Toast Matthew Scarlett - 250 games

[re cat]

You forgot Jack Graham and ? King

 

[Last Line Hero]

Re: Matthew Scarlett-250 games

Don't know if anyone's mentioned it, but just for the record...
1st game: v. ESS won by 10 points.
50th game: v. NTH won by 8 points.
100th game: v. ESS won by 23 points.
150th game: v. FRE won by 66 points
200th game: v. RICH won by 63 points.



It is unfortunate that the word "champion" is bandied around as often as it is, not only in our sport, but in other codes around the world also. In the purest sense it is a very rare occurrence that we as supporters get to witness players develop into champions, and the title should be a privilege afforded to only the very best over a very long period of time, and Matthew Scarlett is undoubtedly one to have earn't such esteem. It has long been synonomous with playing in defence that you often endure a "thankless" career having to perform a role that escapes the attention or spotlight, but I am certain that I speak on behalf of all Geelong fans when I say that what Matty Scarlett has given to the Geelong Football Club on- field and it's supporters over the 14 seasons and 250 games he has played at the club will forever be held in as higher recognition as almost, if not, anyone else who has pulled on a Geelong jumper.

 

[oozeboss]

In a world saturated with hyperbole, Scarlo is walking example of what should define those very rare individuals who can be said to be a True Legend.

Not just of the club.

Of the game itself.

There are so very few that have cast such a shadow as he.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Been remarkably good. And was brilliant in Geelong sides that were no where near as good as today's. Love it that most opposition supporters hate him too. Sif u want your full back to be well liked!

 

[Gogeelong]

Great player.
Given us twin boys this week to look forward to

 

[Boxhead_31]

Our backline in 2030's looking pretty good:

B: Harry Scarlett Oliver Scarlett Monty Wojcinski
HB: Alfy Wojcinski Jack Taylor Jett Milburn

That is great

 

[Rosso]

A true champion of the game. Tough, aggressive and ruthless yet he has the attacking flair and skill to back it up that is now the prototype for the modern defender. Over 249 games you could count the times his colours have been lowered on one hand. Right there is the true indication of how good the bloke is. Congrats on the milestone and on the arrival of the twins Matty. FB and CHB for the cats in 2028!!!

 

[Generalissimo]

Well done Scarlo, the greatest defender the game has ever seen.

 

[satan1]

Best defender in the modern era in my opinion, great to see 250 reached

 

[Vdubs]

I like it.

Really hope to be around in 20 years to see that. My father missed out on ever seeing a Cats flag after getting us obsessed with Geelong.

 

[Vdubs]

Great player.
Given us twin boys this week to look forward to

what is the current rule on father son twins? not that it will necessarily be the same in 2030. Should be a rule against the trauma of separating them. Any precedents?

 

[Vdubs]

Best defender in the modern era in my opinion, great to see 250 reached

Scarlett is obviously a freak of a player, and our best ever defender, if not best player, but how would he rate alongside Dustin Fletcher if neutrals were to vote? Yep, I'll get that up.

 

[Turbocat]

Re: Matthew Scarlett - 250 games - The Mean Machine

what is the current rule on father son twins? not that it will necessarily be the same in 2030. Should be a rule against the trauma of separating them. Any precedents?

I would say they would be treated the same as two FS in the one draft. Just like the Dogs last year with Wallis and Liber. For eg. If the two FS are considered R1 kids ( one can only hope) , other clubs bid prepared to use their R1 pick. Geelong then matches these bids with their best 2 picks , R1 & R2. This could be something like (P1&P20) or (P20&P38) depending on our finish position. The picks the Dogs used last year where value when you look at it being done in a compromised draft.


Did anyone read the article on Matty on AFL.com? The Mean Machine is very apt description imo

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/112205/default.aspx

 

[winty]

Would Matthew Scarlett be the only full-back in the history of the game to pick up Brownlow votes in a game where his side has been smashed by 75 points?

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2002/091320020518.html

Sensational individual game that.

 

[Partridge]

Re: Matthew Scarlett-250 games

And before anyone states the bleedingly obvious, yes I understand that we have had 3 of the greatest players of all time in our ranks (Polly, Gary Snr, Gary Jnr), but IMO Scarlo has them covered:

- Polly didn't play enough games for the Cats to be #1. He arguably had the best career of anyone in the game's history but only just over 100 of his games were for the Cats.

Actually for a 100 game career (or thereabouts) I still think John Coleman's record is the best. Had a huge say in two premierships, and averaged over 5 goals a game. Amazing record. Agree that Farmer was no doubt a great player, but other players (including Scarlett) have him well covered for durability.

- Gary Snr was the most gifted, and could turn games on his own like no-one else, but Scarlo has been more consistent, and a massive contributor to 2 premierships. Gary Snr was the best player ever to watch but could go missing and was not a team player. Scarlo is/was better.

I saw all of Ablett senior's career and he didn't go missing that often. I don't like the argument that he wasn't a team player, as all forwards were like that when he played. It wasn't just him.

I'd have Scarlett second only to Gary senior.

- Gary Jnr divides opinion given that he has left, but if we look at the body of work over his career at Geelong Scarlo well and truly has him covered. Scarlo has been more important, for much longer.

I would say from 2007-2010 they were of equal importance, as the players and coaches seemed to think Ablett was pretty damn important for three straight years. Agree that Scarlett has been doing it for longer and now with Ablett leaving he's in a class by himself.

I don't like comparing players, and there must have been great Geelong players well before anyone's time here. But there is no doubt that Scarlett is in the shortlist of all-time greats at this club. I can't think of one Geelong player apart from Ablett senior who he hasn't outperformed.

 

[Lancelot]

Here are some of the quotes:

Chris Scott:

''A lot of people internally at Geelong, I get the feeling, even though they haven't said it explicitly, rate Scarlett in the top couple of players in Geelong's history,'' he said. ''So that says enough, I think - there are some good players in that group.''

Matthew Scarlett:

"We're going to be a very exciting team to watch. It's going to be a very competitive Geelong side and the players think we can win a premiership. We'll have some new players, too,"

Matthew Scarlett after the 2007 Grand Final:

"We just really wanted to bury them. We spoke about not going to take the foot off the pedal. Anytime we started thinking we were going to win, we just cut it out with the talk out there. We just wanted to play to the final siren and I think it showed how ruthless we are,"

He's a champ, cheers Scarlo have a great 250th and go for it...will love to see you on 300

 

[Duskfire]

When he retires it'll be an incredibly sad day for me. Will probably be a longtime before the Cats see another player with his attacking flair and defensive ability. An asset to the game, and deserves to be ranked up there with the likes of Carey and Buckley and Co.

I love how he doesnt play nice to the media either. Just says how it is. No bandering around words with that one.

 

[winty]

When he retires it'll be an incredibly sad day for me. Will probably be a longtime before the Cats see another player with his attacking flair and defensive ability. An asset to the game, and deserves to be ranked up there with the likes of Carey and Buckley and Co.

I love how he doesnt play nice to the media either. Just says how it is. No bandering around words with that one.

I'd hate to be the person who replaces him at fullback once Scarlo hangs up the boots. Like those who have played at full forward after Gaz senior retired, everyone who follows Scarlo will unfortunately be compared to him. Will be an extremely tough act to follow.

 

[Vdubs]

I'd hate to be the person who replaces him at fullback once Scarlo hangs up the boots. Like those who have played at full forward after Gaz senior retired, everyone who follows Scarlo will unfortunately be compared to him. Will be an extremely tough act to follow.

Maybe, but in reality, he is not always playing true FB. Taylor, Lonergan, maybe Mackie are all capable of slotting in there. Pity about Egan too.

 

[SA HAWK]

Well done to Scarlett a true champion of the game.

Would love a defender of his calibre at Hawthorn.

 

[Vdubs]

Well done to Scarlett a true champion of the game.

Would love a defender of his calibre at Hawthorn.

Scarlett for Buddy???

 

[winty]

Just said some interesting stats about Scarlo on K-Rock. Apparently he's conceded an average of 1.2 goals a game, and has an 86% disposal efficiency over his career.

Impressive stuff.

 

[rapido]

An out and out champion.

 

[animalrocks]

Cheers to Scarlett on 250, a champion of the Geelong Football Club and the game in general.