Matty Scarlett: Geelong's Greatest Full- Back?

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#27
Do understand what "to match" means? It means to parallel, to be the equivelant of. And if you did some research and properly took into account all those honours alongside Scarlett's name, and the fact Scarlett has done it over 7-8 years, not 2-3 like Glass, then you would see Scarlett is UN- MATCHED, in all the facets of FB.

Taking into account the major honours as in AA selection and best and fairest standings he pretty much has matched him, Most of those other statistics i reckon are pretty trivial and and aren't always reflective of an individuals ability. I.e. the team as a whole and the other defenders. Yes, Scarlett has done it consistently for longer, but u cant argue that Glass hasn't reached similar heights. Dustin Fletcher also. Sorry i didn't take "to match" in a deadly literal manner, and no i'm not willing to do any research on the matter so ill concede and say Scarlett > everyone, if it will make you feel better
 

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Thread starter #28
I wouldn't have thought coming runner up in your team's B&F, representing your country, being inducted into your club's Hall of Fame, being captain of ANY premiership side or being consistently the best FB for stopping goals (even when your team is struggling) are trivial honours at all.

I think another important factor to take in to consideration is that Scarlett was dominating when the likes of Lloyd, Tredrea, Hall, A. Lynch, A. Rocca, Nietz, Gerhig, the perennial forwards of our time were all at the absolute peak of their powers kicking 70-80 goals a year, and in some cases 90-100, and he did it in a team that has played finals only 3 out of his 10 years.

It's not a case of saying it to make everyone feel better it's case of saying because it's fact.
 
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#29
I wouldn't have thought coming runner up in your team's B&F, representing your country, being inducted into your club's Hall of Fame, being captain of ANY premiership side or being consistently the best FB for stopping goals (even when your team is struggling) are trivial honours at all.

I think another important factor to take in to consideration is that Scarlett was dominating when the likes of Lloyd, Tredrea, Hall, A. Lynch, A. Rocca, Nietz, Gerhig, the perennial forwards of our time were all at the absolute peak of their powers kicking 70-80 goals a year, and in some cases 90-100, and he did it in a team that has played finals only 3 out of his 10 years.

It's not a case of saying it to make everyone feel better it's case of saying because it's fact.
No, as i said. multiple AA's, B&F, runner up B&F are not trivial awards. But they are awards in which Glass has matched Scarlett. My point was that the 'reverse coleman' can't be a very accurate reflection of an individuals performance. And being premiership of NAB cup side really doesn't do much for me, sorry. Glass will probably be captain of the eagles for the best part of the next decade.
The second point you make is very fair, Scarletts longevity is second to none. And considering all career credentials deserves the title of the best defender in the league. at the moment.
 
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#30
just struggled to squeeze him in ahead of Craig Cleave.
Does anyone remember when they tried Dwayne Russell for a few games at full back in his last season? He was brilliant before getting injured again!

Seriously though, of the players I have seen who have played regularly at full back, Scarlett is a long way ahead of Graham, O'Reilly, Darcy (and also Andrew Rogers if you include him as a full back) but I wouldn't say he is definitely better than Malarkey at this stage. I was only young when Malarkey was around but I saw enough of him to remember that he was all class. For a couple of years in the early 80's he was recognised as the best full back in the competition and was rarely beaten by anyone.

As for whether Scarlett is better than Jocka Todd, I don't think anyone can comment unless they are old enough to have seen Todd play.....which I doubt includes anyone who is voting on this topic.
 

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#31
Obviously Geelong fans who have followed the club over the past (at least) 20-50 years and beyond would be in a much better position to answer this question than I, having seen from generation to generation the Cats players who have called the position home.

However, having followed the vast majority of Scarlett's career week by week for many years, I have to say though without a doubt he is. The man has accomplished just about everything there is to achieve at FB, and he has maintained such a brilliant level of consistency in all facets of the game, both defensively and offensively, since being nominated for the rising star in 2000. Plus he bleeds Geelong through and through.

He'll be around for a few more years yet, will more than likely surpass 250 games, what do you people think?
he would be up there for sure if not the best fulll back of the decade. Him and Fletcher are the only 2 in that league (maybe Glass and Michael also).
 

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Thread starter #32
No, as i said. multiple AA's, B&F, runner up B&F are not trivial awards. But they are awards in which Glass has matched Scarlett. My point was that the 'reverse coleman' can't be a very accurate reflection of an individuals performance. And being premiership of NAB cup side really doesn't do much for me, sorry. Glass will probably be captain of the eagles for the best part of the next decade.
The second point you make is very fair, Scarletts longevity is second to none. And considering all career credentials deserves the title of the best defender in the league. at the moment.
Agreed.

However, I think the reverse coleman is a perfectly accurate reflection of a defenders performance in the majority of cases, as it really is the only stat that matters for FB's and CHB's.

It's just like seeing every now and then a player get 30 touches and play terribly, and you think to yourself boy stats don't mean everything, but most of the time they do.

If you look at a guy like Ben Rutten, who plays in a team who's game is built entirely around flooding, and who never has to do anything like spoil etc because he's always got 2-3 teammates chopping him out, then I agree with your statement that sometimes it isn't a fair reflection.

As for Scarlett however, he has won it in teams spanning from 12th to 1st, and his numbers have failed to wane in this particular facet, even when his teams performance did, so I don't think it has too much to do with the guys around him to be honest. At all.
 
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#33
Does anyone remember when they tried Dwayne Russell for a few games at full back in his last season? He was brilliant before getting injured again!

Seriously though, of the players I have seen who have played regularly at full back, Scarlett is a long way ahead of Graham, O'Reilly, Darcy (and also Andrew Rogers if you include him as a full back) but I wouldn't say he is definitely better than Malarkey at this stage. I was only young when Malarkey was around but I saw enough of him to remember that he was all class. For a couple of years in the early 80's he was recognised as the best full back in the competition and was rarely beaten by anyone.

As for whether Scarlett is better than Jocka Todd, I don't think anyone can comment unless they are old enough to have seen Todd play.....which I doubt includes anyone who is voting on this topic.
It's an interesting point. I've only seen about 5 to 10 minutes combined of a bloke like Fred Flanagan play on video. That was all it took to see that he was a good player however. You can just tell when someone has that extra class, even after only seeing a minute portion of their best work. I've seen extended highlights of Jocka Todd, playing on a couple of handy full forwards in Jack Titus and Gordon Coventry. And you can just tell even in the little portions why he is rated so highly.

I'll rate the Geelong full backs as i've seen them in 30 odd years of watching footy.

1.Matthew Scarlett - Up there with Dench and Southby (as i've already said) in terms of his ability to turn the last line of defense into the first line of attack.

2.Gary Malarkey - Exceptionally good one on one player, was also one of those players whose one percenters brought his teammates into the game.

3.Ben Graham - Much maligned in that many feel he never quite delivered on his potential. However, he is one of only three guys i've seen go head to head with Tony Lockett at his best and beat him, and he's unleashed the two biggest kick outs from a behind that you will ever see.

4.Tim Darcy - Wasn't much chop one on one, but was a quality attacking full back for about three years there. Could also take a spell up forward.

5.Steven O'Reilly - I do believe if this fellow had stayed with us instead of going to Freo, we may just have pinched a flag in there. Showed plenty in just two season with us.
 

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#34
John Scarlett was an underated Full Back. Great spoiler and negater, Was a beautiful drop punt and in those days wowould clear the basll 60 meters from goal after evry point. Was a VIC rep which indicates his ability.

Its obviously hard to compare eras but I would have to say Matthew is probably a better Full Back given the extra strings to his bow.

Having said that Gary Malarkey would be my choice, He was a rock in defence and I can remember time after time he would repel a forward thrust with a strong and timely mark. Also a brilliant kick who cleared from defence in the style of the day magnificently. Had a great understanding with Ian Nankervis.
 

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#35
It's in the AFL Prospectus every year.

Plus it's a stat that I research year in year out, because it's never brought out as an official stat for everyone to see.

It's usually hidden in articles and stuff like that. I can tell you Glass hasn't made Top 5 ever if that's what you were wanting to know, in fact if I remember correctly Daniel Merrett conceded less than Glass in 2007, by a couple like 42 to 40 or something.
whats the AFL prospectus?? do you mean the AFL Record Book?? I have the 2006 version but couldn't find anything regarding that particular stat...

it is a bit of a vague one still unless you watch the games and even then there are still 50-50 calls. I.e. if a fullback leaves the full forward to try and close down a player running on goals only for that player to handpass over his head to the full forward....
 

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#36
whats the AFL prospectus?? do you mean the AFL Record Book?? I have the 2006 version but couldn't find anything regarding that particular stat...

it is a bit of a vague one still unless you watch the games and even then there are still 50-50 calls. I.e. if a fullback leaves the full forward to try and close down a player running on goals only for that player to handpass over his head to the full forward....
No it's this massive thing with all dream team stuff I think
 

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Thread starter #38
whats the AFL prospectus?? do you mean the AFL Record Book?? I have the 2006 version but couldn't find anything regarding that particular stat...

it is a bit of a vague one still unless you watch the games and even then there are still 50-50 calls. I.e. if a fullback leaves the full forward to try and close down a player running on goals only for that player to handpass over his head to the full forward....
No, it's called The AFL Prospectus, it's a big staticstical culmination book of every team and every player, with fantasy info etc, etc.

I do watch every Geelong game for one, as I have mentioned before, and secondly if a full- back runs out to stop an on coming player to only have it handballed over his head to the FF, then it's the FB's goal against, that's bad luck, but that is barely ever seen. If for example the full- back peels off and gives away a free against a teammates opponent and that bloke kicks a goal, then it's the teammates goal against. But these variable scenarios rarely arise, 95% of the time it's the full- back just getting beaten.

It really isn't difficult to keep track of at all, because you can clearly see who the FB's designated opponent is, at any one time. If that guy kicks a goal, no matter what then the FB gets one against him.

It's not very vague at all to be honest.
 

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#39
No it's this massive thing with all dream team stuff I think
You know I've looked EVERYWHERE on the internet for that stat. Glad I know now where it comes from. A pity it isn't a live stat updated weekly for the public though.

Scarlett in my opinion has shown himself over a long period to be a very very good FB, and as an earlier poster noted has done so very effectively on very high quality forwards. He has particularly good records on a number of the monster, match winning forwards playing in good teams in recent years (Gehrig, Rocca and Hall spring to mind), and he's done it even when our midfield pressure has been weak or nonexistent. He gets a bunch of possessions every game and uses it remarkably well. He makes good decisions: when to stay on his man, when to go. One thing I noted when watching the GF (AGAIN!) the other day is that he is deceptively fast. I think he looks slow because of that running style of his.

I personally think he's the duck's nuts. It's hard to think of anything else he could do (other than State of Origin).
 

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Thread starter #40
You know I've looked EVERYWHERE on the internet for that stat. Glad I know now where it comes from. A pity it isn't a live stat updated weekly for the public though.

Scarlett in my opinion has shown himself over a long period to be a very very good FB, and as an earlier poster noted has done so very effectively on very high quality forwards. He has particularly good records on a number of the monster, match winning forwards playing in good teams in recent years (Gehrig, Rocca and Hall spring to mind), and he's done it even when our midfield pressure has been weak or nonexistent. He gets a bunch of possessions every game and uses it remarkably well. He makes good decisions: when to stay on his man, when to go. One thing I noted when watching the GF (AGAIN!) the other day is that he is deceptively fast. I think he looks slow because of that running style of his.

I personally think he's the duck's nuts. It's hard to think of anything else he could do (other than State of Origin).
You are spot on.

Scarlett is decpetively quick, he backs himself to play from behind despite the new rules, but he is seldom exposed. I honestly can't remember the last time Scarlett was beaten on the lead from the goalsquare. I think that is why you find teams rarely look at Scarlett's opponent as the first option when bringing the ball forward because he wears them so tightly, they simply can't get away. When he gets the ball as well he has great evasive skills, and is able to break away from packs cleanly with his dash.

He is also decpetively strong, Scarlett began his career at 75kg so he is naturally a thinnish guy, but he is bloody hard boned, he very rarely gets moved off the ball and he never seems to have any trouble with guys like Rocca and Gerhig in one on one's, but I think what allows him to compete so well in this area is his positioning. He always gets his body in the right spot and uses his weight very well to deny the forwards a run at the ball and to give himself the advantage. I would love to see him moved forward for a few games very late in his career, because I reckon he would go OK. In fact every time I have seen him do so he usually kicks a couple.

Tough as nails, very durable and with a supreme hatred for being beaten too. You hear backmen saying they are happy conceding 2-3 goals, but not Scarlett, he is a very harsh critic of his game. In 2004 when Geelong played Sydney at SS, Barry Hall had 1 goal which he got on Tom Harley in the 1st quarter, Scarlett moved to him, Hall didn't score again but after the match on radio, Scarlett said "well he scored 1, so there is room for improvement on my behalf."

I read an article once about Ben Graham talking about Matty Scarlett in a game against Carlton in 2003. Fev kicked 3 goals right before half time, and Scarlett was pissed to the hilt about it, trudged off and sat in the corner and apparently told Benny to piss off when he tried to pat him on the back in the rooms at the long break. Ofcourse he went on to be best on ground. Fev didn't kick another one.

Being a Collingwood fan and very young I can't really remember SOS at all, so for me Scarlett is the best full- back I've seen in my lifetime, and I would love to see him add that final string to his bow and run out with the Big V upon his crest.

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#41
ALM_30, whats the story with your obsession of Matthew Scarlett? you seem to know pretty much everything about him, which is a bit strange for an opposition supporter.
 
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#42
ALM_30, whats the story with your obsession of Matthew Scarlett? you seem to know pretty much everything about him, which is a bit strange for an opposition supporter.
I'm sure you wouldn't worry about it if he was called ALM_23 and was obsessed with Darren Glass.
 

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Thread starter #44
ALM_30, whats the story with your obsession of Matthew Scarlett? you seem to know pretty much everything about him, which is a bit strange for an opposition supporter.
Clarification:

I have always been the type of supporter that enjoys following the careers of individual players, and I am quite simply a huge fan of most defenders. I barrack for the Collingwood Football "Club", but believe me I am more critical of some of the individual players than most... I love them as a team however.

Growing up I played about 7 years at full- back for my local footy club in the Essendon Distirct League here in Melbourne. As a kid, loving football, you always like to model yourself on certain players. Matty Scarlett at that time was really starting to establish a strong future in the AFL as a FB, and I had heard about him a few times because of his hair, thus he became my player of choice and I made sure to watch him whenever I could.

I really respected and enjoyed the way he played the game, and I guess I've just followed through with it ever since. It's like picking a winning race horse, I picked up on Scarlett at a young age when he'd only played about a dozen games, I guess I got lucky and picked a darn good one.

I make sure I tune into Geelong and Collingwood every sinlge week. I hope Collingwood wins, and I hope Scarlo plays well (not Geelong).
 

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#45
best AFL fullback ever IMO. Many have been able to blanket their opponents, but none that equal Matty in this regard have been as versatile or anywhere near as attacking and as efficient in attacking ball use.
He always seems to be on a player taller or heavier or both and doesn't seem to know. sssshhhhh don't tell him!:D
 

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#46
Not only at Geelong but around the AFL currently his rap sheet is un- matched:

3rd Reserves B&F 1999
Rising Star Nominee 2000
Runner- Up Geelong B&F 2001, 2004, 2005
Winner Geelong B&F 2003
International Rules rep. 2002, 2003
All- Australian 2003, 2004, 2007
AFLPA MVP Nominee 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
Geelong HOF Inductee 2006
Reverse Coleman 1st 2003, 1st 2004, 3rd 2005, 2nd 2006, 1st 2007
NAB Cup Premiership Captain 2006
Premiership Full Back 2007
Victorian State of Origin Full Back 2008?

... and perhaps the mantle as Australian Football's best rebounding key defender since David Dench.
Such an accomplished career isn't it? Geelong boy, born and raised, with such a strong affinity to the club. People would probably not realise it behind his steely and somewhat reserved demeanour but there are few things that mean more to Scarlo than the Geelong Football Club. He truly does bleed for the navy and white hoops.

In a radio interview several years ago, after a game in Brisbane, Scarlett claimed that he would rather retire than play for another club. In his All- Australian acceptance speeches, he would always shy away from the matter of personal success and turn it back onto just doing everything he could to get Geelong back to the top. Now they are there and I think there a few who have deserved it more than Scarlo.

Looking back now, it was Scarlett upon whom the foundations for this current Geelong group were built. His accomlishmnets span way above and beyond what he has done as an individual, but what he has given to the GFC in it's entirety.

Coach Mark Thompson, had always intended to build his young side from the defence up, and it was Matthew who he earmarked as the man to make sure it worked. By the early part of this century, he was established as perhaps the only Geelong player of any renowned profile or standing in the football world. As Scarlett continued his rapid rise, despite the ailings of the remainder of the team, he was the general of a stout Cats defence that was would always keep the opposition honest, and was revelling as one of the league's better back units, and suddenly Thompson's blueprint was coming into fruition.

Since that time, the Cat's have stamped themselves as a genuine league powerhouse, fueled by it's greatest strength: a versatile, cohesive and punishing defence, which in turn has has been marshalled by it's enforcer Matthew Scarlett. It was he who all but put Geelong back on the map.

Anyone who has revelled as I in the aftermatch celebrations of the Grand Final, would have seen Scarlett shed a rare and brief, yet so meaningful tear on the field amongst the crush of his teammates, you could see exactly how much it mean't to him, and to those out there who criticised his desire, his attitude and application for his team, eat your ignorant words.

Matty Scarlett: The Best.
 
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