View Full Version : Matty Spencer
DavidInellaFanClub
14 Mar 2006, 10:48
After watching this guys first three 'senior' games, I'm really wondering what does the future hold for him. Recruited as a backman, I haven't seen him play enough to pass judgement on him, but the guy almost seems a bit too slow for the elite level. He is a good size, but would anyone else like to shed any light on his career so far i.e In the VFL.
The Hulkster
14 Mar 2006, 10:51
Just doesnt seem to have "IT". Egan is way better. Looks to be to slow. Just not convinced. Will play most of year in VFL. Unless shows a lot there will be in strife. But he is back up if we get innjuries though. But thats all.
thehoff
14 Mar 2006, 11:13
Just doesnt seem to have "IT". Egan is way better. Looks to be to slow. Just not convinced. Will play most of year in VFL. Unless shows a lot there will be in strife. But he is back up if we get innjuries though. But thats all.
Could not agree more. He, like many other footballers before him is a player that will be unable to take the next step (i.e. VFL - AFL). He will succeed at VFL (as has shown) but when the speed of the game increases, the bodies become bigger, the pressure become greater and the opponents are generally greater atheletes, he will struggle.
I do not rate his progress as a footballer that greatly. I am aware that he held his Fremantle oponent to minimal possessions on Saturday night but he did little else. Egan, like Harley, Scarlet and other Geelong backman create play, they all have good disposal and provide fierce pressure. Spencer does have any of the above abilities.
I totally understand that the guy is a workhorse and is continually attempting to improve his game. I just think that he may only crack it for a handful of senior games (if he is lucky).
Sorry Matty, this will be your last season at the cattery IMO.
jess_555
14 Mar 2006, 14:05
I don't think they will get rid of him... he hasn't had much of a chance yet to really 'make it'. I hope he can get a more of a go.
slimeball
14 Mar 2006, 16:10
Push him forward. Our forward line ATM is crap and I have seen him play some VFL and he has a fantastic leap and mark. Could be a good leading target either from the goal square or at CHF.
I totally agree that Egan is in form and there probably isn't a spot for Matt in the back line ATM. Needs to be tried in the forward line to show his worth IMO.
He will be a Cat for a least another 3 years easily.
catempire
14 Mar 2006, 20:15
It is quite amazing how quickly he is being written off. I haven't seen him beaten convincingly, he hasn't made a huge amount of mistakes, he's just been OK. I know what you mean about him being slow, but that's not the end of him. Let's just wait and see before we put his head on the chopping block. I've never seen any other player as quickly out the door as you blokes have Spencer.
Comparing him to Egan is pointless. Egan is a freak and an amazing find by our recruiting staff. Thank goodness we got him but it's unfair to compare every other potential KP backman with him.
seniorspanner47
14 Mar 2006, 23:43
[QUOTE= Recruited as a backman,.[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure youre correct there.He hadnt played in the backline prior to comeing to Skilled.He is playing to instructions,the coaching staff are happy with his performances thus far.Matthews work ethic and fitness cannot be questioned.I'd love to see him run off his man and be a bit more of a free spirit,but to repeat myself, he is playing to instructions.He will give his all to the club and the team,you wont die wondering.
answerman
15 Mar 2006, 09:34
I'm not sure youre correct there.He hadnt played in the backline prior to comeing to Skilled.He is playing to instructions,the coaching staff are happy with his performances thus far.Matthews work ethic and fitness cannot be questioned.I'd love to see him run off his man and be a bit more of a free spirit,but to repeat myself, he is playing to instructions.He will give his all to the club and the team,you wont die wondering.
Right on cue, Senior :thumbsu:
I didn't realise that Matt hadn't played in defence before coming to Geelong. Why hasn't he been tried up forward then? He could have been given a go last week when Charlie and Lonergan were struggling. Are you aware of any plan to play him up forward in future? Anyway, best of luck to Matt and keep on sticking up for him! ;)
Mr Sensitive
15 Mar 2006, 09:41
everyone seems to be writing spencer off after a few preseason games... he hasn't been spectacular by any stretch but he hasn't done anything catastrophic to earn the bagging he cops on this board and at Cat's claw. Perhaps because of the rapid development of Egan, we expect Spencer to develop at the same rate??? Its still too early to pass judgement on him at this stage and talk that he will be delisted at year's end is utter rubbish...
FWIW, before Spencer came to Geelong from WA and played only as a CHF.
CatFanatic
15 Mar 2006, 15:39
everyone seems to be writing spencer off after a few preseason games... he hasn't been spectacular by any stretch but he hasn't done anything catastrophic to earn the bagging he cops on this board and at Cat's claw. Perhaps because of the rapid development of Egan, we expect Spencer to develop at the same rate??? Its still too early to pass judgement on him at this stage and talk that he will be delisted at year's end is utter rubbish...
FWIW, before Spencer came to Geelong from WA and played only as a CHF.
Right on Mr we have to give this bloke a chance.
The likes of Scarlo and Egan are the more noticable backmen but they cant do their job unless you have some of the lesser lights beating their man.
There would'nt be too many of our current team left if we wrote them off after just three games IMO
Bobby Giovanni
15 Mar 2006, 16:52
Give the kid some time, he's had 3 pre-season games FFS.
There's another bloke on the list who would've been delisted by your criteria.
Have a look at his first few games...
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4891/stats6ke.jpg
slimeball
15 Mar 2006, 16:57
Care to tell us who those stats represent Bobby??
Bobby Giovanni
15 Mar 2006, 17:05
The other Matty S.
Correct. Looked completely out of it in his first two years.
Rosella
15 Mar 2006, 17:10
Give the kid some time, he's had 3 pre-season games FFS.
There's another bloke on the list who would've been delisted by your criteria.
Have a look at his first few games...
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4891/stats6ke.jpg
And was told by Bomber he wasn't seen as part of the long term plan. He begged to differ. They intended Hamish Simpson to be FB but he got injured. And most Geelong supporters would have agreed at the time. I can recall the first time I thought "he CAN play". Watching a match against the Dockers in Fremantle, based on the above must have been 2001.
catswhiskers
15 Mar 2006, 17:16
Some good thinking coming through! Ben Graham also took a long time to become established in the ones.
Remember too that Matt Spencer captained the WA U18's in 2003 I think - those qualities are valuable to a club too.
Turbocat
15 Mar 2006, 20:30
How many games would he have to play this year to be considered a keeper at the end of this year? Scarlett was drafted when, 97 and was playing by 98. Spencer drafted 03 , just when do we get the right to say , oh well it didnt work , he doesn't quite fit our mix. Its probably not fair on Mathew either. All indications are he is excactly the type of player you would love to have on a 50 player list. But 38?
The facts are we were crying out for a third tall. Egan came in took his chances , so much so that he is probably close to pushing Harley aside. If Harley is a long term in /out he may still have his chance but I would have thought a Scarlett/Harley/Spencer mix would have been better than Scarlett/Egan/Spencer. Maybe if MS comes in and allows Scarlett to move upfield? I just dont see him as dynamic backman.
MS may well go on to be a player in another position although I just have seen anything that tells me he is going to get chance unless he gets in the side,somehow, and an in match switch happens.
I think the facts are that at the end of this year a few of very good players or good players to be will be traded or delisted. I think Mathew has to do something this year to aviod him being looked at.
Somebody will get the short straw. Will it be him?
catswhiskers
16 Mar 2006, 06:59
True. Also we have Mooney to play down back if needed too.
We do have to keep our list young and one or two fair players will have to go soon. Spencer has only had 2 years on the list and as a tall would take longer than a midfielder to mature. I think McCarthy and Gardiner are in more danger of being delisted at years end and Lonergan although young too needs to show more . e.g. some attitude. He gets pushed around too much.
Give Spencer a crack up forward this weekend especially if Ablett N is crook. He spent 5 minutes there this NAB cup and kicked one goal. A lucky crumb or maybe he just knew where to be??
Go Cats
catempire
16 Mar 2006, 09:36
How many games would he have to play this year to be considered a keeper at the end of this year? Scarlett was drafted when, 97 and was playing by 98. Spencer drafted 03 , just when do we get the right to say , oh well it didnt work , he doesn't quite fit our mix. Its probably not fair on Mathew either. All indications are he is excactly the type of player you would love to have on a 50 player list. But 38?
The facts are we were crying out for a third tall. Egan came in took his chances , so much so that he is probably close to pushing Harley aside. If Harley is a long term in /out he may still have his chance but I would have thought a Scarlett/Harley/Spencer mix would have been better than Scarlett/Egan/Spencer. Maybe if MS comes in and allows Scarlett to move upfield? I just dont see him as dynamic backman.
MS may well go on to be a player in another position although I just have seen anything that tells me he is going to get chance unless he gets in the side,somehow, and an in match switch happens.
I think the facts are that at the end of this year a few of very good players or good players to be will be traded or delisted. I think Mathew has to do something this year to aviod him being looked at.
Somebody will get the short straw. Will it be him?
TC - give him a chance, I feel you've cast judgement way too early. You may prove to be right but he's yet to play an AFL game. And why delist him at the end of this season? So we can force an 18 year old kid to play CHB in 2007 if Egan and Harley go down?
Turbocat
16 Mar 2006, 20:28
TC - give him a chance, I feel you've cast judgement way too early. You may prove to be right but he's yet to play an AFL game. And why delist him at the end of this season? So we can force an 18 year old kid to play CHB in 2007 if Egan and Harley go down?
yeah Im being prejudgemental. Yeah , Im probably being a heartless bastard.
And lucky for the Cats I havent got the job on drafting, they would be far worse off than the list we have now.
I just feel the Mathew will struggle in modern game thats getting more and more fluid. He will get better, and others may go before him. Mathew McCarthey would have to under the pump as well, I like his strength and his vertical jump. Injuries , can popup. Will Harley return to his best? I just wish he had something which stood out and said pick me
I'm not sure youre correct there.He hadnt played in the backline prior to comeing to Skilled.He is playing to instructions,the coaching staff are happy with his performances thus far.Matthews work ethic and fitness cannot be questioned.I'd love to see him run off his man and be a bit more of a free spirit,but to repeat myself, he is playing to instructions.He will give his all to the club and the team,you wont die wondering.
Mainly played in defence, full-back/chb in the u/18 championships so i have no idea where you got the hadn't played in the backline info. from?
Played a bit as a CHF as well but the Cat's generally see him as a defender.
Appears to have trouble with the quicker tempo of senior footy at this stage ,as well as being a little bit lumbering (prob. a bit of a Steve Handley type at the same age). Would be a a fair way behind Scarlo, Harley & Egan in the pecking order but with question marks over Harley fronting up weekly should get some opportunities at some stage as the Cat's would generally prefer to use Mooney as a utility.
If his performances don't improve much during the season then by all my mean's his position on the list should be questioned but he can hopefully adjust a bit to the tempo, but really he's only played the 3 NAB games so with more opportunities we should get a clearer picture of where he stands.
As pointed out by a few it's easy to say delist him but then you're looking at another 2/3 seasons to try and groom a replacement (especially where we are usully placed in the draft.).
LifeSpan-Void
16 Mar 2006, 23:38
Mathew McCarthey would have to under the pump as well
McCarthy is GAWN at the end of this year if he doesn't get a few games under his belt. We can't keep nursing someone from one injury to the next. I'd be inclined to keep Spencer over McCarthy.
carn_the_cattas
17 Mar 2006, 07:14
McCarthy is GAWN at the end of this year if he doesn't get a few games under his belt. We can't keep nursing someone from one injury to the next. I'd be inclined to keep Spencer over McCarthy.
Then the next wearer of the number 26 will be one, Tom Hawkins.:D
scottydeewah
17 Mar 2006, 07:33
NAB is so much rawer than Spencer yet commands so much more respect. Just watching our games now. He has 2 defenders go to him more often than is normal for a bloke who has played < 10 games. Why because he goes to the right spots. He is our best KPP young forward. I would play him over Matty ANY day.
answerman
17 Mar 2006, 11:33
Mainly played in defence, full-back/chb in the u/18 championships so i have no idea where you got the hadn't played in the backline info. from?
If this is the same seniorspanner who posts on CatsClaw then there's a pretty good chance he knows what he's talking about.
(shrug)
thehoff
17 Mar 2006, 12:33
If this is the same seniorspanner who posts on CatsClaw then there's a pretty good chance he knows what he's talking about.
(shrug)
I think its his father?
Whats the addy for CatsClaw?
Bobby Giovanni
17 Mar 2006, 12:38
www.google.com.au
thehoff
17 Mar 2006, 12:41
www.google.com.au
Tried that smart arse.... What dont you try and see what you find.
I did not think that is was a huge task for someone to pass of a website address. Clearly, i was wrong!
Bobby Giovanni
17 Mar 2006, 12:59
Tried that smart arse.... What dont you try and see what you find.
I did not think that is was a huge task for someone to pass of a website address. Clearly, i was wrong!
Have and did try it. It worked.
thehoff
17 Mar 2006, 13:02
Have and did try it. It worked.
Care to pass the address on?
I've tried searching on google and had no luck.
Bobby Giovanni
17 Mar 2006, 13:14
Care to pass the address on?
No.
Try Yahoo.
carn_the_cattas
17 Mar 2006, 13:30
Here. (http://p209.ezboard.com/bgeelongcatsmessageboard)
thehoff
17 Mar 2006, 14:09
Bobby, You're a w@nka.
Thanks Carn_the_cattas
Bobby Giovanni
17 Mar 2006, 14:11
Bobby, You're a w@nka.
Learn to use the intraweb proper.
If this is the same seniorspanner who posts on CatsClaw then there's a pretty good chance he knows what he's talking about.
(shrug)
Definately doesn't in this case.
seniorspanner47
18 Mar 2006, 01:43
Definately doesn't in this case.
Sorry i did forget the 3 state games where he was used in defence occasionally,but let me assure you for the rest of the games he played he was used in the ruck and forward area,i dont think i missed any of his games both at college and Swan Districts.
catswhiskers
18 Mar 2006, 07:19
ss47 did you like what you saw at swan districts?
Sorry i did forget the 3 state games where he was used in defence occasionally,but let me assure you for the rest of the games he played he was used in the ruck and forward area,i dont think i missed any of his games both at college and Swan Districts.
I think it had a lot to do with K.Bradley being pretty dominant when used @ chf in U/18 champs. From memory Spencer performed admirably in defence and the Cat's have mainly looked at him as a defender probably based on those performances.
Personally question his mobility to play CHF @ AFL level. What are your thoughts ss47?
Was pleased that we were able to get him @ 42? in a thin, (depthwise) draft (still shaking my head @ Thurley @22!). Hope he has enough opportunities throughout the year to get a clearer picture of his future @ the Cattery.
Turbocat
18 Mar 2006, 15:12
I think its his father?
Whats the addy for CatsClaw?
is this what you are after?
http://p209.ezboard.com/bgeelongcatsmessageboard
answerman
18 Mar 2006, 21:44
Spanner (or is it Blockhead?) was good tonight :thumbsu:
Not an easy job to play on Burton. Young Matt's a better mark than I realised and his kicking skills are good.
Well done to the lad and the best of luck for the rest of the season.
All the spanner family must be very proud! :p
Turbocat
18 Mar 2006, 21:53
As a critic, I feel I should complement him on the mark he took wingish.It was probably the first show to me he had at least something to offer. Not ready to change my mind on his mobity etc as yet but as I said , good contibution MS
Unwritten_Law
18 Mar 2006, 21:56
Spanner (or is it Blockhead?) was good tonight :thumbsu:
Not an easy job to play on Burton. Young Matt's a better mark than I realised and his kicking skills are good.
Well done to the lad and the best of luck for the rest of the season.
All the spanner family must be very proud! :p
Definitely a improvement tonight :thumbsu:
Like you said, he was good overhead and has good skills for a big bloke. Needs to work on his game when not is possesion and the speed/agility question marks linger.
Burton was a poor match up for him but he came through ok.
Jim Boy
18 Mar 2006, 22:14
Now he and Mark Blake have GF winners medals.
Where is the sense in that?
catempire
18 Mar 2006, 22:25
As a critic, I feel I sure complement him on the mark he took wingish.It was probably the first show to me he had at least something to offer. Not ready to change my mind on his mobity etc as yet but as I said , good contibution MS
I think he showed something tonight. Probably in our best dozen out there. Played on Burton for most of the night which has to be one of the toughest jobs in footy at the moment. Mobility was a question but hell, Ling struggled to go with him for the first quarter.
Solid overhead. Solid kick. Good reader of the play.
=
Give him a chance before writing him off!!!
jess_555
18 Mar 2006, 22:28
I AGREE Spanner was great tonight. I'm sure he learnt a lot! :):):) YAY!
Turbocat
18 Mar 2006, 22:46
I think he showed something tonight. Probably in our best dozen out there. Played on Burton for most of the night which has to be one of the toughest jobs in footy at the moment. Mobility was a question but hell, Ling struggled to go with him for the first quarter.
Solid overhead. Solid kick. Good reader of the play.
=
Give him a chance before writing him off!!!
Just talking for myself.I have never said he was useless or some other derogotory comment. I have mostly said he would stuggle to have enough time in the seniors to gain the experience need for him to develop. I have mostly said that with space restictions on our list that he needs to show why he should be keept instead of others. I have inferred that he may well endup elsewere due to a lack of chances here.He may not be quick silver but the longer he spends at the level, the quicker his brain ,his reaction time, his steadyness will improve and it will make him a more complete player. I still dont see him in our best 22, and unless Haley is write off I cant see that changing in a hurry but I'll leave furth neg comment for another time.He probably kicked a bit better tonight I' thought he floated them at the dome I will continue to call them as I see them. One thing I have been totally and consistantly clear on is I hope everyone of the players on our list gos onto be top solid senior AFL players fro the Hoops. If he can do that I will be more than happy.I'll take mud in the face every day if it means we have a better side.
answerman
18 Mar 2006, 22:48
Now he and Mark Blake have GF winners medals.
Where is the sense in that?
:p I know what you mean - Ablett Snr, Couch, Hocking, and so on and so on..
catempire
18 Mar 2006, 22:51
Just talking for myself.I have never said he was useless or some other derogotory comment. I have mostly said he would stuggle to have enough time in the seniors to gain the experience need for him to develop. I have mostly said that with space restictions on our list that he needs to show why he should be keept instead of others. I have inferred that he may well endup elsewere due to a lack of chances here.He may not be quick silver but the longer he spends at the level, the quicker his brain ,his reaction time, his steadyness will improve and it will make him a more complete player. I still dont see him in our best 22, and unless Haley is write off I cant see that changing in a hurry but I'll leave furth neg comment for another time.He probably kicked a bit better tonight I' thought he floated them at the dome I will continue to call them as I see them. One thing I have been totally and consistantly clear on is I hope everyone of the players on our list gos onto be top solid senior AFL players fro the Hoops. If he can do that I will be more than happy.I'll take mud in the face every day if it means we have a better side.
Fair enough but my point is, why bother crystal balling? He could fail, he could make it. Who knows? Give him time. He STILL hasn't played an AFL game.
Turbocat
18 Mar 2006, 23:40
Fair enough but my point is, why bother crystal balling? He could fail, he could make it. Who knows? Give him time. He STILL hasn't played an AFL game.
Its an opinon board CE, and as far as im conerned thats what we are here for.Toss around opinions.No personal stuff thats not on but on football performance , I think , we shoul dbe able to comment on Rookies, Draftees or any body on our list.
Gees Im wired . Looking at the game again on Fox.
Look if he could become similar to Rutten he would be very welcome in the side.Rutten is super strong over head,very good pack marking defender. At time MS reminds me of Mick Martin, that unco type of movemment, if he can work his way into this type of role allowing Scarlett up further then he may yet break in. Im in too much of up mode to be negative on anyone tonight.He helped us win a cup, if he does nothing else, good on him
catempire
18 Mar 2006, 23:43
Its an opinon board CE, and as far as im conerned thats what we are here for.Toss around opinions.No personal stuff thats not on but on football performance , I think , we shoul dbe able to comment on Rookies, Draftees or any body on our list.
Gees Im wired . Looking at the game again on Fox.
Look if he could become similar to Rutten he would be very welcome in the side.Rutten is super strong over head,very good pack marking defender. At time MS reminds me of Mick Martin, that unco type of movemment, if he can work his way into this type of role allowing Scarlett up further then he may yet break in. Im in too much of up mode to be negative on anyone tonight.He helped us win a cup, if he does nothing else, good on him
Sure thing, not attacking your right to an opinion. In fact yours is one I value more on this board. [but don't forget that part of the right to having an opinion is the right of someone else to pass comment on that opinion :) ]
We're in the same boat, hoping he goes on to be a quality player for the GFC. Good luck to him. Seniorspanner, you must be very proud.
Turbocat
18 Mar 2006, 23:47
Sure thing, not attacking your right to an opinion. In fact yours is one I value more on this board. don't forget that part of the right to having an opinion is the right of someone else to pass comment on that opinion :) ]
We're in the same boat, hoping he goes on to be a quality player for the GFC. Good luck to him. Seniorspanner, you must be very proud.
Totally agree.Wouldn't have it any other way. As much as I totally disagree with Jack on H, I will totally defend his right to have that opinion.
GO CATS
The match-up wasn't kind to him, but Matty impressed me last night for most of the occasion.
Mobility got exposed in certain instances, but otherwise looked more at home on the field than he has in recent weeks. Overhead marking is better than I first thought, and his disposal is tidy for a unit his size. Highlighted it all with that mark on the wing, a superb effort on its own, before proceeding to chip it with good precision to the forwards.
rossfunke
19 Mar 2006, 15:45
Matty Spencer is a big boy.. 194cm and 95kg.. around there.. so he is a very good prospect to be a KPP. Probably suited at CHF swapping with Playfair.
Just on him playing in the backline... it could be a good move to see how the ball is transfered into the forward line. Kicking it to a CHF who is running to the right positions will help him to become that CHF one day.
Like many forwards and midfielders a lot of clubs play these sorts of players in the backline.. they play them there like an apprenticeship.. before they are moved into positions were they only continue to further develop their game.
WestCat
19 Mar 2006, 17:45
I think both Spencer and Blake are in similar positions at the moment, both have had limited experience and both looked very very very lost at the start of the NAB cup. However, both have improved with each game and are actually starting to look like AFL footballers. Considering that big guys always take longer to mature I think young Spencer needs to be given the same sort of leeway that Blake has received, as neither are going to be great this year, but may be needed to do fill-in jobs to just break even with their opponents.
You can't compare Egan to Spencer as Egan is 22 and Spencer is still only 19, Egan has a mature body and knows how to use it. Spencer is still learning how to use his weight and coming to grips with the fact that there are big guys running around in the AFL. Don't compare him to Nathan either, that's just harsh ;)
carn_the_cattas
19 Mar 2006, 21:08
I think both Spencer and Blake are in similar positions at the moment, both have had limited experience and both looked very very very lost at the start of the NAB cup. However, both have improved with each game and are actually starting to look like AFL footballers. Considering that big guys always take longer to mature I think young Spencer needs to be given the same sort of leeway that Blake has received, as neither are going to be great this year, but may be needed to do fill-in jobs to just break even with their opponents.
You can't compare Egan to Spencer as Egan is 22 and Spencer is still only 19, Egan has a mature body and knows how to use it. Spencer is still learning how to use his weight and coming to grips with the fact that there are big guys running around in the AFL. Don't compare him to Nathan either, that's just harsh ;)
Hes 21 this year.
ablettjnr
19 Mar 2006, 21:37
Now he and Mark Blake have GF winners medals.
Where is the sense in that?
So does Ryan Houlihan. Nuff said.
Rosella
19 Mar 2006, 22:18
Hes 21 this year.
Born Jan 85, Egan born July 83, so only 18 months difference
slimeball
20 Mar 2006, 14:13
IMO Spanner did enough to warrant a selection in Rd1. Given that Harley is still having injury problems, it would stupid to rush Harley back into the team. He has played limited footy this year.
Go Blocka!!! :thumbsu:
WestCat
20 Mar 2006, 21:55
Hes 21 this year.
Well you certainly showed me :o
Whatever the case though, I thought he was solid on Saturday and looks like he will improve. I know that may sound like a funny statement, but most things that he struggled with were fumbles probably brought on by the situation, and being a 0 gamer, would be expected to struggle with.
I remember another player who had the tag of "fumbles" and has now developed into a very reliable player. These type of guys seem to be a little in the Sando mould in that they don't have the natural flair and talent to make it straight away, but have the guts and determination to make them into quality and ever reliable players a couple of years down the track.