Never mind Sylvia, what about Bate?

[Barrie Vagg]

There has been alot of criticism of Colin Sylvia on this and other Melbourne forums but not much has been said about Matthew Bate possibly because he was a later pick. For me he has not lived up to expectations and needs to play with a bit more intensity. You can't rely on promise indefinitely. He is another one with an asterix next to his name.

 

[TelkoTheGreat]

Re: Never mind Sylvia what about Bate

so what do you suggest we do about this barrie ?

 

[Barrie Vagg]

Re: Never mind Sylvia what about Bate

so what do you suggest we do about this barrie ?

Find a position for him where he can play consistently well or trade him. Sylvia should be traded as well

 

[demonfan9]

Re: Never mind Sylvia what about Bate

Bate had an excellent 2007, finishing 3rd in the Best & Fairest. This season he has not been as good, but it is not panic stations just yet. He has played 44 games so there is still plenty of time.

As for Sylvia, I think more is expected of him because he has been at the club for 5 years now.

 

[master bate]

Re: Never mind Sylvia what about Bate

Bate hasn't been as good, but remember he had a great year last year, was he not 3rd in the b&f, maybe when Sylvia has a 3rd in the b&f we will stop worrying about him. The question on Sylvia is more work rate than talent anyway.

Both of them need big preseasons, Sylvia needs to get genuinely fitter so he can make more contests. Bate needs to develop his speed to apply more defensive pressure, and work on his strength over the footy. I'm still confident both of them can be quality half forwards with ability to go into the midfield, the kind of players who can win games of footy.

 

[dee-molishon]

Bate will always have his shocking games, he is just one of those players. But at least he gives us a target every game and can be a match winner when hes on.

Im yet to say "geee we wouldnt have won today with out sylvia". At least ive said that a few times with bate.

They are totally differnt cases.

 

[Tommyneu]

Re: Never mind Sylvia what about Bate

Find a position for him where he can play consistently well or trade him. Sylvia should be traded as well

That is just plain stupidity. I'm sick to death of these morons suggesting we trade away our future. Bate is as bright a kid as we have had since McLean. People forget that the players are still adjusting to Bailey's teachings and game style, of course they will be experimented with in different positions throughout the course of the year, and are more then likely to put in a few shockers. Especially when they are in a sh*t team. Oh and by the way Bate is only 21, give him a break.

 

[melbournemartin]

Sylvia nearly won us the Bulldogs game last year. That has been about it.

 

[bringbackschwarter5]

Nathan Jones has been down this year, time to move him on as well?.

 

[unstable punt]

Re: Never mind Sylvia what about Bate

That is just plain stupidity. I'm sick to death of these morons suggesting we trade away our future. Bate is as bright a kid as we have had since McLean. People forget that the players are still adjusting to Bailey's teachings and game style, of course they will be experimented with in different positions throughout the course of the year, and are more then likely to put in a few shockers. Especially when they are in a sh*t team. Oh and by the way Bate is only 21, give him a break.

BV is an imbecile, an absolute imbecile, absolutely sick of these 'supporters' who obviously know nothing and all they want to do is trade everybody after a couple of average games, piss off BV and come back when you have learnt something about the game

 

[Bartram_Class]

Sylvia nearly won us the Bulldogs game last year. That has been about it.

He used to rip it up once a year at the Gabba also.

 

[The Demon]

There has been alot of criticism of Colin Sylvia on this and other Melbourne forums but not much has been said about Matthew Bate possibly because he was a later pick. For me he has not lived up to expectations and needs to play with a bit more intensity. You can't rely on promise indefinitely. He is another one with an asterix next to his name.

Barrie you have to be kidding! You must be having a laugh!

Bate works his a*** off every game and is one of the MFC better contributors.Same can't be said about Sylvia.

I'd love you to bring this up with the coaching staff and get their opinion!

Are you sure you've got the right player here?

 

[dee-molishon]

He used to rip it up once a year at the Gabba also.

That is the game i think he was most dominant in bc. Played on a half foward flank had about 19 touches and kicked three goals and we won by a small margin about 3 years ago if i remember correctly.

Cant remember any other time he has played well at the gabba.

 

[davey_magik]

That is the game i think he was most dominant in bc. Played on a half foward flank had about 19 touches and kicked three goals and we won by a small margin about 3 years ago if i remember correctly.

Cant remember any other time he has played well at the gabba.

BC is also referring to the 2005 game where we got pumped but Colin was by far our best in midfield.

Bate has shown more than Sylvia to date. The Master frustrates me at times, but he was always going to be a project player and his best is extremely good.

Sylvia has also been at the club a year longer than Bater.

 

[McLean_4_Captain]

Sylvia has also been at the club a year longer than Bater.

Also, Bate won't be 22 until after next season starts, Sylvia is 23 in November.

Sylvia was also already 18 when drafted and a genuine midfield size player who are expected to come on quicker then taller types. Bate was 17 when drafted and wouldn't be eligible under the current draft eligibility rules (Current rules are 18 by April 30, Bate is 24th May).

Players regularly get compared to their peers from the year they were drafted and Sylvia is a bit unlucky to be lined up squarely against the man-child that is brock mclean. But its' not like Sylvia is even close, he's waaaay behind on that one

Bate was drafted along side Dunn, who Bate had shown a lot more then until very recently, you might even argue that Bate was still ahead based on showing more last year then Dunn has this year.

 

[cannons]

Bate is doing fine. Sure, he may have been better last year, but he had some injury issues towards the start of the year that set him back somewhat. He has still been quite good in most games this year, with the last couple being an exception.

This board seems to have caught the 'Let's trade everyone' plague. Young players need time, a long-term outlook may be better suited in this case.

 

[Pipefitter]

Bate is great, hes been in the best a few times this year which is good seeing how late he started the season. Always hard to come back from early injuries, (Mclean last year). A good preseason next year should see him explode.

 

[McLean_4_Captain]

Bate is doing fine. Sure, he may have been better last year, but he had some injury issues towards the start of the year that set him back somewhat. He has still been quite good in most games this year, with the last couple being an exception.

This board seems to have caught the 'Let's trade everyone' plague. Young players need time, a long-term outlook may be better suited in this case.

Don't lump everyone into that category, no one has agreed with the OP yet.

The guy who started the thread is a fool all by himself

 

[richskee]

Nathan Jones has been down this year, time to move him on as well?.

You better be joking...

 

[DemonJim]

Obviously sarcasm is lost on you rick?

 

[Major Colvin]

I still dont know where Bate should play. In his first season he had some success on the wing, albiet in spurts as he wasnt fit enough. Perhaps CHF, though he lacks the agility to be good at that position. When he's on he's one of our better players, when he's off he looks absolutely awful. I dont think Ive ever seen a greater discrepancy between soemone's best and worst

Sylvia MUST be traded IMO. Surely, we drafted him as an inside midfielder. 5 years down the line and he's still playing in a forward pocket. Obviously, the guy just isnt fit enough whether it be because of injuries or whatever. He has quite good skills but has never had an important impact on a game...like McLean and Bate have.

Get Sylvia into the midfield or get rid of him.

 

[saj_21]

His form slump this year (as compared to last year) can probably be partly attributed to the change in game plan and lack of skills. I would like to see how many leads bate puts on before a) the ball is kicked to him and b) how well the ball is kicked to him.

I like the way our new game plan is strutured but just as the ball carriers are getting use to handballing as opposed to kicking every time. Bate needs to get use to timing his leads better. And with more experience will come better skills.

Have a look at the Freo game (round 6) as an example. We moved the ball slow and inefficently in the first half and bate was terrible fumbled dropped marks etc. The second half we moved the ball quicker ( by foot mostly) and Bate was clean with his hands and marking well.

 

[Barrie Vagg]

Barrie you have to be kidding! You must be having a laugh!

Bate works his a*** off every game and is one of the MFC better contributors.Same can't be said about Sylvia.

I'd love you to bring this up with the coaching staff and get their opinion!

Are you sure you've got the right player here?

I have the right player. He finished third in the best and fairest in a year beset with injuries. He was pick 13 and a Morrish Medal winner but was not selected for Vic Metro. Wher would you put him in this years best and fairest. I think he fumbles too often is pushed off the ball too easily and his disposal is average. I'm sure the coaches see him as arequired player. To me he has not delivered a la Sylvia, Bell etc.

 

[The Demon]

I have the right player. He finished third in the best and fairest in a year beset with injuries. He was pick 13 and a Morrish Medal winner but was not selected for Vic Metro. Wher would you put him in this years best and fairest. I think he fumbles too often is pushed off the ball too easily and his disposal is average. I'm sure the coaches see him as arequired player. To me he has not delivered a la Sylvia, Bell etc.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one! Bate is one of the most important and versatile players on our list IMO.

The team certainly misses him when he is injured.

 

[Yesterdays Hero]

I have the right player. He finished third in the best and fairest in a year beset with injuries. He was pick 13 and a Morrish Medal winner but was not selected for Vic Metro. Wher would you put him in this years best and fairest. I think he fumbles too often is pushed off the ball too easily and his disposal is average. I'm sure the coaches see him as arequired player. To me he has not delivered a la Sylvia, Bell etc.

Ding Dong Dell who is in the well
I thinks it's Daniel Bell
How can I tell, from the ******* smell. TRADE BAIT