Retired #22: Matthew Leuenberger - offered a new deal but chose to retire - 24/10

[Tom14]

You've got a seriously good player if his body can hold up. Had the better of Sandilands and Clarke when Martin was suspended in round 14 (51 HOs rucking on his own, along with 2 goals), and a genuine great clubman. Hope it goes well for you.

 

[rusman]

Stoked arguably the best tap ruckman we've had in 15 year.....apart from maybe Bock

 

[yaco55]

Leunberger ( if fit ) can be very competitive against elite rucks. Don't expect high possession rates or goals.

 

[baz_machine]

#bellberger

 

[Howard Moon]

just a word of warning - im excited as anyone but....

we dont exactly have a super record of dealing well with injuries as a club.

hope we can manage this guy right.

 

[Yoda_]

only money spent for a highly talented new addition is a job well done I say

 

[Doss]

I'm cautiously optimistic about this.

 

[eth-dog]

#bellberger

View attachment 184853

#BellBerger vs #BurgerChambers. Interadasting...

 

[Pweter]

I'm pretty happy about this. Ruck depth was an obvious weakness from the moment Ryder left, which was compounded with Giles being a failed experiment. This bloke is quality and his last couple of years have been, by his standards, largely injury free so hopefully he's turned a corner.

Welcome aboard to the big fella, here's hoping he helps the Bombers rapid ascent up the ladder.

 

[BrunoV]

It's the strange thing about ruckmen when free agency is involved, they are basically signed for the 100 games they'll play in their prime whereas usually the movement is of players who are over the hill.

The reality is that this kid was a prodigy as a young ruckman and every bit the young Dean Cox he was being billed as around draft time in 2006. I remember some seriously good performances against the best in the game (particularly one against Cox in rain at the Gabba I think it was) in his first few years and still a bean pole.

For some stupid reason I can't help but think of Paul Salmon's time at Hawthorn. He was battered by the time he left us and went on to play some seriously good footy. Hopefully this can be the same. He could continue to struggle with injury and form our could become one of the best ruckmen in the game and neither would surprise me (though I'd expect him to be more a solid role player).

 

[BrunoV]

Highlights or not you cant fake the athleticism he shows at 203cm and 105kg (or whatever he actually is).

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2015-10-15/btv-leuenberger-highlights

Some of the breakaways from/through stoppages are almost piss taking.

 

[CBombers17]

Highlights or not you cant fake the athleticism he shows at 203cm and 105kg (or whatever he actually is).

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2015-10-15/btv-leuenberger-highlights

Some of the breakaways from/through stoppages are almost piss taking.

Hope he puts on a clinic against Port next year.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

Highlights or not you cant fake the athleticism he shows at 203cm and 105kg (or whatever he actually is).

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2015-10-15/btv-leuenberger-highlights

Some of the breakaways from/through stoppages are almost piss taking.

Yeah, that highly package was impressive. He seems to have some wheels for a big bloke

 

[Runk]

Highlights or not you cant fake the athleticism he shows at 203cm and 105kg (or whatever he actually is).

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2015-10-15/btv-leuenberger-highlights

Some of the breakaways from/through stoppages are almost piss taking.

So by that package he's had 4 good games in a 100 game career. Hmmm.
We should tread with caution when it comes to this pick up.

All the best to him.

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

His 2011 season was top quality and I thought was genuinely going to be the best ruck in the competiton. I still think he is a decent player but needs to be the lone ruckman to really have an influence.

 

[BrunoV]

So by that package he's had 4 good games in a 100 game career. Hmmm.
We should tread with caution when it comes to this pick up.

All the best to him.

Well I did not say that.

The guy has serious talent is all I was saying.

 

[Runk]

Well I did not say that.

The guy has serious talent is all I was saying.

I realise that mate, was being facetious.

 

[gillon]

#bellberger

View attachment 184853

Almost as good as Hurbleton

 

[Rack Watts]

I've intentionally got no expectations of him hitting the field. If my expectations are wrong and he plays more than half the season... I'll be stoked because his ceiling is as high as any player in the league. Loves a challenge.

 

[hurlygurdy]

There is the tantalizing possibility that he could make a perfect match with mckernan. Between the two of them they could bring the stoppage heat that tbc failed at so dismally. The Berger service to heppell and Watson for the damaging left jab, with smack, hocking and Myers for the shattering right hook!
Just praying to Santa (my sons methodology) that mckernan is a chf!

 

[BrunoV]

I realise that mate, was being facetious.

Apologies. Had a very, very big night on Friday and not much was registering yesterday.

 

[MarkG]

Saw Luey's ruck work on highlights reel on Bomber web site. TBC at his best in forward line with Bergers ruck work is an awesome combination.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/video/2015-10-19/btv-leuenberger-interview-october-19-2015

I'm pretty excited to know that Joey won't be rucking next season LOL. Always frustrated me seeing him do that, needs to be forward.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Seems very laid back type of bloke.

Welcome to EFC Matthew.

 

[Lord Nicholson]

I approve of any socks-upperator.