Congratulations Matty Suckling 150 Games v Adelaide

[bornadog]

Suckers has had a terrific year to date averaging 25 disposals, in a depleted backline, showing leadership through his performance on the ground.

Suckers played 102 games for Hawthorn before coming to the Dogs including 2 premierships.

Well done to Suckers, keep up the good form, and kick some bloody goals.

[Webby]

He’s been okay for us this year.

[Ozza]

Has been really good for us. His output for us has slightly exceeded his output for Hawthorn in almost all statistical categories, except for goal kicking (18.32 for us unfortunately). Think this season he would be top 3 or 4 in the B&F at this stage, and whether he is playing well or not - has an influence on the result.

[bornadog]

Suckling reflects on 150 (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2018-05-17/suckling-reflects-on-150)


It has taken determination and commitment for Matthew Suckling to arrive at his 150th AFL game.

Taken at pick #22 in the 2007 Rookie Draft, Suckling toiled on Hawthorn’s Rookie List for three years; being delisted and then re-drafted before being elevated to the senior list and earning an AFL debut in 2009.

“Growing up in Wagga and then missing out on the draft and getting taken in the Rookie Draft, my career probably started a bit slowly,” Suckling told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“I think I played four games in my first four years.
“It took a while to get going and then since then I’ve been lucky enough to be pretty consistent.”

A torn ACL in the 2013 pre-season saw the defender miss Hawthorn’s first of three consecutive Flags, but he rebounded to play in two premierships for the Hawks in 2014 and 2015.

“My career has been a rollercoaster,” he said on the even of his 150th game.
“I got delisted in my first couple of years and then obviously had some success.

“I did the ACL, so had to miss the whole year, and watch the boys play in a grand final and then change clubs. Having an achilles injury and watching the boys play in a grand final here as well was hard but it does build some resilience as you get older.”

At 29, Suckling has been the Bulldogs’ only player over 25 this year but said he was enjoying the extra responsibility.
“It’s been really refreshing actually to be one of the oldest. It’s probably weird to say that but I’ve really enjoyed the responsibility.

“In my first few years at Hawthorn I had so many great leaders to teach me and I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to be one of the oldest now and hopefully there’s a few more years left and I can continue to grow in that area.”

Suckling is renowned for his trademark booming and accurate left boot, something we saw against Brisbane on Saturday when he cleared the fences from behind the arc to give the Dogs a 19-point lead in the final term.

“I was pretty lucky as a kid, I sort of taught myself how to kick and by the age of 14 I was already a long kick. I’ve managed to carry that through into my AFL career.

“I think trying to build my defensive stuff and the other side of my game has helped keep me in the game the last few years, definitely.

Suckling moved to the Western Bulldogs as a free agent at the end of the 2015 season and said his relationship with the Bulldogs’ coach and former Hawthorn backline coach, Luke Beveridge, was a big driver.

“I spent three years with Bevo as my backline coach. He was one of the main reason to come across to the Dogs because we have such a great relationship.

“I’ve been really fortunate in my career obviously Alistair Clarkson was a great coach, I had Chris Fagan, Brendan Bolton, Andrew Russell, the fitness coach.

“I’ve been very lucky and very fortunate to have such good mentors.
“I sat next to Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell for eight years, so it’s hard to put a foot wrong sitting between those two. They’ve taught me a lot as well.”

The Western Bulldogs will travel to Adelaide Oval on Friday night to face a Crows side on the rebound from a narrow Showdown loss.

“The crowd is always massive and loud and it’s always a big occasion,” he said.
“Our pressure the last few weeks has been really great and if we can bring that again, it gives us every chance.”
Ahead of his 150th game, Suckling is reflective and grateful.

“It’s a special achievement and probably once I’m done I’ll be able to reflect and be pretty proud of what I’ve achieved so far.”

[Twodogs]

He's been good this year after an underwhelming 2017. He did well to get 100 games and two premierships at Hawthorn. A couple more premierships would be pretty good though.

[GVGjr]

He's one of most consistent players this season and is easily earning his spot on the standard of his performances.

Well done on his 150.

[Eastdog]

Well done Suckers on 150.

Yeah he has been decent this season.

[Testekill]

Unlike last year where it became really puzzling that he kept on being picked despite being poor, Suckers has been in great form this year. Trying less of the dinky kicks, not taking forever with ball in hand and is doing the defensive stuff. He's genuinely been one of our few shining lights this season

[Remi Moses]

Been excellent this season. Reckon he was carrying a few injuries last season

[MrMahatma]

Feels like he's breaking the lines more this year. Making fewer errors.

Been good for us.

[LostDoggy]

Yep, very good this year. With so many out in the back half, he's had to step up and show leadership, which he's done well. Congrats Matty.

[craigsahibee]

After 149 games you'd think he would be able to handball with some verocity. Too many of his handballs float to their target allowing the opposition to close us down.

I'm still not sold on him. Maybe when Wood, Adams and Morris are back in defense for an extended period of time, Suckling can be freed up and use his one and only weapon to our advantage.

[hujsh]

He's shown a lot confidence in the last 12 rounds or so to dash, putting the ball under his arm and bending his back with the belief he can beat his opponent. He doesn't quite burn them off but seems to have enough pace to earn the space needed to kick the ball.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Congratulations Matt, thanks so much for your contributions to the Bulldogs, look forward to your part in this developing yet immortal team.

[Sedat]

Love the faint praise on this thread. Suckers has been great value for us the last 2.5 years and would be on the podium in our B&F this season.

[S Coast Simon]

I don’t know why he gets potted so much. I actually think he has done a great job for us. Congratulations mate on 150. That is a brilliant achievement

[dadsgirl16]

I know he has been good for us this year but I still find him soooo frustrating and I am not sure why! Anyhoo congrats Suckers

[Eastdog]

I know he has been good for us this year but I still find him soooo frustrating and I am not sure why! Anyhoo congrats Suckers

At times very frustrating. The 2nd quarter last year v North good Friday game he was really bad with his disposal efficiency but at others time his booming left foot has been a huge advantage for us.