Career

At the conclusion of the 2012 American Federation of Labor-Congress season, he was delisted by the Melbourne Football Club and subsequently drafted to the Essendon Football Club"s reserve side in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Bate plays as a tall forward or midfielder. He was drafted 13th overall by Melbourne in the 2004 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft and made his American Federation of Labor-Congress debut in Round 5 of the 2006 season.

In 2009 he came second in the club"s goal kicking.

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 VFL"s best and fairest player. 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.

Achievements

• He won the Morrish Medal as best player in the TAC Cup in 2004. Bate"s achievements as a senior player include a nomination for the National Association of Broadcasters American Federation of Labor-Congress 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).

Membership

Having completed his fifth full year of senior American Federation of Labor-Congress football for the Melbourne Demons, Bate appeared to have become an important member of the team who was versatile and could be utilized across half-forward, in the midfield or at full forward. Bate has been commended for his fine marking, booming kicks and endurance.