Matthew Bate - best position?

[Jarka 767]

There's been alot of talk about Bate solving our problem at CHF, however I'm not convinced that he is a true KPP. If you compare him to Travis Cloke who is doing well in that position and is a similiar age then you begin to realise that he has a long way to go. He's shown brief glimpses of contested marking but he lacks size to be a true dominating CHF, he rather plays the role similiar to Brad Miller, long leading mark and handball to a running player.

The question is whether he is a KPP who can play as a midfielder, or a midfielder who can pinch hit as a KPP?

[Gouga 566]

Right now he is the closest thing we have to a CHF. I believe Dunn hasn't got what it takes. Newton is a possibility but I think, like most, he is more likely to settle at FF.

There is no reason Bate can't be a good CHF for us in years to come.

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

At the moment there are 2 possible CHF that at the moment are both playing in the midfield and forward line. These two players are Dunn and Bate. Both are playing two roles midfield and forward but if we want a quality CHF then we need to start developing 1 of these players NOW!!

Bate: Fast, Good lead, Long kick, Presents well, can dodge traffic. He is not great on man on man though but rather plays to his strengths though this can be tought.

Dunn: Good Lead, Accurate kick, Presents well, Courage and good at physical. My worry about Dunn is his size and pace, i know little about his pace but he seems capable although not incredible speed (please inform not sure), and if we develop Dunn to be a CHF then his size will come.

From what i have seen and heard Bate seems like the better of the two and will develop well into a CHF while Dunn will remain a HFF but will still be damaging. This is just my opinon and i think Dunn definetly needs more team in the Red and Blue because he hasnt had enough time this year.

I look forward to seeing both players in the red and blue from 2008 and beyond.

[sylvinator 96]

At the moment there are 2 possible CHF that at the moment are both playing in the midfield and forward line. These two players are Dunn and Bate. Both are playing two roles midfield and forward but if we want a quality CHF then we need to start developing 1 of these players NOW!!

Bate: Fast, Good lead, Long kick, Presents well, can dodge traffic. He is not great on man on man though but rather plays to his strengths though this can be tought.

Dunn: Good Lead, Accurate kick, Presents well, Courage and good at physical. My worry about Dunn is his size and pace, i know little about his pace but he seems capable although not incredible speed (please inform not sure), and if we develop Dunn to be a CHF then his size will come.

From what i have seen and heard Bate seems like the better of the two and will develop well into a CHF while Dunn will remain a HFF but will still be damaging. This is just my opinon and i think Dunn definetly needs more team in the Red and Blue because he hasnt had enough time this year.

I look forward to seeing both players in the red and blue from 2008 and beyond.

Bate will become (already is imo) a fine CHF.

similar to miller he is terrific at those long searching leads and he continuisly presents and marks the ball around 80m from goal. The problem with miller was that he has no football brain and even worse skills so he wastes the ball when he gets it 80m out. however bate is a genuine footballer, he has a long powerful kick and a great footy brain. that is what sets him apart

his contested marking is very good, he has sticky hands, and more importantly he has a good goal sense. he knows how to kick 2-3 goals in a game, even if he is spending most of his time roaming half forward.

i rate Bate very highly and see him as one of 3 youngsters on our list really capable of being A-graders. (others being mclean and sylvia).

he will be a star i have no doubt.

(Dunn on the other hand will hopefuly develop into a solid wingman and will play many games for us. i like him but he wont be in the same class as bate.)

[neovic 0]

Bate looks terrific on the lead and is a good damaging kick and can kick goals. Playing him in that miller CHF leading role suits him perfectly IMO. Playing him on the ball just doesn't play to his strengths. Its kinda like when freo wanted to play pavlich as a midfielder. Just because he has a big body and an big engine, doesnt make him a midfielder.

[Waltham33 475]

The best position for Bater may be CHF, I just cannot see a team with Bate at CHF ever seriously challenging for a flag. Hope I am wrong and that is not a knock on him as he is one of my favourites. Longer term, I would prefer to see Bate move closer to the goal square.

[deefuture06 0]

The best position for Bater may be CHF, I just cannot see a team with Bate at CHF ever seriously challenging for a flag. Hope I am wrong and that is not a knock on him as he is one of my favourites. Longer term, I would prefer to see Bate move closer to the goal square.

Why not build both kids up and have 1 play CHF and 1 CHB?

[CARN THE DEES! 14]

Why not build both kids up and have 1 play CHF and 1 CHB?

Good point, In the Port Adeliade game when Dunn was tagging Cornes he was very good so this could be a very good development plan but we will have 2 wait and see.

[Pello 1]

Sandringham! He is weak and soft!

[Jarka 767]

Why not build both kids up and have 1 play CHF and 1 CHB?

Dunn hasn't shown anything to suggest that he will be either a CHF or a CHB. Bate is a midfielder who can occasionally pinch hit as a forward.

[9. David Neitz 0]

Sandringham! He is weak and soft!

Agree, but so is 80% of the list.

[drdrake 3,163]

Sandringham! He is weak and soft!

What do you expect from a young player, when the senior players around you are the weak and soft, Neita and McDonald are exempt but the others have been soft for years and getting worse.

Bate will be a good lead up HFF, he doesn't have the strength mentally yet to hold down the key CHF role.

[Nicho 1]

Should be played from CHF and not in the middle, We get smashed across HF and he will alwyas present......

Reminds me so much of Pebbles O'Keefe from the Swans the ways he plays and his attributes........

however his last 3 weeks have been his worse in his short career

Potential gun of the game....

[Jarka 767]

Should be played from CHF and not in the middle, We get smashed across HF and he will alwyas present......

Reminds me so much of Pebbles O'Keefe from the Swans the ways he plays and his attributes........

however his last 3 weeks have been his worse in his short career

Potential gun of the game....

He presented poorly when in the forwardline however our poor performance across the field didn't help.

[Rogue 585]

Dunn doesn't seem like a CHF/CHB to me.

I'd like to see Bate playing as a third tall, although we might use him as an undersized CHF-type because we lack better alternatives.

[dee-luded 2,959]

There's been alot of talk about Bate solving our problem at CHF, however I'm not convinced that he is a true KPP. If you compare him to Travis Cloke who is doing well in that position and is a similiar age then you begin to realise that he has a long way to go. He's shown brief glimpses of contested marking but he lacks size to be a true dominating CHF, he rather plays the role similiar to Brad Miller, long leading mark and handball to a running player.

The question is whether he is a KPP who can play as a midfielder, or a midfielder who can pinch hit as a KPP?

I see both bate & newton, depending if they continue to improve their games as rotating between the 2 key f/ward posts. dunn appears to not like physical contact much so could be an outside roaming type flanker / onballer.