Player Watch #34 Matthew Roberts

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So impressive that Robbo has held his spot pretty much all year. I didn't really see him coming even though I knew he had had a sensational pre-season and looked like he meant business. We've found a way to weaponise his cool composure and penetrating kicking. ✅ It's striking to see Lloyd tossing him the ball at kick-in - massive vote of confidence from the coaches.

Now that the dust is settling after our last off-season it seems Robbo and JJ have survived (and thrived) - together with Cunningham and Fox (who some thought were vulnerable) - whereas things are a bit more clouded for Adams and Wicks. Things are decidedly overcast for the likes of Hamling and Ladhams - back up only. Early on in the season it was hard to tell which of those players would make seniors and which would have to make way. Wicks is out right now because of suspension but his form fell away a bit and Cleary's two full games applied a blowtorch. (I wouldn't be surprised if Wicks departs in the off-season after a difficult year. I hope he stays. If Wicks and Konstanty both go that leaves us with very limited depth in that position. Wicks' best is good - but he suffers with consistency and discipline.)
 
Come back well from mid season leg issue.

Team mates need to help him out with comms on Saturday. Been caught unsuspectingly holding the ball a few times - can’t afford costly turnovers.
 

After slow start Swan from wine country matures nicely​

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www.afl.com.au

After slow start Swan from wine country matures nicely

Matt Roberts' first couple of seasons didn't see much AFL football, but he's now a part of Sydney's best 22
www.afl.com.au www.afl.com.au
 

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bedford said:
Fox lol
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I don't think it's that strange at all.

Fox used to play in the NEAFL and looked very good. Has all the right attributes. I raised the idea back in October of 2022:

caesar88 said:
Fox played in the mids back in the NEAFL for a long while and looked the goods. He did everything he's doing in the backline currently, just in stoppages. Has some good breakaway pace, is one of our fittest players, would add a bit of size and maturity to the midfield group (185cm, 84kg has him in Parker range). We've seen he can be composed under pressure and slick in traffic. Could play attacking or defensive, a la Mills.
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Unfortunately I don't think it's something that will even be considered, because the midfield is for Horse's favourites only it seems.
 

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bedford said:
Nice to hear from you , he won't be in the middle
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I'm not so sure. He had big wraps on him as a midfielder when he came to us, and we played him through the middle once or twice in his debut year.

I'm wondering if our coaching staff thought that the mids available at our 3rd pick this year were not as good as Roberts so they picked Bice in order to release him into the midfield?

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk
 
dosser said:
I'm not so sure. He had big wraps on him as a midfielder when he came to us, and we played him through the middle once or twice in his debut year.

I'm wondering if our coaching staff thought that the mids available at our 3rd pick this year were not as good as Roberts so they picked Bice in order to release him into the midfield?

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk
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I said later in the year that he has midfielder all over him
 
dosser said:
I'm not so sure. He had big wraps on him as a midfielder when he came to us, and we played him through the middle once or twice in his debut year.

I'm wondering if our coaching staff thought that the mids available at our 3rd pick this year were not as good as Roberts so they picked Bice in order to release him into the midfield?

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk
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When Roberts was playing reserves. I always thought he looked like a natural inside mid. He was always at the heart of the contest, tackling, locking the ball in and winning possession. (He was like our Rowbottom of our VFL team). So I was surprised this season how well he could play at half back.

I wonder if he can translate the qualities he has shown at half back into becoming a midfielder. He is now used to the intensity of AFL, he was more composed with his ball use and could read the game well.

We are in the situation where we have Sheldrick, Roberts and Cleary. Who all have a few years in our system and are physically developed. They all could potentially become part of our midfield or none of them.

So if we had drafted Kennedy or one of the WA inside mids. Then they could have been the next young mid to come in or 4th in line. We will find out this season how our 3 young inside mids progress.
 
SeanM said:
When Roberts was playing reserves. I always thought he looked like a natural inside mid. He was always at the heart of the contest, tackling, locking the ball in and winning possession. (He was like our Rowbottom of our VFL team). So I was surprised this season how well he could play at half back.

I wonder if he can translate the qualities he has shown at half back into becoming a midfielder. He is now used to the intensity of AFL, he was more composed with his ball use and could read the game well.

We are in the situation where we have Sheldrick, Roberts and Cleary. Who all have a few years in our system and are physically developed. They all could potentially become part of our midfield or none of them.

So if we had drafted Kennedy or one of the WA inside mids. Then they could have been the next young mid to come in or 4th in line. We will find out this season how our 3 young inside mids progress.
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Roberts has got a great build , would like to see him develop his other side ,as has Heeney
 
I think he still lacks that burst of speed and tackle breaking ability to really be damaging as a mid. If he can improve on this, he will be a weapon at the contest, breaking free and hitting our forwards lace out. He is one of the best kicks in the team.
 
Wheresbuddy said:
I think he still lacks that burst of speed and tackle breaking ability to really be damaging as a mid. If he can improve on this, he will be a weapon at the contest, breaking free and hitting our forwards lace out. He is one of the best kicks in the team.
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On 1 side , really excited for his future
 
bedford said:
Well we haven't seen much , McVeigh got away with somehow not being able to use his left , it just brings a different skill set with no need to run around , Gulden had to use his right a fair bit later in the year
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When I think of one sided players, can't go past Leo Barry. I think he could barely hand pass on his other side. But for all his limitations, made up for it with his determination and bravery.
 
SeanM said:
When Roberts was playing reserves. I always thought he looked like a natural inside mid. He was always at the heart of the contest, tackling, locking the ball in and winning possession. (He was like our Rowbottom of our VFL team). So I was surprised this season how well he could play at half back.

I wonder if he can translate the qualities he has shown at half back into becoming a midfielder. He is now used to the intensity of AFL, he was more composed with his ball use and could read the game well.

We are in the situation where we have Sheldrick, Roberts and Cleary. Who all have a few years in our system and are physically developed. They all could potentially become part of our midfield or none of them.

So if we had drafted Kennedy or one of the WA inside mids. Then they could have been the next young mid to come in or 4th in line. We will find out this season how our 3 young inside mids progress.
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I think Roberts is probably least likely to see midfield time out of he, Sheldrick and Cleary. Mainly because he's the only one proven to be effective elsewhere. (I know Cleary had two good showings late as a forward, but two games is not 'proven', IMO)

Ideally Sheldrick and Cleary could come on as hoped as midfielders so that Roberts is not needed in there.
 

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Player Watch #34 Matthew Roberts

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