Matt Suckling looked like a million dollars in the All-Star game in preseason, a format which suits his scintillating talents and allowed him to use his sizzling pace off the mark to cut swathes through midfield with his trademark dash. Back in the real stuff, he may also be suited by the new 16-minute quarters and a relaxation on the trend towards lower interchanges, as the length and flow of games will suit burst athletes like him a lot more. As a fantasy asset he still relies too much on handball receives, but he's got definite upside in 2020.
Matt Suckling looked like a million dollars in the All-Star game in preseason, a format which suits his scintillating talents and allowed him to use his sizzling pace off the mark to cut swathes through midfield with his trademark dash. Back in the real stuff, he may also be suited by the new 16-minute quarters and a relaxation on the trend towards lower interchanges, as the length and flow of games will suit burst athletes like him a lot more. As a fantasy asset he still relies too much on handball receives, but he's got definite upside in 2020.
Suckers kicks every minute
Matt Suckling has been a reliable defender since 2011, averaging at least 20 possessions per year with 2019 being no different. A groin injury sidelined him for a few weeks early in what was otherwise another excellent campaign including four tons. The differential for the left-footer was time spent forward, with Caleb Daniel replacing him as the link-up man across half back during that mid-season spell. Suckling has shown inconsistency throughout his career but if you can overlook the topsy-turvy scores, then he's worth a spot to fill out the back line. Watch out for younger players to fight the aging Suckling for a spot in the 22, especially considering that the veteran might be given a rest from time to time.
Suckling no ugly duckling
A two-time premiership winner, Matt Suckling’s nagging achilles injury ended his 2018 season prematurely. The former Hawk played all fixtures prior to the bye, enjoying a career best disposal output as he split his time across half back and pushing up through the wing. Suckling again led the club in metres gained per game, ranked 17th across the competition, with a typically high 79% efficiency and five score involvements. Crossing the 30-year mark, Suckling is a veteran at this youthful club. A string of injuries has minimised his influence since crossing from the Hawks, missing 18 home and away matches across the past three seasons. Expect Suckers to continue to split his time between half back and wing, his long kick becoming increasingly effective closer to goal. Selecting him in the middle third of the draft should prove a wise choice.
Matt doesn't suck
Ask a random Bulldog fan, and they'll probably tell you Matt Suckling isn't best 22. Too slow, thinks he's better than he is, they'll say. However, he is top ten in the league for metres gained per disposal, with the next three Dogs in that stat from last season not at the club in 2018, and his stat line looks remarkably similar to that of former All-Australian Brodie Smith. Suckers settled into a groove in possession count of around 20 five years ago. To be fair to his critics, part of the reason that Suckling looked so good in 2017 is because all the physical attention went to Jason Johannisen, who was the previous leader in rebound-related categories in the Bullies' flag year. Will oppo analysts flip that around and tell their defensive forwards to start targeting Suckling this season? Probably not, just as taggers against the Crows would go to Rory Laird rather than Smith. He is a middle-round pick.
