On target to reach 100 games last year, Bate’s career has since had its frustrations. He has played 31 of the past 57 matches for the Demons, as indifferent form and wavering opportunities - plus the odd niggling injury - have come to the fore.
But despite his recent ups and downs, Bate will achieve a significant milestone this round, when he notches up his 100th AFL match. And it’s something not lost on the 25 year-old.
“I know that not every AFL player who gets drafted is lucky enough to make it to 100 games. A lot of hard work and a little bit of luck with injuries have to go your way,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s been a bit of a battle getting there in the last few years, but it’s a massive privilege and honour, especially at this great club, to become a 100-gamer for this club. It means a lot.
“I know it’ll mean a lot to my family and it’ll mean a lot to me, knowing that I’m tied forever with the Melbourne footy club. It excites me unbelievably, so I want to make it a special day.”
Bate’s journey for Melbourne started when he was drafted from Eastern Ranges at No. 13 in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft. He came to the club as a Morrish Medallist - the Brownlow Medal equivalent in the TAC Cup.
After making his AFL debut in 2006 and receiving a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in the same year, Bate finished third in the club best and fairest in 2007. He also ran fourth in 2009.
Last year, he finished runner-up in the Liston Medal - the VFL’s highest individual honour - when he played much of the season with Casey.
It was during this time that Bate started playing in the midfield, adding another string to his bow after playing most of his career as a forward.
He said adapting to a new role had reinvigorated him, and had been a challenge.
“I’ve just tried my best to get the best out of myself and take on board everything the coaches want me to improve on. It’s definitely still a work in progress, as it is for the whole team,” he said.
“Football careers aren’t all smooth sailing - every football player would attest to that, so I see this as a challenge and one I’m never going to give up on. I just want to get the most out of any ability I was given.”
After just seven matches last year - including 26 disposals in Melbourne’s final round against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval - Bate was wooed by the Western Bulldogs during last year’s trade period.
But after incoming coach Mark Neeld told Bate that he was a required player, the 192cm tall was excited by the opportunity.
“Even though I wasn’t in the side last year, I felt like I had a really good year and improved on a lot of things,” he said.
“I developed a midfield aspect to my game, and although that was in the VFL, I’m an AFL player and that’s the level I want to be playing at.
“With Neeldy coming on board, I couldn’t be happier with the direction the club’s going in, and the way it’s being run. The vision they have for the club is something that I desperately want to be a part of.”
Bate has played nine of 13 matches so far this season, but he was adamant he had been given a greater opportunity to show his wares in 2012.
“I’ve been treated the same as every other player. If you do the right things and show the work ethic, then you’ll get rewarded for it,” he said.
“I definitely feel I’ve got a lot to offer playing through the midfield and up forward. The midfield is primarily the position I’m focusing on. As a midfielder you’ve got to have certain qualities to your game - you have to be really good on the offensive and defensive spread.
“It’s very much a new role to what I’ve been used to for most of my career, so [I’m] trying to develop those areas to match it with the best in the competition.”
But when reflecting on his first two seasons in 2005-06 - including Melbourne’s most recent finals campaigns - Bate said it was an invaluable time.
“You look back and there was a bit more success as a team back then. I played finals in my second year. In my first year, I didn’t play a game and I spent my first year developing in the VFL and was lucky enough to play in a grand final for Sandringham. That was a really, really important year for my development,” he said.
“Even in my second year of football, I had a really good pre-season and I was in great form, but I still had to wait until round five for my first game. I had to put in a few really good performances in a row in the VFL to get my first game. Then when I came in, I took my opportunity and I was able to carry it on for the next few years.
“But even then, there were ups and downs through those years - I got dropped a couple of times … you’ve just got to do your best to ride through them as best you can.”
Even when he finished third in Melbourne’s best and fairest in 2007, Bate said it wasn’t an easy season.
“That year, I was dropped in round three, and then I was on the way to a VFL game and got a call up to the AFL and it just happened to be that I played OK that game,” he said.
“I played well enough to get my spot the next week, and then from there I went on a run of some really good performances.
“If I had stayed in the VFL, I don’t know what would’ve happened. Hopefully I would’ve fought my way back into the side, but I don’t look at that as coming easy.”
Away from the game, Bate’s love for music and playing guitar has been recognised. But he also has another interest that he wants to pursue in the long term.
“Guitar and music are still a real passion of mine,” he said.
“But I’ve been doing a bit of work in the health industry and I’m looking to start a nutrition course - a sports nutrition degree, about health and wellbeing. Diet is a real passion of mine.
“Music and that are the two main things.”
But in the meantime, Bate is hellbent on being part of a rejuvenated Melbourne side.
“I definitely believe I’ve got a lot to offer the team,” he said.
“My challenge is to show that consistently on the field. I feel like I have been setting high standards with my training and work ethic.
“You’ve just got to get consistent results and nail a position in the midfield and hold onto it.”
And, although the past two and a half seasons haven’t been easy, Bate is adamant his love for the game and the Demons hasn’t wavered.
“I love footy, and what drives me is getting the most out of myself until the end of my career and not leaving any stone unturned,” he said.
“I know I’ve still got a little way to go, and I don’t find that frustrating at all. It’s the best standard of football in Australia and it’s going to be hard.
“Nothing comes easy, and the game at the moment is very demanding on the body and the skill level. There is more thinking out on the ground than ever before, so it’s challenging for everyone. I know that if I keep working and working, the hard work will pay off.”
