I don't get it. Bate has a lot of potential, played some good games and should continue to improve over the years. But our 3rd B&F this year? Come on.

I remember Hannibal being upset with Davey finishing so high up in 2005, particularly because it showed that we were rewarding the wrong attributes in a player. I don't think Bate attacks the ball hard enough and he needs to improve in this area. For him to finish 3rd speaks volumes of what we look for in a player and what we are rewarding. Brad Green was streets ahead of Bate in my book this year.

Hopefully with a new coaching department, we see players getting rewarded for displaying attributes that ultimately contribute to premiership success.

Bate deserved 3rd spot

Look at some of his games this year

Round 4 - 19 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Round 6 - 24 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals

Round 7 - 19 disposals, 5 marks,1 goal

Round 10 - 16 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

Round 11 - 18 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals

Round 12 - 20 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goals

Round 13 - 17 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

Round 14 - 19 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals

Round 15 - 21 disposals, 5 marks

Round 17 - 12 dosposals, 6 marks, 2 goals

Round 22 - 18 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

Now before you say stats arent everything, this bloke isnt playing as loose man across half back a la Joel Bowden.

He was a 19 year old kid thrown into the cauldron and asked to play as roaming CHF.

You hear the media crap on about Travis Cloke, but the fact is Matthew Bate has him and most other kids his age covered.

You actually make a good point!

In a shocking year like this you tend not to look at stats and the such but he has had a pretty good year, thought it was just the red hair that made him stand out...