Is it really true....

[ugg]

I remember Mathews was on J.Johnson for patches in the 2nd half. Didn't see much of him in the first.

[DST]

Originally posted by Plugger46
How do you know that? If the likes of Moore, Schmidt, Bevan & McVeigh actually play they are given limited time on the ground. Benny has the whole day or night to do something, which is generally nothing.

He is the worst player in the competition that receives a regular game.

Well let's have a look at it then:

McVeigh - is slightly built and is being groomed as an outside midfielder so I don't see him getting defensive roles or being expected to win contested football come finals time

Moore - looks promising but at this stage does not have the fitness to play a full game in a run with role

Schmidt - see Moore, just not ready to play 120 minutes of footy

Bevan - could possibly be given that type of role but in his appearances this year has looked slow when it comes to decision making and has not adjusted to the new holding the ball interpretations

So yes on that basis Matthews should continue to be given a game as he carries out a role estential to the team and it's balance.

And he is by far not the worse player getting a game at AFL level, you may want to have a look at the lists down at Carlton, Hawthorn, Essendon and Collingwood at present.

DST

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by DST
Well let's have a look at it then:

McVeigh - is slightly built and is being groomed as an outside midfielder so I don't see him getting defensive roles or being expected to win contested football come finals time

Moore - looks promising but at this stage does not have the fitness to play a full game in a run with role

Schmidt - see Moore, just not ready to play 120 minutes of footy

Bevan - could possibly be given that type of role but in his appearances this year has looked slow when it comes to decision making and has not adjusted to the new holding the ball interpretations

So yes on that basis Matthews should continue to be given a game as he carries out a role estential to the team and it's balance.

And he is by far not the worse player getting a game at AFL level, you may want to have a look at the lists down at Carlton, Hawthorn, Essendon and Collingwood at present.

DST

Your assessment on the kids is fairly reasonable.

But would you define Mathews as an 'inside' midfielder. You said McVeigh isn't one. He isn't but neither is Mathews in my opinion.

What is the 'essential role' and 'balance' that he provides the team with? Enlighten me.

[Nico]

What he really means P46 is the every side needs a hack.

[Sean]

Originally posted by ugg
I remember Mathews was on J.Johnson for patches in the 2nd half. Didn't see much of him in the first.

I thought that he was playing on J Johnson for most of the match but it's on Foxtel now and he started on Murphy. Looks like he may have had a go at just about everyone.

[DST]

Originally posted by Plugger46
Your assessment on the kids is fairly reasonable.

But would you define Mathews as an 'inside' midfielder. You said McVeigh isn't one. He isn't but neither is Mathews in my opinion.

What is the 'essential role' and 'balance' that he provides the team with? Enlighten me.

I don't have the stats in front of me, but I would be pretty confident to say that Mathews would average more posessions per game than most of our current back 6 (maybe not Kennelly).

Leaving aside the argument regarding his disposal, that shows he can read the play well and make position to either win the ball himself or provide an option as the extra man at contests.

This has been essential in allowing us to play Dempster as a purely negating players who is not generating multiple possessions or drive himself. In effect Dempster has been allowed to hone his defensive skills while the rest of the back 6 pick up the slack. I am not having a go at Dempster either, it has been great how he has slotted into the back 6 and the rest have been able to cover some aspects for him that will come over time.

As for team balance Matthews is very capable of doing defensive run with roles, allowing us to use Bolton, Kirk and recently Ablett more offensively. This has been effective as the three players all have better disposal skills than Mathews which is something I much prefer to see.

So for team balance he is important in providing another run with option to free certain players up.

Besides, we have a defense that is rated in the top 4 after 19 rounds and there is no way Roos is going to tamper with the back 6 now this far into the season, other than to add another tall option in Schuable when needed.

DST

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by DST
I don't have the stats in front of me, but I would be pretty confident to say that Mathews would average more posessions per game than most of our current back 6 (maybe not Kennelly).

Pretty sure that is correct.

Leaving aside the argument regarding his disposal, that shows he can read the play well and make position to either win the ball himself or provide an option as the extra man at contests.

More the latter than former. Doesn't get a lot of clearances or hard ball gets (IIRC), but does get a lot of handball receives.

As for team balance Matthews is very capable of doing defensive run with roles, allowing us to use Bolton, Kirk and recently Ablett more offensively. This has been effective as the three players all have better disposal skills than Mathews which is something I much prefer to see.

This is Mathews' best value for us. I used to hope that because he is effective at getting the ball he might turn into a centreman, however his disposal remains very ordinary and his ability to generate clearances is pretty minimal.

So for team balance he is important in providing another run with option to free certain players up.

Yet I think that is something that can be replaced more easily than most other positions in the team.

[dread and might]

Originally posted by DST
Worst crowd going around,

Correct. They scream "BALL" as soon as someone touches the ball carrier. Retards. Up there with Collingwood supporters