Ben Mathews

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  • Alibi Monday
    33 Years of Support
    • Jul 2006
    • 112
    #1

    Ben Mathews

    Plenty has been said about Ben and he's been a great servant for the club, but it's obvious to anyone who follows the team that he's outlived his usefullness on the field. We just can't carry an ageing slow undersized run-with defender.

    I have no doubt Ben performs his role for the team week in week out, but it's hardly something Bevan couldn't do easily with more spark. Roos must must must surely know this deep down but faces the difficulty that he's a model clubman inside the leadership group. He was quite valuable 3 years ago (avg 20+ disposals) without being spectacular, but has declined quite rapidly in on-field confidence. Seymour, Saddington and arguably Nicks were the same.

    Ben asked to be dropped earlier this year because of poor form. Is Roos waiting for Mathews to delist himself? Surely he's not tradeable, or is he? Do the team rules preclude the leadership group from being moved on or dropped? If so, this could inadvertedly lead to protectionism and team decline.

    Thoughts?
    Tags: ben, mathews, Swans, sydney
    • graystar
      On the Rookie List
      • Oct 2005
      • 543
      #2
      Yeah these issues are delicate as you do not want to upset team morale.

      For me I remember ben matthews charging down the right wing out of defence from the randwick end to the paddington end to kick into the forward 50 - right in front of my old oreilly stand seat.

      Those days are long gone from what I have seen this year - gives away to many frees in defence now.

      Hopefully he makes the big decision himself.
      I will be a member again when I return.

        Comment

        • Alibi Monday
          33 Years of Support
          • Jul 2006
          • 112
          #3
          The question must be asked (as tough as it is), but is Jude starting down this path too. Another leadership member who whilst not declined so much, seems to have plateaud over the past 3 years. He's more likely to decline than improve whilst still entenched in a leadership role.

          Not the time to panic with Jude, but if you were going to trade, this would be the moment IMO. Still rated very highly by other clubs. Would get a top 10 pick.

          From the outside, I also feel it's time for Tadgh to be inducted into a leadership role by the way.

            Comment

            • stellation
              scott names the planets
              • Sep 2003
              • 9737
              #4
              I am not Benny's biggest fan, but he has been bothered by injuries this year and that has obviously had an impact on his performance. I watched the Geelong SF yesterday, if folks get a chance go back and look at the job that Ben does both up forward and in the midfield on Ablett.
              I knew him as a gentle young man, I cannot say for sure the reasons for his decline
              We watched him fade before our very eyes, and years before his time

                Comment

                • Ajn
                  Draft Scout
                  • Jan 2003
                  • 711
                  #5
                  Benny won't go, and Jude is key to our midfield rotation, it is more likely the delisting will be youth and retirees:

                  Andrew Ericksen
                  Matthew Davis
                  Paul Chambers
                  Paul Williams
                  Josh Willoughby

                  are my picks, I thinl Spriggs may stay or get a trade if requested...probably to Carlton if anywhere
                  Staying ahead of the game...

                    Comment

                    • C-Train
                      On the Rookie List
                      • Sep 2005
                      • 324
                      #6
                      Originally posted by Alibi Monday
                      The question must be asked (as tough as it is), but is Jude starting down this path too. Another leadership member who whilst not declined so much, seems to have plateaud over the past 3 years. He's more likely to decline than improve whilst still entenched in a leadership role.

                      Not the time to panic with Jude, but if you were going to trade, this would be the moment IMO. Still rated very highly by other clubs. Would get a top 10 pick.

                      From the outside, I also feel it's time for Tadgh to be inducted into a leadership role by the way.

                      Get rid of Jude???

                      DUMBEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!!!!
                      Some people say Football is a matter of life and death - I say it's a lot more important than that!
                      _____________________________
                      PREMIERS 2005
                      MEMBER SINCE 1991

                        Comment

                        • caj23
                          Senior Player
                          • Aug 2003
                          • 2462
                          #7
                          Agree with your assessment on Mathews he is tough and has been a loyal servant but the modern game has passed him by.

                          Completely disagree with your comments on Bolton, still one of our key players

                          Wouldn't think either will be traded, but IMO if Benny is still in our best 22 next year then we wont have improved
                          Last edited by caj23; 3 October 2006, 10:39 AM.

                            Comment

                            • woo
                              double vodka lemon pls
                              • Sep 2005
                              • 961
                              #8
                              hhmm...I think Benny still has some value, but agree with trading him now whilst we could get someone good in return.

                              As for Jude, no chance, I can't honestly see Jude ever wearing any other teams jersey. He is a part of the furniture and letting him go would be stupid...and would rock the team too much regardless of his form.
                              you know what they say, dirty pants- clean botty

                                Comment

                                • BLT
                                  Razzle Dazzle
                                  • Aug 2006
                                  • 230
                                  #9
                                  everytime Jude gets the ball I always assume he is going to kick it out on the full BUT there is no way we should get rid of him - he is always tough on the ball and has an impact....crazy!
                                  BLT. BOG.

                                    Comment

                                    • bandwagon
                                      Regular in the Side
                                      • May 2003
                                      • 633
                                      #10
                                      Originally posted by Will Sangster
                                      Wouldn't think either will be traded, but IMO if Benny is still in our best 22 next year then we wont have improved
                                      Spot on.

                                      And I wish people wouldn't value a player by more than their last game... I mean Hall didn't have an impact on Saturday, and is unlikely to get better... should we trade him??

                                        Comment

                                        • Young Blood
                                          On the rise
                                          • Apr 2005
                                          • 541
                                          #11
                                          I also hope that he's not in our best 22 next year. But it would be ridiculous to delist him - we need him for depth.

                                            Comment

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