Mega Thread Delist/Trade/Draft Super-mega-ultrathread

[Carbine Chaos]

That's a dubious statement and I think you'll find most people on this board won't agree.

I don't really care if most people on the board agree or not.

It is pretty clear that Morton has done more at AFL level to this point than Cripps.

 

[Masto]

I don't really care if most people on the board agree or not.

It is pretty clear that Morton has done more at AFL level to this point than Cripps.

Done more in what way? He's played more games but that's to be expected because he is older. Done more as in cementing himself as an AFL player? No he hasn't considering Cripps was a regular and Morton was playing in the magoos for a terrible team. There's a reason why one was traded for picks 41 and 46 and the other for pick 88.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Done more in what way? He's played more games but that's to be expected because he is older. Done more as in cementing himself as an AFL player? No he hasn't considering Cripps was a regular and Morton was playing in the magoos for a terrible team. There's a reason why one was traded for picks 41 and 46 and the other for pick 88.

His first couple of seasons showed his talent. I'm not denying that he has faded, but being at a rabble of a club probably does that to a young guy. Wears you down.

Cripps has been handy as a sub, nothing more. I'm sure he'll become a good player with time.

 

[Goldfish]

Done more in what way? He's played more games but that's to be expected because he is older. Done more as in cementing himself as an AFL player? No he hasn't considering Cripps was a regular and Morton was playing in the magoos for a terrible team. There's a reason why one was traded for picks 41 and 46 and the other for pick 88.

Interesting article on Morton
http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/7233-the-puzzling-case-of-cale-morton

Morton won the Demon's best first year player in 2008, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then...
http://www.melbournefc.com.au/porta...10VgnVCM100000976fb70aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default?

Can Woosh help him rediscover that form? If so, he will be better for us next year than Cripps. If not, Cripps will be more important.

Either way I back our club to get the best we can from both of them, we wouldn't have traded for them if we didn't think otherwise.

 

[Agent93]

Morton won the Demon's best first year player in 2008, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then...

Ben McKinley was the Eagles' best first year player in the same year...

 

[Goldfish]

Ben McKinley was the Eagles' best first year player in the same year...

I didn't say it meant he would be any good...

 

[Masto]

His first couple of seasons showed his talent. I'm not denying that he has faded, but being at a rabble of a club probably does that to a young guy. Wears you down.

Cripps has been handy as a sub, nothing more. I'm sure he'll become a good player with time.

He never established himself beyond a young player who played loose in defense and picked up cheap stats - and that was in his 1st and 2nd year. He was always overrated and never should have been taken at pick 4. If he is going to succeed at the Eagles he is going to have to reinvent himself, which he is capable of doing but on past form he is a long way from being an AFL player.

 

[fryzie]

Done more in what way? He's played more games but that's to be expected because he is older. Done more as in cementing himself as an AFL player? No he hasn't considering Cripps was a regular and Morton was playing in the magoos for a terrible team. There's a reason why one was traded for picks 41 and 46 and the other for pick 88.

Melbourne are incompetent?

You could also say that despite everything else there's a reason one was drafted at pick 4 and one was drafted at pick 24. Talent.

Both are Eagles now and that could change everything. Nobody has ever disputed Cale's talent, it's been his work ethic and attack on the ball that has been an issue. Fix that and there's no reason he couldn't cement a spot in our best 22 by mid season if he gains some confidence. See Josh Hill.

Morton's best games at AFL level have been far, far better than Cripps' best games and only after the pre-season and a few WAFL games will we be able to determine who is more likely to break into the side. Based on needs, it may be Cripps, but he's still behind a few in the pecking order for mine so based on talent alone Cale is more of a chance if he gets some form and confidence in the WAFL that is hard to overlook.

 

[fryzie]

 

[Marlin01]

I couldn't give a you-know-what about Morton's atitude and how well he speaks in interviews. He needs to hit his first contested ball like a train and keep doing it for the rest of his career.

 

[the harry]

I'm surprised people are so optimistic about Morton.

Is this the new Team Swift v Team Koby?

 

[fryzie]

I'm surprised people are so optimistic about Morton.

Is this the new Team Swift v Team Koby?

I'm willing to give a #4 WA draft pick that was ruined by a club that was motivated by tanking for draft picks a large portion of the time he was there the same level of optimism I would have given him if we'd taken him at pick #3 in 07 instead of Masten.

 

[nameless]

I'm starting to build a little confidence in Morton after I've heard so much of how much he just hated the MFC and Melbourne in general.
I think that being in a better state of mind and better place will really help kick-start his career.

It's often been proven that a healthy home life = healthy on-field performance.

Let's hope it happens for Cale.

 

[Avalor]

I couldn't give a you-know-what about Morton's atitude and how well he speaks in interviews. He needs to hit his first contested ball like a train and keep doing it for the rest of his career.

Spot on - he needs to syphon off a bit of Beau Water's mentality. Die winning the ball if need be.

 

[twce13]

I have hopes for both, but am more interested in Shep and maybe even ash smith in a new role.

 

[nameless]

Spot on - he needs to syphon off a bit of Beau Water's mentality. Die winning the ball if need be.

Why does he need to do this though?
You don't judge Glass on how many goals he kicks, why do you judge a purely outside runner on his ability to get contested ball?

Gaff is our best outside player, doesn't tackle or get many clearances or contested ball, but does his role to the best of his physical ability and is therefore one of the best wingman in the league - or will be in the next 2-3 years.

I don't think you want Morton going overboard putting his head in and getting the ball, you'd like to see some intent (which you do see from Gaff quite a bit, and from reports, a lot more of at training) but if everyone jumps on the pill you're not going to go very far.

For Morton it's got nothing to do with his contested ball, that's only been highlighted because of the Lade incident. If Morton had been displaying his sublime skills and using his running to effect no one would care about his lack of contested ball.

That's what we need him to do, play smart, run smart and use his skills to move the ball forward with effect.

 

[the harry]

Gaff doesn't squib.

His first game he got decked and bounced striaght back up. He's no Kerr but when he needs to go I would think most would have faith he'd do it without a second thought.

 

[nameless]

Gaff doesn't squib.

His first game he got decked and bounced striaght back up. He's no Kerr but when he needs to go I would think most would have faith he'd do it without a second thought.

Gaff does stand up when needed and I did say he shows intent to get involved and does take it on, but it's not his strong point and I just don't buy this whole "Morton must get his head ripped off going for the hard ball or he'll never make it" talk.

 

[fryzie]

Gaff doesn't squib.

His first game he got decked and bounced striaght back up. He's no Kerr but when he needs to go I would think most would have faith he'd do it without a second thought.

I've seen him duck his head on at least a couple of occasions, but that was early on he seems to be hardening up as he grows in strength/experience/confidence.

No reason Morton can't do the same at West Coast, but at Melbourne why would you bother throwing your head over the ball or attacking a contest if none of your team mates are going to do the same thing or you aren't getting much encouragement from the coaching staff to do so because they're more interested in draft picks than winning?

 

[the harry]

Gaff does stand up when needed and I did say he shows intent to get involved and does take it on, but it's not his strong point and I just don't buy this whole "Morton must get his head ripped off going for the hard ball or he'll never make it" talk.

I personally don't think Morton needs to try and get himself killed, but I don't want to see him avoiding the contest to the detriment of the team. I think it would just be more an indication of a change in attitude and de-melbourning him.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

I'm surprised people are so optimistic about Morton.

Is this the new Team Swift v Team Koby?

Tunbridge V Morton.

Leave the little guys out of this.

 

[Jack_the_Ninja]

I knew that would be a fun question.

Two pages of light hearted healthy discussion, and nary a semantics debate in sight. It's what preseason is all about.

FWIW I reckon Dalziell deserves more time in the side than all three of Morton, Cripps and Hutchings put together.

Would you have Dalziell and Rosa in the same team ? may as well recruit Steve Moneghetti to run for us instead.

 

[ziad]

That's a dubious statement and I think you'll find most people on this board won't agree. Cripps' form in 2012 was much better. He was pretty much a regular while Morton was dropped after a series of bad performances. Morton's good form was from 3 years ago. It remains to be seen whether he can ever recapture that form and the AFL is very much a 'what have you done for me lately' league.

watching the Fox replays of this season gone, they are both very much fringe players.

 

[the harry]

Tunbridge V Morton.

Leave the little guys out of this.

The pre season reports of Tunbridge so far are very exciting.

The mixed reports on his wafl performances this seaoson were less than I'd hoped. He was after all 1 of 12 17 year olds picked up by the Giants and thus had already had some serious training.

Although this was only in a 3 month age range so really he was pro rata 1 of the top 48 17 year olds, but still, his attitude with getting the personal trainer rather than train with the club last year was encouraging.

Not sure exactly where he'd fit into the team but can never have enough guys with good foot skills.

If it's Tunbridge v Morton I'm on Team Tunbridge.

 

[INSANE]

I've seen him duck his head on at least a couple of occasions, but that was early on he seems to be hardening up as he grows in strength/experience/confidence.

No reason Morton can't do the same at West Coast, but at Melbourne why would you bother throwing your head over the ball or attacking a contest if none of your team mates are going to do the same thing or you aren't getting much encouragement from the coaching staff to do so because they're more interested in draft picks than winning?

That seems to be his prob, not enough desire to become something. Can't imagine Selwood or Cotchin not bothering to go hard because others aren't. Piss weak attitude. If he doesn't toughen up mentally and physically he wont make because his ability isn't that good that you'd ignore his obvious flaws.

As for saying there was a reason he was pick 4 and Cripps 24....That means nothing really, it's looking like Melbourne just simply stuffed a top ten pick (of which there have been many).