Nefarious

Ling was a very different player, even though he was a relatively fat FF.

Bate has serious issues with agility that Ling has never had.

It also has a lot to do with what Ling has upstairs.

I think it's pretty easy to dismiss something a bit different or to highlight why something won't work, but it's definitely worth a try. Bate showed value in the midfield against Port and while I don't believe he's an offensive midfielder's bootlace, it's worth looking at him in the Ling role. Ling might not have Bate's turning circle, but he's hardly cat-like.

But in all likelihood Bate will request a trade and it will be granted. If he stays on the list it's worth trying something new. Nothing to lose.

It may be the red hair but it would be interesting to see whether Bate could play a run with role such as that performed by Ling. Remember that Ling was almost gone a number of years ago.

I was having this exact conversation two days ago. Ling was a fat full forward when he went to Geelong and their dimensions aren't super different. Bate has already shown he can run through the middle. The challenge is for Bate to show the coach he can be a big bodied negating mid. But I'd only have him in this role. It's the last roll of the dice for him.