Welcome to the Western Bulldogs: Matt Suckling

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Love watching him play, we've missed him.

Smart players who use the ball well are worth their weight in gold and that goal was clutch and outstanding!

[azabob]

Fair to say he has exceeded our expectations. He is improving his defensive efforts also.

[comrade]

I didn't see much of him at the Hawks, but he seemed to be on the fringe - more icing than cake.

I've been surprised how committed and involved he's been each week he's played. I was expecting a 15-20 possession type player who floated in and out of the game but he's much, much more than that.

Fantastic pick up.

[bulldogtragic]

I've gotta say I had as a dead Cert for that goal. It's nice to have that feeling in a bloke kicking from 50 out at a crunch moment. Plus it was a 60m kick and near enough to dead centre. His kicking generally is as good as anyone we've ever had, some of the kicks he executes seem arrogant and crazy and keeps hitting targets. Was it one of his worm burners today that nearly knocked the marker off his feet?

[Ozza]

He's such a smart player. It's that Hawthorn smarts that they've had. His positioning is fantastic.

A few seconds before he marked that ball at the 50, I said to my Dad - 'look at Suckling, quick clearing kick from Collingwood will go straight to him if they get it.' He was just ideally positioned. Nobody either side of him for 10 metres, slightly boundary side and 40 metres back from where the stoppage was happening. I've never been happier for us to lose a clearance.

[comrade]

He's such a smart player. It's that Hawthorn smarts that they've had. His positioning is fantastic.

A few seconds before he marked that ball at the 50, I said to my Dad - 'look at Suckling, quick clearing kick from Collingwood will go straight to him if they get it.' He was just ideally positioned. Nobody either side of him for 10 metres, slightly boundary side and 40 metres back from where the stoppage was happening. I've never been happier for us to lose a clearance.

And on the perfect side for his left hoof.

[1eyedog]

I didn't see much of him at the Hawks, but he seemed to be on the fringe - more icing than cake.

I've been surprised how committed and involved he's been each week he's played. I was expecting a 15-20 possession type player who floated in and out of the game but he's much, much more than that.

Fantastic pick up.

I think he was that at Hawthorn but he has gone to another level with us. Must really love being at the club and playing with the guys.

[bulldogtragic]

I'd be happy if almost all players taking a set shot 45+ out from goal hand balled to Suckling for a running shot from 55+. The way Stevie J & Buddy (in particular) do to great effect.

[jeemak]

I can't wait to have Suckling joined by JJ after the break for the second half of the year. If we keep these guys fit and firing we're a chance to get some quick movement back and get the penetration by foot and run to get the ball deep and behind pressing defencive structures like the one Collingwood employed Sunday.

[Mofra]

He actually crashed a contest and kept the ball in front of him to kill a contest we were outnumbered against.

We knew about his footskills but he's actually bringing experience and positioning to the table. Considering he was a FA signing we've done very well here.

[Ozza]

Have others noticed how if Suckling ever kicks short - he sprints 50-60m to be an option for either the player he kicked it to, or for the next kick? In a game like yesterday, where it was hard to find options & space, it is really good play.

[Twodogs]

I'm fascinated with his kicking action on the run. It's almost an American drop punt because he takes it out wide and kind of lets it hang in the air before punting it more than kicking it. It's effective whatever it is.

[jeemak]

Have others noticed how if Suckling ever kicks short - he sprints 50-60m to be an option for either the player he kicked it to, or for the next kick? In a game like yesterday, where it was hard to find options & space, it is really good play.

Yep, I've noticed it more than once and it's something the Hawks were good at employing to break through congested presses. A little bit goes a long way in unsettling a defencive structure.

[The Pie Man]

I'm fascinated with his kicking action on the run. It's almost an American drop punt because he takes it out wide and kind of lets it hang in the air before punting it more than kicking it. It's effective whatever it is.

It's not Australian Rules textbook - Wayne Ludbey (HS photographer) tweeted some great photos of his set shot yesterday, and the ball was in mid air around hip height with his hands nowhere near it in one frame. Looks like he leans back a bit at point of contact as well.

He certainly gets it done though - it's awesome!

[bornadog]

Have others noticed how if Suckling ever kicks short - he sprints 50-60m to be an option for either the player he kicked it to, or for the next kick? In a game like yesterday, where it was hard to find options & space, it is really good play.

I noticed a few times he took the kick in and next thing he is outside the 50 mtr arc providing another option.