Matthew Bate
Encyclopedia
Matthew Bate is an Australian rules football
er playing for the Melbourne Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
He is instantly recognisable on the field with his bright red hair
, which is more noticeable whilst wearing the red of the Demon's guernsey, although has also been dyed black during his playing career.
Bate plays as a tall forward or midfielder. He won the Morrish Medal
as best player in the TAC Cup
in 2004. He was drafted 13th overall by Melbourne in the 2004 AFL Draft
and made his AFL debut in Round 5 of the 2006 season
.
Bate's achievements thus far as a senior player include a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star
award for his performance against Carlton
in Round 18 of the 2006 season.
In the 2007 season for Melbourne Bate finished third in the club's Best and Fairest Award (the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal
) with 179 votes; behind the winner James McDonald
(260 votes) and fellow second season player Nathan Jones
(190 Votes).
In 2009 he came second in the club's goal kicking.
Having completed his fifth full year of senior AFL football for the Melbourne Demons, Bate appeared to have become an important member of the team who is versatile and can be utilized across half-forward, in the midfield or at full forward; Bate has been commended for his fine marking, booming kicks and endurance. However, in 2011 he only played nine games for Melbourne, despite showing good form for Casey in the VFL
. He finished second in the 2011 J. J. Liston Trophy
, awarded to the best and fairest player in the league.
During Trade Week of 2011, Matthew Bate requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs
. However, after Mark Neeld
was appointed as Melbourne's new coach he was retained and not traded.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er playing for the Melbourne Football Club
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
He is instantly recognisable on the field with his bright red hair
Red hair
Red hair occurs on approximately 1–2% of the human population. It occurs more frequently in people of northern or western European ancestry, and less frequently in other populations...
, which is more noticeable whilst wearing the red of the Demon's guernsey, although has also been dyed black during his playing career.
Bate plays as a tall forward or midfielder. He won the Morrish Medal
Morrish Medal
The Morrish Medal is an Australian rules football award.Formerly awarded to the Best and Fairest player in the VFL Under 19 competition , since 1992 the award has been given to the best player in the Victorian TAC Cup Under 18 competition.The Morrish Medal was named in honour of Tom Morrish, a...
as best player in the TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
in 2004. He was drafted 13th overall by Melbourne in the 2004 AFL Draft
2004 AFL Draft
The 2004 AFL Draft, concerning player acquisitions in the 2004/05 Australian Football League off-season, consisted of a trade period, a national draft, a pre-season draft, and the elevation of rookies...
and made his AFL debut in Round 5 of the 2006 season
2006 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 2006.-National Cup: 3.10.5 defeated 1.10.15 in the 2006 NAB Cup Final...
.
Bate's achievements thus far as a senior player include a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star
AFL Rising Star award
The NAB AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. Since 2007 the winner has been presented with the Ron Evans Medal and was first awarded in 1993...
award for his performance against Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
in Round 18 of the 2006 season.
In the 2007 season for Melbourne Bate finished third in the club's Best and Fairest Award (the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal
Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medal
The Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Melbourne Football Club player judged Best and Fairest for the season.It is named in honor of Keith 'Bluey' Truscott, a former dual premiership player and World War II fighter ace killed in 1943....
) with 179 votes; behind the winner James McDonald
James McDonald (footballer)
James McDonald is an Australian rules footballer, currently contracted to in the Australian Football League . He previously played for and captained the Melbourne Football Club.- Career :...
(260 votes) and fellow second season player Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones (Australian rules footballer)
Nathan Jones is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League...
(190 Votes).
In 2009 he came second in the club's goal kicking.
Having completed his fifth full year of senior AFL football for the Melbourne Demons, Bate appeared to have become an important member of the team who is versatile and can be utilized across half-forward, in the midfield or at full forward; Bate has been commended for his fine marking, booming kicks and endurance. However, in 2011 he only played nine games for Melbourne, despite showing good form for Casey in the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
. He finished second in the 2011 J. J. Liston Trophy
J. J. Liston Trophy
The J. J. Liston Trophy is awarded to the best and fairest senior player in the Victorian Football League .-History:The VFA awarded the Recorder Cup from 1923 to 1941, and also ran a different award known as the VFA Medal .After a hiatus in 1942 to 1944 due to World War II, a best and fairest award...
, awarded to the best and fairest player in the league.
During Trade Week of 2011, Matthew Bate requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
. However, after Mark Neeld
Mark Neeld
Mark "Neeldy" Neeld is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and Richmond in the Australian Football League during the 1990s. He is currently the senior coach of the Melbourne Football Club.-Playing Career:...
was appointed as Melbourne's new coach he was retained and not traded.