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By James MacSmith
Sydney
April 11, 2004
Ben Mathews is keen to keep his reputation as a quiet achiever.
Coach Paul Roos describes him as "the glue that holds the team together", but he might be the most unsung Swan of all.
In an eclectic back line dominated by the eye-catching performances of Leo Barry and Tadhg Kennelly, Ben Mathews's play escapes the attention of all but the most seasoned experts. But without him, Roos acknowledged his teammates would not be able to excel as they do.
"Ben doesn't get a lot of fanfare," Roos said. "But he's one of those blokes that at the end of the game you look and think, 'Gee, he's got 28 possessions and he hasn't made a mistake.' "
Mathews, 25, played his 113th game for the Swans last night against Geelong, and has been among Sydney's standouts this season, spending most of his time in the back line and occasionally moving into the midfield.
"He's almost the glue that holds everything together, we've got a lot of confidence in Ben," Roos said.
"He is very steady, he is very clean with his hands, very good with his disposal. He's the glue that allows the flair with Leo and Tadhg and Crouchy (Jared Crouch) out of defence. I know he likes to get into the midfield as well and he's certainly one that we like to release a bit into the midfield as the game goes on. He's got very good endurance. He's very accountable."
Mathews said the Swans' defence was a tight bunch and that he was happy to go relatively unnoticed while Barry and Kennelly received the accolades.
"It's an interesting group that works really well," Mathews said.
"There is so much communication between us. We cotton on to each other and know what each other is doing. There are a lot of different styles, Bolts (Craig Bolton) is very accountable, and beats his man but also gets the ball as well. He plays on a lot of taller guys and does a great job for us when he is undersized.
"Leo takes a few risks but we rely on those risks, because it really breaks the opposition apart.
"And Tadhg's runs are very important as well. As far as my play goes, I see myself as a bit of everything, a lot of accountability and a little bit of run. I rely on my fitness to wear down opponents, and try to keep running for the whole match."
The Corowa-Rutherglen junior is enjoying his eighth year at the club and said the effectiveness of the Swans' back line comes from years of working together.
"What you see now is a group of players that have been playing for a number of years, and players that have come in like Craig Bolton have experience and fully understand their role within the team," Mathews said.
"We complement each other, we've got a good understanding of each others play.
"We're confident in each other and I think that shows.
"I don't mind flying under the radar, everyone's role in the team is important, some guys stand out a bit more and that's fine."
Sydney
April 11, 2004
Ben Mathews is keen to keep his reputation as a quiet achiever.
Coach Paul Roos describes him as "the glue that holds the team together", but he might be the most unsung Swan of all.
In an eclectic back line dominated by the eye-catching performances of Leo Barry and Tadhg Kennelly, Ben Mathews's play escapes the attention of all but the most seasoned experts. But without him, Roos acknowledged his teammates would not be able to excel as they do.
"Ben doesn't get a lot of fanfare," Roos said. "But he's one of those blokes that at the end of the game you look and think, 'Gee, he's got 28 possessions and he hasn't made a mistake.' "
Mathews, 25, played his 113th game for the Swans last night against Geelong, and has been among Sydney's standouts this season, spending most of his time in the back line and occasionally moving into the midfield.
"He's almost the glue that holds everything together, we've got a lot of confidence in Ben," Roos said.
"He is very steady, he is very clean with his hands, very good with his disposal. He's the glue that allows the flair with Leo and Tadhg and Crouchy (Jared Crouch) out of defence. I know he likes to get into the midfield as well and he's certainly one that we like to release a bit into the midfield as the game goes on. He's got very good endurance. He's very accountable."
Mathews said the Swans' defence was a tight bunch and that he was happy to go relatively unnoticed while Barry and Kennelly received the accolades.
"It's an interesting group that works really well," Mathews said.
"There is so much communication between us. We cotton on to each other and know what each other is doing. There are a lot of different styles, Bolts (Craig Bolton) is very accountable, and beats his man but also gets the ball as well. He plays on a lot of taller guys and does a great job for us when he is undersized.
"Leo takes a few risks but we rely on those risks, because it really breaks the opposition apart.
"And Tadhg's runs are very important as well. As far as my play goes, I see myself as a bit of everything, a lot of accountability and a little bit of run. I rely on my fitness to wear down opponents, and try to keep running for the whole match."
The Corowa-Rutherglen junior is enjoying his eighth year at the club and said the effectiveness of the Swans' back line comes from years of working together.
"What you see now is a group of players that have been playing for a number of years, and players that have come in like Craig Bolton have experience and fully understand their role within the team," Mathews said.
"We complement each other, we've got a good understanding of each others play.
"We're confident in each other and I think that shows.
"I don't mind flying under the radar, everyone's role in the team is important, some guys stand out a bit more and that's fine."
