bater’s played some really good roles for us through the midfield, wing and half forward area, and has just used his offensive spread and his ability to get out in space on a turnover.  He’s also given us a strong body around the footy, and helped us in the contested area.  Bater just needs to keep working on his efficiency with the footy, making sure that he’s clean at hitting targets. When he can do those things, he’s going to go to the next level with his footy. - Aaron Greaves (midfield development coach) melbournefc.com.au

Games MFC 2012 12 MFC Total 102 Goals MFC 2012 8 MFC Total 98

Games CSFC 2012 5 Goals CSFC 2012 0

MFC 109 kicks 56 handballs 165 disposals 63 marks 29 tackles 

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 135 votes

Says more about Aaron Greaves than Bate to me.

Yeah, it reads a little strangely to me too given that Bater barely managed to exceed ½ of the total number of MFC games for the season.

He may yet prove useful - he's played 100+ games and thus his male offspring (should they be more talented than he) will be eligible for f/s

he's a frustrating player Bate. When he's in the VFL and he plays in the midfield he seems to run ragged but when he takes the next step up to AFL level he seems to go missing!