Toast Morabito tracking thread

[pokerspiv]

Would consider it if there are lingering issues over Clancee or Ibbotson certainly. Has to be also a thought in the coaches mind for a temporary 2nd forward without Gumby or Bradley available. Still I would think HFF at present is his ideal position back at AFL level but in defence at WAFL will help him settle in quicker as it is an easier position to play. Stoked for the man to have him playing again.

I could easily see him playing that rebounding defender role too. Morabito reminds me a lot of Koutafides. He could play anywhere he wants really.

 

[theGav56]

Would consider it if there are lingering issues over Clancee or Ibbotson certainly. Has to be also a thought in the coaches mind for a temporary 2nd forward without Gumby or Bradley available. Still I would think HFF at present is his ideal position back at AFL level but in defence at WAFL will help him settle in quicker as it is an easier position to play. Stoked for the man to have him playing again.

Bradley should be available before Morabitto is ready for AFL action I think. Just wait and see how it goes anyway.

 

[sij1981]

you mean in name or size?

bboth

 

[Zacy boy]

First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong thread. Feel free mods to move it if need be. Now that Mora is back playing in the WAFL, and impressing may I add, how long does everyone think before he is finaly unleashed back on the AFL

 

[Seppo]

First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong thread. Feel free mods to move it if need be. Now that Mora is back playing in the WAFL, and impressing may I add, how long does everyone think before he is finaly unleashed back on the AFL

I think Mora needs to have 1 or two more runs in WAFL. He may have ticked his last "fitness" box, the next will be form to warrant a spot.

If I was to make a guess at his return right now it would be as a sub against Essendon in round 4 or maybe ANZAC day against Norf for some bruise free footy.

 

[Zacy boy]

Hope it's as early as that. Itching to see him back on the field!

 

[go_the_dockers]

I think Mora needs to have 1 or two more runs in WAFL. He may have ticked his last "fitness" box, the next will be form to warrant a spot.

If I was to make a guess at his return right now it would be as a sub against Essendon in round 4 or maybe ANZAC day against Norf for some bruise free footy.

Hopefully he plays round 5 vs the swans, it would be great to see his comeback game.

How is the SCG turf?

 

[slicedndiced]

I think Mora needs to have 1 or two more runs in WAFL. He may have ticked his last "fitness" box, the next will be form to warrant a spot.

If I was to make a guess at his return right now it would be as a sub against Essendon in round 4 or maybe ANZAC day against Norf for some bruise free footy.

If he continues to improve, as he did in the game against EP, I would agree with this.

He started off shakily, which was understandable, getting caught holding the ball and fumbling on occasion, but improved significantly with some albeit cheap possessions in the backline and grew in confidence. He was also thrown around positionally due to Peels injuries, which doesn't help a player settle.

What wasn't apparent, and needs to be, is his explosive pace and tackle breaking ability, which will obviousy, (hopefully?), return with more game time and a more settled role in the Peel side.

 

[13then7]

I think Mora needs to have 1 or two more runs in WAFL. He may have ticked his last "fitness" box, the next will be form to warrant a spot.

If I was to make a guess at his return right now it would be as a sub against Essendon in round 4 or maybe ANZAC day against Norf for some bruise free footy.

Interesting! I've always had in the back of my mind that he would require a prolonged period in the WAFL. I have no real reason other than a gut feeling based on the way his injury has been nursed. I would be wrapped if he was back this early. I realise others don't agree and don't consider this early. Round 4? Yes please! It's just always seemed so far away that as it gets closer, it feels unreal.

I've been wrong before, there's always a second time I suppose.

 

[Nickos66]

Interesting! I've always had in the back of my mind that he would require a prolonged period in the WAFL. I have no real reason other than a gut feeling based on the way his injury has been nursed. I would be wrapped if he was back this early. I realise others don't agree and don't consider this early. Round 4? Yes please! It's just always seemed so far away that as it gets closer, it feels unreal.

I've been wrong before, there's always a second time I suppose.

This was along the lines of what I was thinking, 1-2 games sounds a bit rich, given the current strength of the side and the match conditioning he'd need. I assumed at least 6 weeks in the WAFL.

 

[13then7]

This was along the lines of what I was thinking, 1-2 games sounds a bit rich, given the current strength of the side and the match conditioning he'd need. I assumed at least 6 weeks in the WAFL.

The sub is designed for guys like Mora I suppose.

 

[serial_thrilla]

But who would he replace? It will be hard to dislodge Sutcliffe now, and Suban has done nothing wrong. Ibbotson will also be back in a week or two.
I'd imagine that he'd be battling with Sheridan, de Boer, Neale, Clancee and Sylvia for the 22nd spot in our side, and to do that will require consistent top-level play in the WAFL. I'm talking several BOGs in a row. It's not a matter of fitness now: he could easily play as a sub this weekened. Yes, he's getting the ball for Peel, but he did lack a lot of polish. I'd guess post-bye as a realistic chance for him to earn a spot in the best 22 (assuming we don't get a spate of injuries before then).

FB: Spurr - Dawson - Duffield
HB: Ibbotson - McPharlin - Johnson
C: Hill - Crowley - D Pearce
HF: Suban - Clarke - Mayne
FF: Walters - Pavlich - Ballantyne
R: Sandilands - Mundy - Fyfe
I: Barlow - Sutcliffe - Mzungu
22nd player: Sheridan - de Boer - Neale - Sylvia - Clancee - Morabito

The problems with depth...

 

[Quokka]

I said in the wafl thread that although realistically he's probably a few more weeks away he's looking like he could be ready for a sub role as early as the bombers home game. He's definietly getting good confidence in the knee and although his kicking is still down on accuracy it's certainly as long as ever and he's still got that great ability to swerve through a pack of players.

But a last quarter against tiring opponents is one thing, could he handle a full game straight up if an injury gets him on the field in the first quarter?

Probably too risky when other players like Suban, Neale maybe even Sutcliffe or CPearce could be fighting for the vest as players come back.



Edit: yeah what st said

 

[Seppo]

The way the coaches and other players are talking about Mora leads me to believe they see him back sooner than the BYE.

The question will be will he force his way into the 22 by form through the WAFL and knock someone decent out OR will injuries to others give him the opportunity.

HYPOTHETICAL:
Clancee doesn't recovery well
Ibbotson not fit enough,
Sutcliffe or Duffield goes down with injury...

ENTER MORABITO THE THE HALF BACK LINE!!!

 

[E Shed]

its possible they will rotate the sub at some point. Give Neale or Sherro a full game in the WAFL and let Mora come off the bench for one quarter on the half forward line. I hope sooner rather than later. Just get him back on the big stage to give him some hope and reward for all the effort he's put in over the last few years. I know we can't afford to carry players but he's looking pretty fit.

 

[The Black Sheep]

Interesting! I've always had in the back of my mind that he would require a prolonged period in the WAFL. I have no real reason other than a gut feeling based on the way his injury has been nursed. I would be wrapped if he was back this early. I realise others don't agree and don't consider this early. Round 4? Yes please! It's just always seemed so far away that as it gets closer, it feels unreal.

I've been wrong before, there's always a second time I suppose.

Yeah, I'm of the same mind. I'm no sports scientist, but I'd imagine the pace and the strength of a tackling player in the AFL is a lot higher and thus more stressful on the knee. We're all itching to see him back in purple, but given his history I'd rather see the club err on the side of caution and leave him in the WAFL for too long rather than bring him back early. As somebody who has no more clue than the next casual observer, I'd say leave him at Peel until at least mid season.

 

[pokerspiv]

He has been in the gym and running for nearly a year. I don't think playing WAFL would do anything to improve on that. Obviously he's out of practice and will need to remember a few of the finer points of playing football but if he's not physically ready then he never will be.

 

[UFO Tatsu]

Yeah, I'm of the same mind. I'm no sports scientist, but I'd imagine the pace and the strength of a tackling player in the AFL is a lot higher and thus more stressful on the knee. We're all itching to see him back in purple, but given his history I'd rather see the club err on the side of caution and leave him in the WAFL for too long rather than bring him back early. As somebody who has no more clue than the next casual observer, I'd say leave him at Peel until at least mid season.

while i understand the sentiments, i feel that if he is fit enough and skillful enough then he should be playing. i do not believe the chance of re-injury is any lower in the wafl then it is in the afl.

 

[Dark Wee]

He has been in the gym and running for nearly a year. I don't think playing WAFL would do anything to improve on that. Obviously he's out of practice and will need to remember a few of the finer points of playing football but if he's not physically ready then he never will be.

He's got to get 'touch'.
And RTB says players pick themselves. So he needs to demonstrate what he's capable of, then he's in. I'd think this will only take another week or two.

 

[pokerspiv]

He's got to get 'touch'.

That's what I meant.

 

[pokerspiv]

while i understand the sentiments, i feel that if he is fit enough and skillful enough then he should be playing. i do not believe the chance of re-injury is any lower in the wafl then it is in the afl.

Exactly, just look at last week's peel game. If anything he is more likely to get injured in the WAFL because the quality of the grounds is lower.

 

[Bluto]

Play him the second he is ready. The guy has been out for years....years. If he can't handle it in two weeks he can't handle it ever.

 

[Sailor]

Often you find when a player has been out for a significant amount of time they suffer soft tissue injuries. Ideally he builds his stamina and durability in the WAFL until he is match fit for the step up in intensity. You can do as much training as you like but nothing can replicate match conditions.

 

[13then7]

Play him the second he is ready. The guy has been out for years....years. If he can't handle it in two weeks he can't handle it ever.

Everybody agrees play him when he's ready. They thought he was ready the last two times.

 

[Wigarus]

Morabito came off the ground with cramp in his quad in the third quarter last week and Sheridan (who was sitting a few rows behind me) said to Gumby "Shit I think he's done his knee again". I thought the exact same thing when I saw it.

He still looks to me like he is playing far too cautiously to be playing AFL in two weeks. I'm sure he will still be thinking that last time he got through 6 or 7 games before it tore again.