Speaking at AAMI Park on Friday, Neeld said Bate, who is set to play his 100th AFL match against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, was still adding components to his game.
“I think with Matthew, the way that he works hard on his game at training and the little extras that he puts in to his weekly routine - I think there is a fair bit of development in him. He’s quite a strong lad and he’s got really good endurance,” he said.
“I’m not 100 per cent certain where Matthew Bate’s best position is, but I think in certain terms that can be a bit of a positive.
“We know he can play forward and he’s shown this year at times that he’s quite competent in the midfield, which he’s done at VFL level.
“We’re making a few little changes around where players are playing and he’s quite a good kick, so somewhere down the track we might look at Matty Bate on a half-back flank and see how he goes there.”
Meanwhile, Neeld said young tall defender Tom McDonald was being monitored closely after suffering bleeding on his lung against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last Sunday.
“He’s back in the state, which is handy, after a long trip back in the car from Brisbane,” he said.
“He seems really good in himself and there is an outside chance he might only miss one or two games.
“The doctors catch up with him every day, but [he’s] pretty good for what he went through.”
