Rhys Mathieson has come back into the team and made a statement, eschewing the diving theatrics of previous years and delivering an extremely solid inside game based on clearances and hard work. Brisbane's midfield has been a hard one to break into and Mathieson has had a devil of a time trying to do it, but he survived the cut this week despite a few stars returning, and he looms as an interesting fantasy asset to pick up going into next year. His game is built on a nice base of tackles and ballwinning, and his ceiling is yet to be reached.
Rhys Mathieson has come back into the team and made a statement, eschewing the diving theatrics of previous years and delivering an extremely solid inside game based on clearances and hard work. Brisbane's midfield has been a hard one to break into and Mathieson has had a devil of a time trying to do it, but he survived the cut this week despite a few stars returning, and he looms as an interesting fantasy asset to pick up going into next year. His game is built on a nice base of tackles and ballwinning, and his ceiling is yet to be reached.
Duck out of Rhys mess
An effective contributor at NEAFL level, Rhys Mathieson struggled to make the step in a primarily midfield role for the AFL side. A decline in disposal and mark counts saw Mathieson dropped in round 15 and fail to return. The story differed strongly in the twos, accumulating 27 touches, four tackles and over a goal per outing. Entering his fifth season on the primary list, Mathieson has yet been unable to establish himself in the senior side. While a regular accumulator at secondary level, all evidence suggests he can't translate performances to the main grade. He may offer value as a free agent if the trend alters.
Numbers don't add up for Mathieson
After an off season where he talked to the media about lack of opportunity, Rhys Mathieson didn't take his early last year and spent two months in the NEAFL. On his return from round 14 he passed 20 disposals twice in his first three, but then not again for the year. Disappointingly for a player whose tank is a public issue, his TOG did not break through 80% for the season and dropped below 70% a couple of times. Mathieson had a chance to fill the shoes of Tom Rockliff, and did not succeed in developing his game. He is starting over twenty points below the midfielder baseline, and it is extremely unlikely that a player could overcome this from year three to four based purely on natural improvement. Like many of his young teammates, the club needs much more out of him and they may never get it.
Minute issue for Mathieson
You have to have a few tickets on yourself to wear the nickname Beast Mode, and Rhys Mathieson doesn't disappoint with his onfield antics. His second year was underwhelming though, derailed early by an ankle sprain at training and only matching his first year's numbers. His time on ground stat dipped below 70 for five of his 13 games, about which he has made noises in the off season. Mathieson is probably first cab off the rank to take the midfield minutes of Tom Rockliff. Just ask him! He doesn't appear to have Rocky's flexibility to compete while resting in attack, though he does know how to pull a high contact free when tackled at forward stoppages. The Lions have to commit to him to eventually lift themselves above the cellar, so he's a big candidate to lift his ratings to reward a middle-round pick.
