I know his loved by alot of members ans supporters, but im sorry to say his a shocker!! His decision making is terrible, he butches the ball everytime he gets a kick.. If if gets a game in our fittest 22 im be stuffed.. He looks lazy and slow and i dont think i`ve seen him play defensive on a player.. I know his a in and under type player and hasnt got the skill as some stars, but i couldnt see him improving our side or to be a premership player.. Still young and may get better but i doubt he could ever be a great player. Weve got enough players that could do his role and be damaging that bate.. Bit harsh and i hope he can improve, but i dont think his AFL standands..

I totally agree. The signs aren't good for Bate.

He is 20 this year.

Yes he has been bad, but don't write his career off. He needs to go back to Sandy for a few weeks.

I thought he was much better this week, but that's just me.

Yes, he made skill errors, but god he is hardly alone.

Did some clever things, and took them on with a bit of confidence. I really liked seeing him and Sylvia combine through the middle.

If you want to talk about clangers-galore, how about Daniel Ward? Not only can he not kick, he has no idea where his opponent is either.

he is a great talent, who needs the right coaches to lead him and develop him

And God know we dont have them

Its a shame, because I think he'd have benefited from a game at Sandy, which he would have had had it not been for injuries...

I think he'll be OK, the whole team is clearly down on confidence.

in an ideal world he would go back to sandy for a few weeks to gain some confidence and bounce back

but unfortunately we dont have that luxury

he will get better and will be a good player for us

I totally agree. The signs aren't good for Bate.

Yeah 19 Possesions, 6 Marks, 6 Tackles & 1 goal from a 19year old down on confidence playing in a depleted side.

your right, lets get rid of him.

Exactly what i was going to say, Condemned. He is down on form but hardly the worst today, i would prefer that he go back to Sandy to get some confidence but who would you bring in for him? If Travis is OK for next week, than maybe, but we've lost Jones and Whelan today, Moloney didn't come up (as expected). It doesn't seem likely that he'll be dropped.

Yeah 19 Possesions, 6 Marks, 6 Tackles & 1 goal from a 19year old down on confidence playing in a depleted side.

your right, lets get rid of him.

Were you at the game? Stats mean nothing. He couldn't kick a drop punt, missed targets by hand and foot, doesn't go in hard enough and doesn't work hard enough defensively.

He's struggling big time at the moment.

Jeez.

Melbourne are a very poor side, but Matty Bate still has the same future he had 4 weeks ago.He's been racking up the stats, getting touches galore, and has been trying to kick at full pace to a stone statue in the forward line. When you have to pick the one red and blue jumper in amongst 4 anchors, you're going to butcher the ball 50% of the time. His clangers are bad, but then so were Sylvia's, Bruce's, some of Yze's. If you're going to sling blame about there's HEAPS of other players you can look to.

Matty Bate will be a sensational player. He's played only a few bad games for the club, and he really shouldn't have to shoulder the responsibility he is.

Give him a break you lot.

Were you at the game? Stats mean nothing. He couldn't kick a drop punt, missed targets by hand and foot, doesn't go in hard enough and doesn't work hard enough defensively.

He's struggling big time at the moment.

Yes I was at the game and I agree he can't kick to save himself at the moment. My point is he still got the ball more than others and there is a lot more upside with him. Fact is if his bad game includes all the above, then wait till a good one comes.

Fair go giving Bate a serve!

With the rest of the team, he is down on form. Anyone saying he isn't up to it is kidding themselves!

Bate will be a ripping player for the club.

Get out and cheer the bloke instead of giving him a hard time on here!

Was at the game, he really needs some work. Stats irrelevant. He was clanger city.

I dont think we can afford to drop him, at least he works hard. Give it 6 weeks and i highly doubt he will be playing.

I was a big fan last year.

PS - unfortunate for Bell who i thought had a good game until he was smashed.

at least with bate he is young and can improve his skills over the year, some who are a lot older do the same and besides when you are getting belted the pressure (real or not) causes more clanger kicks especially in a guy who has played 10- 12 games?

Oh dear, another Bate bashing website. You absolute tools. You were probebly the ones that bagged headland. Leave bate alone, hes young and although is struggling his will prove good in a year or so.

Melbourne are a very poor side, but Matty Bate still has the same future he had 4 weeks ago.He's been racking up the stats, getting touches galore, and has been trying to kick at full pace to a stone statue in the forward line. When you have to pick the one red and blue jumper in amongst 4 anchors, you're going to butcher the ball 50% of the time. His clangers are bad, but then so were Sylvia's, Bruce's, some of Yze's. If you're going to sling blame about there's HEAPS of other players you can look to.

Matty Bate will be a sensational player. He's played only a few bad games for the club, and he really shouldn't have to shoulder the responsibility he is.

Give him a break you lot.

But this is what happens isn't it......

A player has a form slump (which happens, as hard as it is for some of us to come to terms with), or loses his confidence (honestly, who wouldn't right now?), or simply has a bad day (being human, in a bad team right now, is not a crime) and he is suddenly a dud who should be shot in the street instead of supported and nurtured until he again shows the form we expect of and want to see from him.

This happens time and time again.

Bate will be a fine player for the Demons but what he needs is some time and experience to grow into the role.

This is unfortunately but obviously something way to many supporters aren't willing to give players these days. And there are plenty of examples over recent years. As others have said he is very young, and it is way to early to pass such extreme judgement on him and not auction off the future. But he has still showed a hell of a lot more in what we have seen than some of the much older seasoned vets out there.

Is there room for improvement? Of course, as it is with most players, but especially those of his age and experience, and just for what its worth, I don't think all players automatically fall into the "superstar" or "dud" catagory. Most are in between and have to work (some harder than others) at the skills we expect to see from them every week. The problem is, the minute we don't like exectly what we see we jump and look for the kill.

Could Bate do with a run at Sandy to regain some of what he has lost? Probably. But with the injuries we are carrying that is just not likely to happen

And lastly does this mean I accept mediocrity, as is the war cry against those of us who don't automatically bay for peoples blood after a bad loss?

No, but I am also willing to support the players, and accept that they are still human and make mistakes and give them some time to come good.

Besides, I didn't think he was all that bad today anyway.

I to think Bate will be a good player for us. He is still young and knows how to get the footy. The concerns are his disposals and leg speed aren't quite there. Disposals you can improve with experience and training. He has always looked slow and really struggles to stay with his opponent. On most occasions when he has the ball his pace gets him into trouble putting pressure on to his delivery and decision making. He will be a good player. Dunn was good today and miller presenting is a step in the right decision. - That in the back on miller in the goal square was criminal!

He is still a kid. He does stuff up at times. He also does a few good things. He will get stronger and maybe a bit wquicker over the next season or two. I think i will reserve judgement for a year or two - give him a bit more time. He is that awkward size. Almost KP size and just about mid field ball getting ability.

That in the back on miller in the goal square was criminal!

oh dont get me started on that! :angry:

I to think Bate will be a good player for us. He is still young and knows how to get the footy. The concerns are his disposals and leg speed aren't quite there. Disposals you can improve with experience and training. He has always looked slow and really struggles to stay with his opponent. On most occasions when he has the ball his pace gets him into trouble putting pressure on to his delivery and decision making. He will be a good player. Dunn was good today and miller presenting is a step in the right decision. - That in the back on miller in the goal square was criminal!

Learning how to kick is the easily thing to learn. Reading the play is very difficult to teach and therefor he has everything going for him

Bate will be a player, all he needs is time and experience. He will learn from his mistakes, but yes he could use a run at sandy. The thing i reckon he needs to touch up on is his body, he needs to lose a bit of muscle for endurance and pace just like jones has.

I know his loved by alot of members ans supporters, but im sorry to say his a shocker!! His decision making is terrible, he butches the ball everytime he gets a kick.. If if gets a game in our fittest 22 im be stuffed.. He looks lazy and slow and i dont think i`ve seen him play defensive on a player.. I know his a in and under type player and hasnt got the skill as some stars, but i couldnt see him improving our side or to be a premership player.. Still young and may get better but i doubt he could ever be a great player. Weve got enough players that could do his role and be damaging that bate.. Bit harsh and i hope he can improve, but i dont think his AFL standands..

Was very good in 2006

Hopefully 2nd year blues

Is one who requires the older experianced guy's around @ only 18 years of age.

Admit is currently lost & needs time back @ Sandy.

WE are 4 zip lets rotate & see what else is on the list currently.

Garland, Pettard, Buckley, Bring them ON

Has significant talent. Like most young players is struggling to show that talent consistently - particularly when playing in a struggling team as against the more succesful team he played in last year. Injuries permitting he should go back to Sandy to get his touch and confidence back.

But this is what happens isn't it......

Balanced and perceptive view QueenC... Bate will reward us in time and those of us who have seen something in him that we like can look on with a knowing smirk. Keep up the good posts mate!