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Macca19
11 Nov 2002, 15:55
#19 Matthew Bishop

http://portadelaidefc.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/person/013406ao.jpg

2002: After playing just 25 games in his previous two seasons at Alberton, Matty stepped forward this year to play all 25 games for the Power. In previous years he had been used mainly as a spare defender coming off the bench or if a regular had been injured and he always seemed a bit unsure of himself and lacked a bit of confidence, but this year that all changed. However it didnt come without a touch of luck.
Scott Bassett looked set to become the third tall in our defence after a supurb second half to 2001, yet had a long term injury which kept him out of pre season training and the start of the year. Enter Matty Bishop. He soon cemented himself as the no. 3 defender and added a lot of run out of defence. Matty had gained that confidence with the added game time and never backed away from carrying the ball out of defence.

Defensively 'the Bish' was supurb. He was only defeated a couple of times all year. His scalps included names such as Tarrant, Bradshaw, Lucas, Schwarz, Mark Stevens, Burton, McCartney, Kingsley, Barker and Riewoldt. He was beaten only 4 times in season 2002, quite an admirable effort from someone that had only just become a regular.

Matty Bishop was also named our 2002 Finals Player of the Year after three good games in defence. Its like he thrived in the extra responsibility on his shoulders after the injury to Wakelin. In the end the unconfident bench warmer became a confident running rebounding machine! Finishing the year no.4 in Marks (118) for the Power and no.1 in Rebounds from Defensive 50 (76), Year 2002 can well be considered a success in every possible way for Bish!

2003: Next year should see Bishop remain as our no.2 defender behind Wakelin and ahead of Paxman/Thurstans. At age 27, Bishop is entering his prime and i look forward to seeing him running out of defence again next year.

2002 Games: 25 2002 Goals: 2
Kicks: 212 Handballs: 72 Marks: 118

BigFooty Rating: 22 BigFooty Votes: 13
Macca19 Rating: 9 Macca19 Votes: 122

SANFL Stats
N/A

Badger
11 Nov 2002, 16:03
Matty's motto for 2003: I will survive, hey, hey!

Eago77
12 Nov 2002, 10:19
There once was a bloke named the Bish
Who certainly isn't a dish
From defence he does fly
You know he'll always try
As good as Meady? We Wish!

dreamkillers
12 Nov 2002, 12:09
Bish certainly stepped up when the opportunity presented itself last year...........will be looking for a few other players to do the same thing in 2003.

Great work Macca19.......as usual......:D

Eago77
13 Nov 2002, 11:46
Bish certainly had his best year of AFL footy by a mile. Hopefully next year he will continue on with his form. One thing that worries me about the Bish is that he sometimes holds onto the ball to long, i'd probably rather see him boot it forward rather than try and be fancy, he's not Peter Burgoyne!

Tredders#16
13 Nov 2002, 11:58
Originally posted by Eago77
There once was a bloke named the Bish
Who certainly isn't a dish
From defence he does fly
You know he'll always try
As good as Meady? We Wish!

I trust that will be the last of your poetry, Eago? :o

Tredders#16

Eago77
13 Nov 2002, 16:48
Didn't you like it?
:( :(