Matt BUNTINE

2017 Digest:   Strength of list is exemplified by the fact a former No.3 draft pick with five years experience is on the fringe of the best 22.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1	Adel	Provided outside run from the Giants defensive 50.	4
2	GCS	Didn’t have a great deal to do down back but was okay.	4
3		Late withdrawal.
4		Knee.
5		Knee.
6		Knee.
7		Knee.
8		Knee.
9		Knee.
10		Knee.
11		Knee.
12		Knee.
13		Knee.
14		Knee.
15		Knee.
16		Knee.
17		Knee.
18		Knee.
19		Knee.
20		Knee.
21		Knee.
22		Knee.
23		Knee.
QF		Knee.
SF		Knee.
PF		Knee.

2016 Season

1	Melb	Defensively stout switching on a variety of players. Role player who did it well.	5
2	Geel	Did a fine job stopping Kersten and in one-on-ones he excelled. Solid defensive effort.	6
3		Hamstring.
4	Port	Defended admirably on a range of forwards.	4
5	StK	Not overly prominent down back but held firm when required.	4
6	Haw	Stationed in defence as usual and was solid. Showed clean hands to get a few chains started.	6
7	Frem	Aggressive in defence with his attack on the ball and run.	6
8	GCS	Serviceable effort in defence and found a lot of space with eight marks.	4
9	WB	Left concussed after a big hit from Jong in the first term and took no further part.	0
10		Concussion.
11	Geel	Battled McCarthy and for most part was solid. Offensively didn’t get involved to any great degree.	4
12	Syd	Strong contributor in the back half who always made a contest.	5
13	Ess	Had all sorts of trouble on Fantasia who kicked four goals. Not a great day.	2
14	Carl	Played his part in backline before spending the last term on the bench with a hamstring injury.	4
15		Hamstring.
16		Hamstring.
17		Hamstring.
18	NEAFL	Promising return from injury. Took a game-high 11 marks and laid seven tackles.	-
19	NEAFL	Bye.	-
20	NEAFL	Strong outing. Used it very well out of the back half.	-
21	NEAFL	Solid all-round performance. 33 possessions (14 contested), four inside-50s.	-
22	NEAFL	Stress-free day in back half. Didn’t waste any of his 10 disposals.	-
23		Concussion.
QF	NEAFL	Did the job required down back in thrilling Grand Final triumph.	-
PF		-

2015 Season

1		-
2	NEAFL	Marshalled the troops down back against the Suns.	-
3	NEAFL	Rarely beaten in defence. Strong effort.	-
4	NEAFL	Solid again down back. 16 possessions.	-
5	NEAFL	Good effort down back. Competed strongly.	-
6	Haw	Roamed across half back but couldn’t impose himself on the game.	3
7	Carl	Played his role down back picking up Bell amongst others.	5
8	Adel	Provided aerial support in defence. Nine marks – many from Crow kicks.	6
9	WB	Limited output.	3
10	Bris	OK down back following Robinson and rotating midfielder.	5
11	Coll	Started on Fasolo early then shifted to White, then Cloke. Cleaned up Patfull.	5
12	NM	Battled hard opposed to Waite despite sore shoulder.	6
14	Rich	Took Griffiths and had him beaten. Did well as undersized defender.	5
15	StK	Prominent in defence on Membey but too many up-and-under kicks.	5
16	GCS	Copped a big head knock in last quarter. OK until then.	5
17		Concussion.
18	Frem	Concussed early in the match and couldn’t return.	1
19		Concussion.
20		Concussion.
21		Concussion.
22	NEAFL	Back after concussion and was fair in back half.	-
23	NEAFL	Bye.	-

2014 Season

1	PM	Kicked a goal and attacked the ball hard.	-
2	NEAFL	Worked well in defence.	-
3	NEAFL	Solid in defence for the Giants.	-
4	NEAFL	Best game for the year thus far.	-
5	NEAFL	Bye.	-
6	NEAFL	Continued good form with 28 touches.	-
7	Port	Lined up mostly on Wingard, and did a terrific job.	7
8	WCE	Forced to battle out of his weight and height division in defence.	4
10	NEAFL	Solid in defence and broke the lines.	-
11	NEAFL	Serviceable down back.	-
12	NEAFL	Solid down back.	-
13	NEAFL	Among Giants’ best down back.	-
14	NEAFL	Bye.	-
15	NEAFL	Played down back and was very good.	-
16	NEAFL	23 touches and a goal running off half-back.	-
17	Frem	Showed some composure down back without setting game alight.	4
18		Calf.
19		Calf.
20	NM	Gave away centimetres at times to Black and co. but defended fairly well.	5
21	Melb	Had to go to Dawes when Davis went down and did fine job. Great one-on-one.	7
22	Coll	Had the job on Fasolo and stuck to it well. 15 touches of his own.	5
23	WB	Beaten by Stringer down back and was hesitant on occasions.	4
QF		-
SF		-
PF		-
GF		-

2013 Season

1		Lung.
2		Lung.
3		Lung.
4	NEAFL	First game back from punctured lung and got through OK.	-
5	NEAFL	Impressed at half back and through midfield.	-
6	NEAFL	Bye.	-
7	NEAFL	Worked hard but unable to stem the Swans flow.	-
8	NEAFL	Best for the Giants in heavy loss to Brisbane.	-
9	WCE	Took an important step in his first game back from a punctured lung.	4
10	Carl	Saw little of the pill.	3
11	NEAFL	Forced to play on a taller opponent and did quite well.	-
12	NEAFL	OK without starring in close loss to Gold Coast.	-
13	NEAFL	Bye.	-
14	NEAFL	Good defensively and provided a cool head when under pressure.	-
15	NEAFL	Dropped off well to support others, then rebounded well.	-
16	NEAFL	Strong game in the Giants defence. Helped keep the Swans at bay.	-
17	NEAFL	Bye.	-
18	NEAFL	Solid in defence despite Gold Coast finishing all over UWS.	-
19	NEAFL	Played as a spare early and had a constructive second half.	-
20	NEAFL	A standout with nine uncontested marks across half back.	-
21	NEAFL	Gave some drive off half back but not as prominent as past weeks.	-
22	NEAFL	Solid effort down back to help repel Eastlake attacks.	-
23	GCS	Had a big first half before fading after half time.	6
QF
SF
PF
GF

2012 Season

2	NEAFL	Still regaining match fitness after pre-season injury.	-
3	NEAFL	Second game back. Got through OK.	-
4	NEAFL	Strong showing. Like Adams, not far off an AFL debut.	-
7	NEAFL	Solid defenders game and went through the middle.	-
8	Bris	Never got much of a chance to get into the game.	3
13	NEAFL	Only fair across half back. Will improve.	-
14	NEAFL	Still trying to hit top form.	-
15	NEAFL	Played well across half back.	-
16	NEAFL	Played his role when required.	-
18	NEAFL	OK game. Taking his time to find his feet.	-
19	Port	Performed reasonably well on his return to the team, including 14 touches.	4
20	GCS	Played his role.	4
21	Melb	Started in a back pocket and had a very quiet afternoon.	3
22	StK	Sub came on in third term for McDonald and had 13 touches..	3
23	NM	Among his better performances in a difficult debut season.	4