Who will take Bate?

Matthew Bate is searching for a new football home. Picture: Paul Loughnan Source: Herald Sun

DISCARDED Demon Matthew Bate is confident he can have an impact at a new club, placing leadership high on his list of attributes.

After 102 games in an often rocky career at Melbourne, Bate is adamant he can be a good influence any young list.

"The last two years have been pretty tough, on-field wise, for both me and Melbourne. That was a time where I put a lot of effort into developing leadership skills and realising with such a young group I could have a big influence over those guys," Bate said.

"I really pride myself on being able to show a lot of good character when things are tough for me and the team - whether it be around the club, helping guys one on one or setting training standards like helping set a really good culture."

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Bate managed only 12 games under coach Mark Neeld last season, but played a positive role at Casey in the VFL.

"I know moping around is not going to get you anywhere," he said.

"As soon as you drop the head, slump the shoulders and get a negative attitude, that's going to project out to everyone, and your chances of getting to where you want to be ... are really diminished.

"I'd like to think if anyone there is asked about my character or attitude, they'd talk highly about me."

Bate has shed 3kg in the past year, giving him the flexibility to play midfield as well as half-forward.

He is also keen to try a rebounding role across half-back if a club offers him a chance through the delisted free-agency period or the drafts.

The Western Bulldogs loom as a possible home after he almost crossed to Whitten Oval in a trade a year ago. If Brent Prismall is delisted by Essendon, both he and Bate may be vying for one spot on the Bulldogs list.

"I have a lot of respect for the Bulldogs and what they're creating, the culture Brendan (McCartney) is setting around the place," Bate said.

He played through the darkest days of the Demons, including the 2009 stretch that has the club at the centre of tanking allegations.

But the 25-year-old is adamant there was no feeling that development had taken over from winning.

"I was a young player, 21 and 22 years old and my focus was just trying to go out there and play the best footy I could," Bate said.

"I was just focusing on being out there and just trying to get a kick. The most frustrating part was just losing."