Known as “Big Red” to those around the Club, Bate says he is very excited to finally get the chance to play senior footy on the weekend.
“Neale came up to me on Wednesday morning before training and said that I was in for this week.
“To finally get the chance to play senior footy, I’m really excited about that…to have the satisfaction and know that the hard yards have finally paid off is great,” he said following this morning’s training run on the MCG.
Bate was drafted as a 17 year-old from the Eastern Ranges, and spent the 2005 season playing for Melbourne’s affiliate club in the VFL, Sandringham. Being so young, he could have spent another year in the Under 18 TAC Cup competition, but now insists that the experience he gained in the VFL could not have been matched by spending another year in the TAC Cup.
“Having last year here was definitely the best thing that could have happened to me,” he said.
“I don’t think if this was my first year I would be playing in Round Five, so I think that last year was just a really big learning curve…it developed me a lot, and gave me a really good building block to have a real crack at AFL this year.”
“In the TAC Cup you can probably get away on ability alone, but in the AFL you really have to think about your footy and have a high work rate and dedication, and their the sorts of blokes that make it.”
Since arriving at Melbourne as the ‘baby’ of the team at the start of last year, Bate has settled into Club life remarkably well. He says that the players and staff have made him feel right at home, and he couldn’t be happier with the way things have gone for him.
Although Bate has been known to play at either end of the ground, it seems he is enjoying his run in the midfield so far this season, but doesn’t really mind where he is asked to play.
“It’s been really good playing in the midfield this year. I’ve got a bit fitter so that’s meant I can put more in each week…But playing half back or half forward, I enjoy that too.”
The 2006 season looks bright for the Bate, as does the rest of his football career. Stating that he would love to be “a one club man”, he aims to have a solid season and try to build on his already impressive record from the VFL.
“This year I just want to play good consistent football, build on my skills and try to get as many senior games as possible.”
“In the future I want people to remember me as someone who tried their best and gave their all for the Club.” And this weekend, who knows? Matthew Bate is one step closer to fulfilling that ambition.
