2007 Score Card - #4 Ben Matthews

[Plugger46]

I still like to think that Benny-Boy is our only workhorse. Every team needs a workhorse. He's the fittest of all of them, by far. More often than not, he does his job and does it well. It's like you don't know he's there, until he's stopped the ball. Unfortunately, his effective disposal skills are not that good. Stepping down from the leadership group may take some pressure off him - like Hally, allow him to concentrate more on improving his game.

6.5/10

You give Mathews 6.5/10 but gave Davis 4/10.

Just can't comprehend that.

[AnnieH]

You give Mathews 6.5/10 but gave Davis 4/10.

Just can't comprehend that.

My expectations for Davis were higher than my expections for Matthews. Hence the scores.

[liz]

You give Mathews 6.5/10 but gave Davis 4/10.

Just can't comprehend that.

The Swans' coaching team are in AnnieH's camp, not yours, given that Mathews finished top 10 in the B&F count and Davis didn't figure in the top 10.

[Plugger46]

The Swans' coaching team are in AnnieH's camp, not yours, given that Mathews finished top 10 in the B&F count and Davis didn't figure in the top 10.

Probably just trying to justify his selection every week.

I can't believe anyone could seriously suggest that he had a better season than Davis.

[liz]

Probably just trying to justify his selection every week.

I can't believe anyone could seriously suggest that he had a better season than Davis.

I think he had a better season than Davis. I think he had his best season in a while, certainly much better than 2006. In terms of the role he plays in the team I think he delivered far more consistently than most other players in the squad. He had about 4 dreadful games where his opponent ran rings around him and he gave nothing offensively. But pretty much every other game he did what was asked of him.

Davis is a valuable member of the team and clearly has a very different role to Mathews. It is also a role where it is hard to be consistent in. But I still reckon he falls far short of playing at the level he is capable of. For a self-proclaimed "could have won a Brownlow medal or two", he is yet to finish in the top 10 of a Swans B&F (acknowledging that niggling injuries have caused him to miss the odd week here and there) nor has he come anywhere close to AA selection.

[Plugger46]

I think he had a better season than Davis. I think he had his best season in a while, certainly much better than 2006. In terms of the role he plays in the team I think he delivered far more consistently than most other players in the squad. He had about 4 dreadful games where his opponent ran rings around him and he gave nothing offensively. But pretty much every other game he did what was asked of him.

Davis is a valuable member of the team and clearly has a very different role to Mathews. It is also a role where it is hard to be consistent in. But I still reckon he falls far short of playing at the level he is capable of. For a self-proclaimed "could have won a Brownlow medal or two", he is yet to finish in the top 10 of a Swans B&F (acknowledging that niggling injuries have caused him to miss the odd week here and there) nor has he come anywhere close to AA selection.

Fair enough, you're entitled to that opinion but I don't agree that he had a better year. Certainly better than 2006 though, no argument there.

I don't agree with the B&F argument. It's a lot easier to pick up votes as a defensive midfielder than it is as a small forward. It's also a lot easier to stop opposition players than it is to make the play yourself.

Don't get me wrong, I know you're not comparing the two on ability - I just think the B&F argument is silly. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Hall didn't finish in the top 10. He didn't have a great year, but he was still our leading goalkicker - which is probably more valuable than anything Mathews did.

[Margie]

6/10 - is a solid contributor and good team man.

[connolly]

6.5 - Actually lifted his performance this year, which suggests next season may be a "vintage". Played some nice cameos, kicked some cressa type goals dfifting forward under the radar. Did some effective smothers on good players but can't be arsed looking up the details.

[Justice]

5/10 - just a pass.


He plays the role that the coaching panel wants. As noted by others that is why he polls well in the best & fairest.

From memory Mathews has placed in the top 10 more often than not over the past 7 seasons.

He is not able to play the role of a creative fast & skilled HBF or midfield despite how much the fans, including myself, would like to see it.

Unlikely to be drop for 2008 unless someone like Jack realy has a flying start to perseason.


Cheers


Justice

[Wardy]

4/10 - and he has had quite a good year - so that tells you how crap the rest were. Awful disposal of the ball - good at standing near a contest waving his arms about but not doing much, but should he get the ball very good at passing it to players under pressure and with that there is the inevitable turn over.

He may be a terrific bloke and clubman (of which there is no doubt there) but that doesnt mean he is a great player. yes its harsh - but as you all know - I have never been a fan.

[giant]

I think he had his best season in a while, certainly much better than 2006. In terms of the role he plays in the team I think he delivered far more consistently than most other players in the squad. He had about 4 dreadful games where his opponent ran rings around him and he gave nothing offensively. But pretty much every other game he did what was asked of him.

Can't agree with this assessment - and I'm not someone that has habitually laid crap on Ben. This year was comfortably the worst I've seen from him IMHO. And I think opposition teams went out of the way to expose him. There were times when it looked definitely like they were concetrating on Ben's opponent as their go-to man. You compare that with the way opposition teams treated Kenneally or Malceski (I know,I know, different roles - but different respect too).

Bizarrely enuff, the one area where he looks quite solid is his goal-kicking - can't see him making a late career change as a forward tho. Don't expect him to be in our best 22 by the end of 2008.

[BeeEmmAre]

Ben Mathews scorecard

1, 3, 3, 3, 2, 1.46, 5, 6, 5, 4, 5, 6, 1, 4, 5, 0, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6.5, 5, 6, 6.5, 5, 4

Total score = 103.46/260

Average = 3.98/10

Mathews fails.

Scores so far
2. Nick Davis 6.32
1. Barry Hall 5.00
4. Ben Mathews 3.98
3. Jarrad McVeigh 2.34