Matthews Observation

[Bas]

I was talking to a work colleague today and he has been watching Matthews closely for some weeks. In his opinion, when he gets the ball, he immediately turns around and kicks to an un marked player behind him. He never kicks to a contest even though a kick forward to an unmarked player is possible.

Has anyone else noticed this? It's something I will be looking out for this Saturday night.

If it is the case then you would have to ask why?

[goswannie14]

"Wrong way Benny" is renowned for doing that.

[AussieAnge]

I think he has also been referred to as "sideways Benny" and "the crab".
Could be that he's following the instructions given to him.

[sprite]

Bevo - his first thought has been to hand pass to the nearest player even of they are under pressure.

His second option is to look for someone behind him or inline with him. Has started kicking forward

Leo - first action is to fake left than right and run into oncoming player

Benny isn't alone, it part of the game plan, keep possession.

[ernie koala]

I think he has also been referred to as "sideways Benny" and "the crab".
Could be that he's following the instructions given to him.

Final words from the coach before he runs on....."Hey Benny, don't forget the hospital handpass, you are the master !"

[Lucky Knickers]

He delivered a gorgeous left foot pass FORWARD to Davo for his first goal last week. He also kicked a goal himself off his right 5 minutes earlier. He kicks backward when we are setting up our forward run.

(and I have called him "not the first second rate hack to win a premiership medal" in the past).

[shaun..]

I'd prefer him in the forward line to Jude Bolton

[Mike_B]

Have to laugh at the observation Bas, because Des and I joked on Sunday that Leo had told him the team was running in the opposite direction in the first quarter so Ben would kick forward.

[connolly]

I'd prefer him in the forward line to Jude Bolton

His under the radar forward drift has a Darren Cresswell quality about it.

[TheMase]

Whenever he pops up forward he seems to kick a goal. Maybe we should give him a run in the pocket.

[swantastic]

I'd prefer Benny in the forward line to Jude Bolton

Bloody oath

[AnnieH]

I love it when the backs come forward to kick goals. I used to sit back and encourage Dunks every time got near the goal square ... c'mon Dunks - you can do it!! Ah the memories. I love seeing Leo line up for goal. He's gotta kick it then - no handpasses.
Benny is a workhorse. He does as he's told - helps to stop the ball going into the oppositions forward line. He is our fittest player.

[reigning premier]

Don't see an issue with it personally. He's been doing exactly what he has been instructed to do and IMHO, doing it very well over the last 6 weeks.

AFIK, AFL is still a team game where every player has a role to play. And Benny Mathews, is one of the best team players we have.

[hammo]

Another observation is that his surname is actually spelled Mathews.

[ernie koala]

Don't see an issue with it personally. He's been doing exactly what he has been instructed to do and IMHO, doing it very well over the last 6 weeks.

AFIK, AFL is still a team game where every player has a role to play. And Benny Mathews, is one of the best team players we have.

Constantly turning the ball over with poor disposal ?? Stopping forward attacks with dithering sideways/ backwards play ?? "one of the best team players we have" ???.....I think not.