Mathews..

[Bleed Red Blood]

Sorry if this has been said, but I don't feel like trolling through six thousand posts tonight to say this. (Yes, I was gone for a week and you've made six thousand posts)

Ben Mathews. Anyone else think he's really lifted for the finals? He's caused a couple of goals, but overall I think he's been much better than his home and away form.

[dimelb]

Underrated.
Reliable.
Seems he can shut down just about anyone - and yes, is probably in a good streak atm.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Agreed, good to see all the doubters that were bagging him a couple of months ago have finally realised his worth. Great game against the eagles, shut down garry tablet jr the next week and did well on Harvey for most of the PF.

[RogueSwan]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
Agreed, good to see all the doubters that were bagging him a couple of months ago have finally realised his worth.

I was one of the "baggers" and at the time I believe it was justified. I will admit he has lifted his game and is playing pretty good footy. About bloody time!

[william wallace]

He is playing good footy atm.... But his abilities don't really allow him to be a midfielder IMO. Prob best suited to a back pocket role. He is reliable but lacks real spark. Hence my view of him as a BP.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
Agreed, good to see all the doubters that were bagging him a couple of months ago have finally realised his worth. Great game against the eagles, shut down garry tablet jr the next week and did well on Harvey for most of the PF.

I think he's done well in the roles he's best at, but Harvey did pretty well on Friday with 16 possessions in the second half!

[barry]

Tagging is his specialty, and he's done a good job in the finals.

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think he's done well in the roles he's best at, but Harvey did pretty well on Friday with 16 possessions in the second half!

Harvey was unbelievably good against the Crows. He's a player like Aker that you can't stop so the best you can hope for is to limit him or he'll tear the game apart. So I think Ben did well but not brilliantly on him.

[Sanecow]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I think he's done well in the roles he's best at, but Harvey did pretty well on Friday with 16 possessions in the second half!

I think he eased off when he realized Harvey was not his usual self.

[BayesysLeftBoot]

Originally posted by Sanecow
I think he eased off when he realized Harvey was not his usual self.

I wouldn't say he eased off, maybe just paid him a bit less respect and tried to get in on the action himself.

[giant]

He's had a very solid finals series - perhaps the best of our taggers. Still cringe when I see him with the ball in a pressure situation tho. He'll have an important role this week - perhaps Counsins?

[NMWBloods]

Yep - I think Cousins is the one.

[stellation]

Originally posted by BayseysLeftBoot
Agreed, good to see all the doubters that were bagging him a couple of months ago have finally realised his worth. Great game against the eagles, shut down garry tablet jr the next week and did well on Harvey for most of the PF.

Most of the doubters were in agreement that Benny deserved to be in the team in a more defensive role. He is playing that type of role now.