Ben Mathews

johnnyhoward · Oct 1, 2006

I know he's not a favourite among Swans supporters, but something I noticed looking through a review of the Grand Final is that Benny Mathews has 173 games under his belt. He's been around for awhile, which is surprising that he's survived the cut for so long. Turns 28 soon, and could this guy play one, perhaps two more years to become maybe one of the weakest players to reach 200 games?

skipper kelly · Oct 1, 2006

johnnyhoward said:
I know he's not a favourite among Swans supporters, but something I noticed looking through a review of the Grand Final is that Benny Mathews has 173 games under his belt. He's been around for awhile, which is surprising that he's survived the cut for so long. Turns 28 soon, and could this guy play one, perhaps two more years to become maybe one of the weakest players to reach 200 games?

Do you have a point?

johnnyhoward · Oct 1, 2006

Yes, he's the most useless player that could play 200 games. Will Roosy get rid of him or let him get there is the question.

skipper kelly · Oct 1, 2006

johnnyhoward said:
Yes, he's the most useless player that could play 200 games. Will Roosy get rid of him or let him get there is the question.

Take it elsewhere.

johnnyhoward · Oct 1, 2006

I thought it would have been an interesting discussion point?

swansgal · Oct 1, 2006

I agree. Ben Matthews doesn't contribute much to the team.

Matthews and Malceski had identical stats for the grand final, but I know which of the two I would prefer to have in the team!

beejw1 · Oct 2, 2006

Ben Matthews = dud. Always has been and there has been plenty of support for this overe time.

is2SWaNz · Oct 2, 2006

I feel sorry for Benny, he is getting old and has alot of games under his belt and is still unable to influence the game in some way. However, there are a few games he plays pretty well, but never consistentley. Most of our swans fans says he's lucky to be playing, one day he'll play at his best. Just don't know when?

SouthSwans · Oct 2, 2006

I hate everyone...

Caj · Oct 2, 2006

he has been a useful contributor throughout his career but like licuria and a few others in the league is not suited to the new quick style of play.

natlovestheswans · Oct 2, 2006

I don't think he'll be able to hold a position in the team next year. He may get the odd game, but unfortunately he doesn't have all that much to give. His position could be given to a younger fellow who can start getting some experience into him.

mrbehemoth · Oct 3, 2006

I'm a fan of Mathews.

He can rest assured that on the list of weakest players to reach 200 games, at least Justin Peckett will always be at No. 1.

SWANNIES RULE · Oct 3, 2006

I think Ben Mathews played well in the GF. He certainly isn't the kind of player that does flashy things but I think he is the type of player who Roosy can rely on to give 100%.

SouthSwans · Oct 3, 2006

He is an important player. Regularly sacrafices his own game for the benefit of the team. He's well liked around the club and contibutes a lot more than people on this forum give him credit for. He is a true worker and deserves 200 games. He has been there the third longest of any players on the list (behind O'Loughlin and Barry) and is the best tagger (while Crouch is injured) we have. He brings a lot more to the team than say an Ablett or a Dempster because his workrate is the highest of anyone at the club.

Unsung champion of our football club that doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Caj · Oct 3, 2006

Agree that he gives 100% but if he is ni our best 22 next year then we won't have improved

natlovestheswans · Oct 3, 2006

SouthSwans said:
He brings a lot more to the team than say an Ablett or a Dempster because his workrate is the highest of anyone at the club.

He doesn't bring more to the club than Ablett. You must be watching two different players than i am. I'm not questioning Ben's workrate but Luke is such a quiet achiever.. i find him so much more valuable to our club than Ben. Dempster is still very young, i would rather have him in our team then i would Mathews. He's getting too old and slow.

SouthSwans · Oct 3, 2006

Well that says it in one how unappreciative this board is of Ben. It's just not right the way he's viewed on here.

natlovestheswans · Oct 3, 2006

SouthSwans said:
Well that says it in one how unappreciative this board is of Ben. It's just not right the way he's viewed on here.

Maybe because alot of us don't find him to be in our best 22.

SouthSwans · Oct 3, 2006

natlovestheswans said:
Maybe because alot of us don't find him to be in our best 22.

But there is no reasoning behing that continual point....

CharlieG · Oct 3, 2006

SouthSwans said:
But there is no reasoning behing that continual point....

Please post your best 22.

Ed_Gein · Oct 3, 2006

Had a stellar year 2-3 years ago, when he was racking up the possesions, struggled badly since IMO. Very tradable i think anyway.

SouthSwans · Oct 3, 2006

B: L Barry..............C Bolton.......k...T Richards
HB: B Mathews..L Roberts-Thomson..T Kennelly
C: A Buchanan.........B Kirk..............J Bolton
HF: L Ablett......k.....B Hall..............R O'Keefe
F: J McVeigh........M O'Loughlin........A Schneider
R: D Jolly,..............A Goodes,.........J Crouch
INT: N Fosdike, S Dempster, N Malceski, N Davis
EMG: S Doyle, H Grundy, D Spriggs

If it were up to me I would mould Dempster into a key position backman and get rid of LRT, but thats beside the point, Mathews is a vital cog in our side and is definetly in our best 22, and IMO in our best 18.

Tuco · Oct 3, 2006

I agree many are too harsh on Benny. But even his strongest supporters would have to acknowledge that for probably the first time in years he had to fight for his spot in the side this year. Possibly it was Crouch and Willo's injuries and the greater depth of experience he had compared to Bevan that confirmed his spot in the finals.

But overall having a highly competitive group pushing for selection is not a bad thing for the club.

SouthSwans · Oct 3, 2006

Tuco said:
I agree many are too harsh on Benny. But even his strongest supporters would have to acknowledge that for probably the first time in years he had to fight for his spot in the side this year. Possibly it was Crouch and Willo's injuries and the greater depth of experience he had compared to Bevan that confirmed his spot in the finals.

But overall having a highly competitive group pushing for selection is not a bad thing for the club.

I very much agree with that post, but for the people in here to treat his career as "finished" and "trade bait" is just ludicrously disrespectful to the servant he has been to the club.

CharlieG · Oct 3, 2006

SouthSwans said:
I very much agree with that post, but for the people in here to treat his career as "finished" and "trade bait" is just ludicrously disrespectful to the servant he has been to the club.

You've said that 'in your opinion' he is in the best 22 and you've criticised others who have dismissed him for having 'no reasoning behind their opinion'.

So... what is it that you see that Mathews provides, that noone else can see?

Log In or Create New Account

Guest - BigFooty Tipping 2026 - Get on! - $500 first prize - Weekly Prizes - Click to Join

Ben Mathews

Brownlow Medallist

Hall of Famer

Brownlow Medallist

Hall of Famer

Brownlow Medallist

Draftee

Debutant

Premiership Player

Norm Smith Medallist

Premiership Player

Premiership Player

Club Legend

Premiership Player

Norm Smith Medallist

Premiership Player

Premiership Player

Norm Smith Medallist

Premiership Player

Norm Smith Medallist

Go Bloods!

Very good. But brick not hit back!

Norm Smith Medallist

Brownlow Medallist

Norm Smith Medallist

Go Bloods!

Similar threads