Changes v GWS (post-bye)

[Dory_77]

Mort's had an OK game. If there was someone in the 2's who could play his role and was showing good signs, I'd promote them; but we haven't really got that luxury. Also, with some likely suspensions and the poor form of guys like Greeny, I can't see him being dropped as we don't have the players ready to step up. His clangers were glaring; wouldn't say they cost us the game, but they must've bloody hurt for the lads.

 

[mus0003]

Out: Morton, Green
In: Couch, Cook
Morton has been given to many chances, his kicking is suffering due to the fact he is crapping himself when he gets it. We know couch will have a crack surely cook couldnt do any worse than brad!

 

[Blackas87]

Out: Tapscott
In: Davey

We've played pretty well for 10 of the last 12 quaters we have played, things are starting to fall in place and go right so less changes the better. Tapscott will miss due to suspention, I would bring in Davey to try and get some form back against a bunch of kids, he has played well in the VFL so now time to perform in the AFL. Time for a few players to get some form back against a bunch of kids, I'm looking at you Brad Green.

 

[Dez!]

I agree with these changes. Morton survives but barely. It's not his clangers for me, because then we'd drop half our team, but his lack of intensity and urgency that is glaring. That being said, wasn't he drafted for his amazing foot skills? Still, he is playing better now than this time last year - at least he seems to be trying to win some ball/affect some contests rather than standing outside doing nothing.

Moloney also barely survives. Another absent performance against a good side..

Huh? That's been something that has improved substantially in Morton's game as of late, he's attacking the footy extremely well. Don't know who you've been watching though.

 

[2 Dogs]

Doesn't matter what Morton does for the rest of his career, short sighted supporters will hate on him. Which is a real shame because since moving to the midfield he has started to find his place. Along with Blease and Nicho (and Bail during his most recent stint), we are finally getting some decent spread through the ground. His output to the side has been better than that of Moloney & Trengove, and while I realise Moloney has runs on the board and JT is the skipper, the dynamic Cale gives our midfield isn't readily replaceable. Cale haters seem to have moved from bagging his lack of intensity and presence around the ball, and when he improves in that area out of sight this year, it just moves onto the next thing, disposal, which if you have watched any of our games this year, is an epidemic not exclusive to Morton.

 

[Howezzat]

I have a sneaking feeling Couch might get a debut against GWS... Or maybe that is just my mind wondering. Really hope he can make a long overdue appearance.

Out: Tapscott, Green
In: Bartam, Couch

Also would like to see Martin back, but the unfortunately for him all our talls are in pretty good form. Not sure where he would fit in, maybe for Dunn? Surely he won't get dropped after some good sub appearances though.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Also, to those people wanting Morton out and Bartram in, you must have very short memories. Bartram (along with Joel MacDonald) have been unbearable to watch with ball in hand this year.

Bartram's match against Sydney was his worst in about 3 years. I know he had an injury cloud, but I reckon he should have a couple of weeks for Casey to find a level of confidence in his kicking (and possibly his work on a man)

Bartram's kicking has been absolutely fine this year. He fluffed a few in the Sydney game, you are right. But other than that there has been nothing wrong with his kicking in 2012.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Huh? That's been something that has improved substantially in Morton's game as of late, he's attacking the footy extremely well. Don't know who you've been watching though.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I think his attack on the footy and willingness to 'go when its his turn' is vastly improved.

 

[Demon 16]

Trengove deserves a run at Casey.

However with the bye, Im expecting him to use it as a time to freshen his mind and body. He really is labourng both mentally and physically.

Hoping he can have a big 2nd half of the year, cos his 1st half was an absolute shocker.

I would give him a weeks rest before Id play him at Casey.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

I thought Morton's first half was every bit as good as his second half was bad. I'd drop Green and Moloney before him.

 

[Captain Jack]

Bartram's kicking has been absolutely fine this year. He fluffed a few in the Sydney game, you are right. But other than that there has been nothing wrong with his kicking in 2012.

This. Fight For It backs Morton, and then cans Bartram. It's all the same, both cop far too much heat unfairly from most of us.

 

[Djcjdees]

Morton has lifted his intensity for sure, but it is being lifted from a completely non existent base. It's more his urgency or lack thereof that concerns me. His decision making under pressure is amongst our worst too but he has plenty of mates in that regard.

He seems to be fine when he breaks into the clear and can kick to a target, but when he faces either a choice of targets or defenders converging forcing him to dispose by hand, he turns to shite. Of that there is no doubt IMHO

 

[Fight For It]

This. Fight For It backs Morton, and then cans Bartram. It's all the same, both cop far too much heat unfairly from most of us.

I should clarify that I've been a big fan of Clint ever since he found his role as a small defender (maybe 2nd half 2009?) That said, I don't think anyone has any allusions to his prowess by foot - his strengths come from his hard body work and ability to keep to a man.

He put on an absolute stinker against Sydney and has been out injured since then, I just think a couple of weeks for the Scorps could be good to get him back into the swing of things.

 

[guitarded]

Doesn't matter what Morton does for the rest of his career, short sighted supporters will hate on him. Which is a real shame because since moving to the midfield he has started to find his place. Along with Blease and Nicho (and Bail during his most recent stint), we are finally getting some decent spread through the ground. His output to the side has been better than that of Moloney & Trengove, and while I realise Moloney has runs on the board and JT is the skipper, the dynamic Cale gives our midfield isn't readily replaceable. Cale haters seem to have moved from bagging his lack of intensity and presence around the ball, and when he improves in that area out of sight this year, it just moves onto the next thing, disposal, which if you have watched any of our games this year, is an epidemic not exclusive to Morton.

Look. If he plays well and is helping our side good on him, but he was drafted 4 years ago(?) and has shown SFA since. Granted he HAS lifted his intensity and is trying harder. But why only now? I don't think his lifted efforts are enough. He consistently turns the ball over. And i acknowledge that there are others that do as well, I just can't see us building a premiership side around Cale Morton.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Look. If he plays well and is helping our side good on him, but he was drafted 4 years ago(?) and has shown SFA since. Granted he HAS lifted his intensity and is trying harder. But why only now? I don't think his lifted efforts are enough. He consistently turns the ball over. And i acknowledge that there are others that do as well, I just can't see us building a premiership side around Cale Morton.

He had three clangers for the game, and I think he has lifted his intensity significantly - why only now?

Sometimes it takes longer for players to click; the fact remains he's making the effort now and we shouldn't ignore that because of previous efforts.

As for the last line; do you honestly think Neeld is trying to build a side around Morton? Morton could be an Embley type role-player IMO.

 

[Tulip]

FWIW, I've been a big defender of Morton all year. I just wish he could cut those ****ing infuriating helicopter handballs and kicks out of his game. He looks so concerted when he thinks. Just play, Cale!

 

[guitarded]

He had three clangers for the game, and I think he has lifted his intensity significantly - why only now?

Sometimes it takes longer for players to click; the fact remains he's making the effort now and we shouldn't ignore that because of previous efforts.

As for the last line; do you honestly think Neeld is trying to build a side around Morton? Morton could be an Embley type role-player IMO.

I hope he can TPM. I don't wish him ill, but the costly turnovers need to be removed from his game quickly, or else i feel he may not keep getting chances as he has this year.

 

[Syrus]

He had three clangers for the game, and I think he has lifted his intensity significantly - why only now?

Sometimes it takes longer for players to click; the fact remains he's making the effort now and we shouldn't ignore that because of previous efforts.

As for the last line; do you honestly think Neeld is trying to build a side around Morton? Morton could be an Embley type role-player IMO.

The problem with Morton though TPM is when he shags his kicks or handballs it ends up costing us on the scoreboard, which was evident on Monday. Not to mention whenever the ball comes and you need clean hands, he usually fumbles it.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I understand, but it's not like he cost us 4 or 5 goals.

He cost us one, it's still unacceptable but I've been really pleased with his change in attitude this season - he deserves more of a chance.

 

[LeverPuller]

The only problem with Morton is that his clangers are indeed the worst they could possibly be.

But he is improving. I've been a hater, but I've sat back and tried to give everyone time this year. And FWIW he's improved.

 

[Flyswatter]

there's an article on him in the Age today, I for one hope he is at another team next year, spending a no.4 pick on him stings, but cut our losses and take a downgraded pick at the trade table. he's a weak link in the chain, and despite improved intensity this year, I can't see this tiger changing his stripes no matter how hard he tries. I was sitting near the boundary on Monday and got a real close look at him at one stage, five years in the system and he's still a rake, he'll never play the tough team footy that Neeld wants, it just doesn't come naturally to him.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/morton-is-yet-to-make-his-mark-20120612-2088y.html

 

[Big_Ed]

there's an article on him in the Age today, I for one hope he is at another team next year, spending a no.4 pick on him stings, but cut our losses and take a downgraded pick at the trade table. he's a weak link in the chain, and despite improved intensity this year, I can't see this tiger changing his stripes no matter how hard he tries. I was sitting near the boundary on Monday and got a real close look at him at one stage, five years in the system and he's still a rake, he'll never play the tough team footy that Neeld wants, it just doesn't come naturally to him.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/morton-is-yet-to-make-his-mark-20120612-2088y.html

I came here to link that article.

Most pertinent quote, "Familiar tale of the good being drowned out by the bad."

Like others have said, the fact that he is now developing cannot be overlooked, but this is long overdue given how high he was drafted. It might take a while for him to get back into the good books of many fans. Then again, I remember this bald fellow a few of us used to pick on...

 

[guitarded]

I understand, but it's not like he cost us 4 or 5 goals.

He cost us one, it's still unacceptable but I've been really pleased with his change in attitude this season - he deserves more of a chance.

TPM, there was at least 3 occasions on Monday where he coughed it up directly to opponents who went on to score.

Against Geelong when we pulled back their lead to about 17 or so i think and had the momentum, Morton hand balled straight to Chappy who scored, then Geelong kicked the next 3. It hurts more than just on the scoreboard.

 

[Demon JP]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/morton-is-yet-to-make-his-mark-20120612-2088y.html

Journo's reading d'land??? god help us all...

 

[brock sylvia]

those claiming moloney should be dropped are surely taking the piss. We constantly rely on him and Jones (or on the odd occasion and even then only recently) Grimes to get a centre clearance. Literally no other player gets clearances for us and that showed big time against the pies who had clearance kings in sidebottom, beams and swan. I won't bag morton as he is really trying to improve his toughness but seriously we need to stop relying on Nathan Jones to do everything or else we will be in massive trouble.

For what it's worth i think Stefan Martin MUST come in. Jamar was bordering on pathetic against Collingwood on Monday, got absolutely murdered by Jolly who was only just coming back from injury. Whilst i am not saying we should drop him, I really think he needs more of a chop out and this will also allow Clark to play deep forward, as even though when he went in the ruck we looked better around the ground, we missed his potency up forward badly.

Therefore my changes are:

Out: Green, Tapscott (suspended)

In: Martin, Bail