Benny Mathews

[footyhead]

Can he take the next step and be a really really good player for us ?

http://sydneyswans.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=191467

[penga]

weren't you leaving?

[midaro]

Nope.
Mathews is a known quantity. He's a good-ordinary, workmanlike player who wouldn't get a game in a premiership team.

If all goes well this year, he'll find himself displaced by: Bevan, Buchannon, McVeigh, Dempster, Fixter, etal.

He may "regularly escape under the media radar" and be one of the "least-spoken about contributors to the team" in broader football circles, but IMO he something of a sacred cow around here.

[Jeffers1984]

Most underrated in our team.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by midaro
If all goes well this year, he'll find himself displaced by: Bevan, Buchannon, McVeigh, Dempster, Fixter, etal.

Doesn't that last bloke play league for the Bulldogs?

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Most underrated in our team.

Why? I'm with you midaro.

[giant]

Originally posted by Plugger46
Why? I'm with you midaro.

Likewise. Never understood the fascination.

[Bleed Red Blood]

4th in marks.
3rd highest possesion getter.
3rd highest tackler.

[Barry Schneider]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
4th in marks.
3rd highest possesion getter.
3rd highest tackler.

Didn't realise he got that much of it.I think he is a very handy sweeper who just takes one step too many when he kicks.
There is a place for him in the team imo but it would mean the youngsters are flying if he is left out which would be great.

[Wazza]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
4th in marks.
3rd highest possesion getter.
3rd highest tackler.

In the role he plays - sweeper - he should have these stats he usually touches the ball 2 - 3 times each play.

I liked the comment hes a good ordinary player and i would add with suspect decision making and average disposal but he plays a role.

Stats have a place but dont always tell the full story. I look at Mathews as filling a place until a Dempster / Ablett /Powell are ready to take over.

Cheers

Waz

[sharp9]

The fortunes fo this team could really turn around if Benny would take a good hard look in the mirror and recognise that he's GOT TO STOP GIVING THE BALL TO BLOKES NOT WEARING RED AND WHITE.

If he keeps it simple then his solidity could become a real asset. At the moment the amount of ball he gets means we can't win as many games as we should.

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
4th in marks.
3rd highest possesion getter.
3rd highest tackler.

Surely you'd expect that when he is generally on the end of it.

[swansrule100]

i think mathews has cemented a spot in the eyes of the coaching panel. I have been impressed with his last few years and he has given himself a nice platform to take another step forward this year.

[Factor]

Originally posted by swansrule100
i think mathews has cemented a spot in the eyes of the coaching panel. I have been impressed with his last few years and he has given himself a nice platform to take another step forward this year.

I agree.

Granted, there is some bias as he is my favourite player, but I feel we'll see a marked improvement this season from Ben.

[Nico]

Before Roos I thought he was grossly overrated. His disposal was poor and he didn't like the hard stuff.

However, under Roos he has found a heart muscle yet he still and probably will always lack depth in his kicking, which is yet another factor in our poor delivery to forwards, which limits quality opportunity to kick goals.

The fact that he has very good anticipation and finds the footy a lot, and it matters not how, he should keep his place. Just wish he would do a bit better by foot.

At least Mathews has corrected some weaknesses in his game. Compare that to Jude who has not improved his skills and ability one iota in the past 2 years.