Ben Matthews

[Boodnutz]

When is Bem Matthews going to get the media recognition he so richly deserves. He's quietly developed into one of the most influential players in the league. Think I'm nuts? Watch him. All our good moves forward involve him. His use of the ball is so highly developed. He now gets taken for granted.
Wouldn't know from listening to the Sheahan's Brereton's etc. It's a disgrace - he MUST be in Brownlow contention.

[Schneidergirl]

Re: Ben Matthews

Originally posted by Boodnutz
Bem Matthews .

I may as well tell you. It's Ben Mathews.... one T. Watch out by the way, they go nuts about the spelling, that is.

[Boodnutz]

I've just gone outside and flagellated myself 11 times with a tyre lever, just to teach me a lesson.

[Go Swannies]

and the other tricky club spelling is "Snider" right?

[Diego]

Re: Ben Matthews

Originally posted by Boodnutz
When is Bem Matthews going to get the media recognition he so richly deserves. He's quietly developed into one of the most influential players in the league. Think I'm nuts? Watch him. All our good moves forward involve him. His use of the ball is so highly developed. He now gets taken for granted.
Wouldn't know from listening to the Sheahan's Brereton's etc. It's a disgrace - he MUST be in Brownlow contention.

Well when we draft Bem Matthews maybe then he might get some press.

[Bart]

Re: Ben Matthews

Originally posted by Boodnutz
He's quietly developed into one of the most influential players in the league. Think I'm nuts? he MUST be in Brownlow contention.

Yes you are clearly nuts.

[Cheer Cheer]

I hear you BN, however I dont think he will be in brownlow calculations, but I do believe if the AA selectors do really watch all teams closely he will be in their thoughts for a half back role at the minute.

Always been a big fan of Ben, think he is a great ball winner, reads the play well and has good skills.

He has actually filled the role of Barry this year IMO while Barry has been more tied up in the defensive positions.

[DST]

I have been saying it for ages, "you can teach a player to dispose of the ball better but you just can't teach them to how find the thing, that comes naturally".

In Ben's case he is one of our few genuine ball getters. He has also worked very hard on his disposal to the point where he is now very effective when he gathers his usual 20 to 30 touches a game.

Would love to see him play more of a floating midfield role, but maybe his overall fitness and his worth down back is stopping that at present.

To take that theory out a little further, this feature of the game is what holds Luke Ablett back. Is very good at disposing of the ball, but he just does not know how to find the ball on the field.

DST

[Thunder Shaker]

Re: Ben Matthews

Originally posted by Boodnutz
He's quietly developed into one of the most influential players in the league.

Shush, or the secret will get out! Being underrated means he continually gets under the oppositions' guard. One day he's going to go ballistic and carve up the opposition with 40+ possessions. I'm hoping it's in next year's "Droughtbreaker" Grand Final.

[penga]

Re: Re: Ben Matthews

Originally posted by Schneidergirl
I may as well tell you. It's Ben Mathews.... one T. Watch out by the way, they go nuts about the spelling, that is.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[dread and might]

the most consistently underrated swan. has been for a long time. maybe it's because he doesn't colour his hair?

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by dread and might
the most consistently underrated swan. has been for a long time. maybe it's because he doesn't colour his hair?

Maybe he does and his natural hair colour is Akermanis blonde?

[midaro]

At the risk of getting a rep for being negative around here ...

Mathews is a receiver.

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

He's a vital link in our backline, but the fact is that every team in the competion has 3 players like Mathews.

He wouldn't get a game at the Lions or Saints.

Fosdike, JBolton etal would look as good if playing in Mathews role.

[NMWBloods]

I think it's a bit harsh to paint him purely as a receiver. That is a major part of his job, but he also gets the ball as well.

Bolton and Fosdike get a lot of handball receives too - in fact they both had more than Mathews last year. At the same time, though, they did have more clearances and contested possessions, as you would expect.

[liz]

Mathews is also far more accountable than either Fosdike or Bolton. He frequently manages to keep a quality opponent fairly quiet while making a constructive contribution at the same time.

My main beef with Fosdike is not what he does or doesn't do with the ball he gets (or doesn't get). He may be a long way from the top echelon midfielder in terms of his contributions but I don't think he's anywhere as bad as some make out. However, invariably he allows his opponent to get a ton of the ball as well and this can be damaging to the team. He could certainly take a leaf out of Kirk, Crouch and Mathews' books who manage to play defensively and offensively at the same time.