News Morton chased by Rival Clubs

[CowboyFromHell]

Was the article written by a 5 year old?

As for Morton.... I don't know just yet. I'd stick with him but if we have to squeeze someone out to fit others in then Morton might be the one to miss out. I still think he can play an important role for the club but his time is clearly running out.

 

[Logger]

Morton isn't a great journalist, but that last line was telling: he knows he needs to harden up and do the team thing, let's give him a chance and if he can't show any change by the end of the season, by all means grab a first-rounder.
(I might be going soft on him because he's my vice captain in my Footy Fanatic FX career and an absolute star, along with... Nathan Jones!)

 

[davey_magik]

That article certainly has some crazy timing.

I think he is in the same boat as Watts, enormously gifted but seems to need an attitude change (Though to be fair to Watts his last few weeks have been pretty decent and he looks like he wants it more).

A thing I also think that really hurts him is he has struggled to put on weight. Granted, some players that were brilliant never put on weight and never needed to, but when you're 190cm+ and trying to play as an onballer/wingman, you need to be able to at least hold your ground otherwise you are relegated to an outside role (Yes he will probably be an outside player regardless of putting on weight, but at least if he got stronger he could win his own ball if he needed to).

If he never puts on weight he'll get tagged out of games by players who can run with him because he can't outmuscle them, and he'll only have good games when the team is doing well.

He needs both a better attitude (Which I hope has already happened) and to put on more weight if he is to be a quality AFL player. Can't have one without the other either.

I'll back him in as it seems he has changed his attitude, but there is certainly a lot of pressure on him this year.

 

[Djcjdees]

And while were at it why not offer Hawthorn maric and 3rd rounder for Franklin...there is a reason you like the sound of that trade

yeah while we're at that, just straight swap morton for Zac Smith

 

[demonfan9]

As for Morton.... I don't know just yet. I'd stick with him but if we have to squeeze someone out to fit others in then Morton might be the one to miss out. I still think he can play an important role for the club but his time is clearly running out.

Sums up my thoughts too. I have been disappointed in his progress, but I still think he deserves a bit more opportunity to prove himself (has suffered severe injuries during the last two pre-seasons). Although by no means do I think he'll ever become a superstar like others have predicted.

 

[Crimson Azure]

As for Morton.... I don't know just yet. I'd stick with him but if we have to squeeze someone out to fit others in then Morton might be the one to miss out. I still think he can play an important role for the club but his time is clearly running out.

I agree but I want to know where performances like this have gone?:

Rd 7 2009 vs. West Coast Eagles

Rating: 9/10
Kicks: 28
Handballs: 6
Marks: 16 (1 contested)
Tackles: 0
Free Kicks: 1 for 0 against
Efficiency: 76%
Contested possessions: 4
Uncontested Possessions: 27
Clearances: 0
Clangers: 0
Assists: 1
TOG: 90%
Inside 50’s: 4

Rd 8 2009 vs. Western Bulldogs

Rating: 9/10
Kicks: 23
Handballs: 14
Marks: 7 (0 contested)
Tackles: 3
Free Kicks: 1 for 1 against
Efficiency: 78%
Contested possessions: 6
Uncontested Possessions: 30
Clearances: 1
Clangers: 4
Assists: 1
TOG: 90%
Inside 50’s: 4

 

[Blackas87]

Cale was drafted at number 4 for a reason, he has got some talent. But why isn't he playing like a number 4 draft pick??

What about Matthew Bate, drafted at 13, came 3rd in Melbourne's best and fairest 2007, now at age 24, the prime age for players he can't get a fame for Melbourne??

Michael Newton was supposed to be the next David Neitz after 2007, what's happened to him since then??

Simon Buckley couldn't get a game for us in 2009 when we won the wooden spoon, yet in 2011 he is getting games at collingwood the year after they won the flag and trying to do the same thing this year, what's with that??

Hhm?? A similar trend occurring, the problem is not the players? It's the coach. He might be a good teacher of the game, he might have a good game plan, but he isn't a good leader, he can't get the best out of the players, maybe this is why Green, Davey, Dunn and the whole team have looked flat this year. Do not trade Cale Mortan because he will be a star, he just needs a new coach, as does the whole team

 

[demonfan9]

To be fair, Newton was always going to be speculative given he was drafted in the 40's, and Buckley your typical outside runner who plays well with a good support cast around him, but throw him in a poor side and he isn't capable of having an impact.

 

[Blackas87]

Davey, Jamar, James McDonald, Russell Robertson were all rookie drafted, newton was drafted higher, with our list and expectation to be a great side, buckley might have been a handy player to keep then

 

[Den11]

We also got rid of Stevie Armstrong who went on to play in the West Coast premiership yet was that a mistake?

Collingwood fans thought Jack Anthony was the answer to their prayers in front of goals, but didn't cut it does this mean Malthouse is a crap coach?

 

[Topkent]

I agree but I want to know where performances like this have gone?:

CAN I POINT OUT SOMETHING

Rd 7 2009 vs. West Coast Eagles

Rating: 9/10
Kicks: 28
Handballs: 6
Marks: 16 (1 contested)
Tackles: 0
Free Kicks: 1 for 0 against
Efficiency: 76%
Contested possessions: 4
Uncontested Possessions: 27
Clearances: 0
Clangers: 0
Assists: 1
TOG: 90%
Inside 50’s: 4

Rd 8 2009 vs. Western Bulldogs

Rating: 9/10
Kicks: 23
Handballs: 14
Marks: 7 (0 contested)
Tackles: 3
Free Kicks: 1 for 1 against
Efficiency: 78%
Contested possessions: 6
Uncontested Possessions: 30
Clearances: 1
Clangers: 4
Assists: 1
TOG: 90%
Inside 50’s: 4

Look at all the outside ball and cheap marks, yet he tries to do that now and everyone smashes him... makes no sense

 

[CowboyFromHell]

To me he looks like a player WAY down on confidence. The way he goes about his football tells me he is a confidence player and when he's up and about he is running in to space and racking up important possessions across half back and through the middle. He can be a very damaging player but... how does he get that confidence back? I will never expect him to be hard at it, all I ask is that when it's his time go, he goes!

But good get CA, those games seem a distant memory!

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Cale was drafted at number 4 for a reason, he has got some talent. But why isn't he playing like a number 4 draft pick??

What about Matthew Bate, drafted at 13, came 3rd in Melbourne's best and fairest 2007, now at age 24, the prime age for players he can't get a fame for Melbourne??

Michael Newton was supposed to be the next David Neitz after 2007, what's happened to him since then??

Simon Buckley couldn't get a game for us in 2009 when we won the wooden spoon, yet in 2011 he is getting games at collingwood the year after they won the flag and trying to do the same thing this year, what's with that??

Hhm?? A similar trend occurring, the problem is not the players? It's the coach. He might be a good teacher of the game, he might have a good game plan, but he isn't a good leader, he can't get the best out of the players, maybe this is why Green, Davey, Dunn and the whole team have looked flat this year. Do not trade Cale Mortan because he will be a star, he just needs a new coach, as does the whole team

Cale has some playing problems he needs to adapt to, he progressed under Bailey in 08 and 09 playing some good footy, his injuries in the last couple of years have hindered him... he will get back to some good form later this year IMO

Bate always has been a very one-dimensional player... doesn't provide great forward pressure, different coaches ask from different things from players... undoubtedly Daniher really liked what Bate could offer to his game plan, unfortunately for Bate that doesn't seem the case with Bailey

Newton never did anything of real note in his career apart from taking mark of the year

Buckley has taken 2 or 3 years to get a game at Collingwood, and then only through injuries... he was always going to look good in a contending side anyway

players will have up and down years, especially average players...

Bails got improvement out of a lot of players last year Jamar, Green, Sylvia, Moloney, Frawley Dunn to name a couple

He has gotten even more improvement in a new batch of players this year ie. Watts, Jurrah, Martin, Tapscott, Moloney again, Maric (has undoubtedly improved), Bail, Garland!!!!!!

It's a fact of footy that some players will develop well and others who may have good talent levels won't. Simple.

 

[Blackas87]

Take Essendon for example, no one rated there list, no one gave them a chance this year, the players were down and out last year, but James Hird has inspired them, he gave those players belief that they can be a good footy side changeling for a premiership, and look at the results

Now look at us, everyone rates our list, some people were saying top 4, but Dean Bailey doesn't tell our players that we can win a premiership, he keeps saying we have to be competitive, being competitive isn't winning games, young footballers want to go out there and belt the other side, not to try and be competitive, players like Mortan have lost there motivation listening to this crap, how is what dean Bailey says going to make any footballer excited and pumped up to play, he is draining our players, they have lost faith

 

[Demon 16]

There are 2 things I think about Morton at this point. First, we need to forget which draft pick he was and just consider the player we have. Secondly I think he is always going to be a very wirey frame with minimal muscle.

Once we've got over those 2 points, I think we just work on his aggression and tackling, and we may end up with a pretty handy player. Matthew Lappin was a match winner - and if Morton can develop that kind of heart, then he could be just as good.

 

[Rudeurrection]

David Hale got traded for pick 29 eek:), we could expect a pick in the early twenties for Morton, maybe even a little bit higher, please, where do i sign?

 

[goDees22]

Would still definitely be worth a top 20 pick cos he has shown glimpses. I talked to him at the B'n'F last year and asked him what was said after the last game and he said "the coaches ripped into me, but they're ****heads anyway" or something along those lines, dunno how serious he was, definitely used the words f-heads to describe them so I'd say he is a bit of a whipping boy and probably doesn't like it.

I want him to stay tho, cos as mentioned he could potentially become a poor mans Adam Goodes like utility (long way to go tho)

 

[Gazza_11]

Kid is going to be a star for us, would be shattered. Not sure about the double standards here though. I know he's a year or two older (one draft earlier), but no different to Watts really. Skinny lad, taking some time to fit into a position. Unlike Watts has been cruelled by injury. Larke medallist, and best first year for us in 2008. Will come good, he's played some pearlers of games.

 

[Deefence]

I can’t believe some of the posts here...its simple

He is not hard enough!

This is a very very very tough game, especially with mounting reliance on pressure and presses

He is an outside, soft, frail, weak and timid person who doesn’t want to put his body on the line and take a hit to get the football

He is totally inadequate under pressure

I have no idea why he chose to play AFL as a Jnr if he doesn’t like contact

All Morton can do is get cheap kicks on the boundary line in open space

Get a 1st round draft pick for him and ill be happy

 

[CaptainDavey]

I seem to remember when we first picked up him there was word going around about how shite his attitude is (perhaps it runs in the family given Mitch's inability to not be a total lemon).

I think we need to take a closer look at certain aspects about him. For one, he may be homesick. He's a Western Australian lad if I'm not mistaken? It wouldn't surprise me if he's feeling a little wayward in dreary Melbourne, particularly if the team is playing horribly. Motivation is sucked dry without confidence I'd say.

And let's not forget the kid is still a twig by the looks of things. He hasn't got the strength to impose himself on a game and I really believe he's been stuffed around without a consistent position to play in.

I honestly believe he's a confidence player. Sure that's not ideal when the team is down in the dumps and needs pure effort from the lads, but unfortunately not all players can turn it on when the tide is going against them. When Melbourne as a team begins to improve, so will Cale, and whatever deficiencies he has a player in terms of attitude and playing style will be done away with.

It would be nearly impossible to turn down the opportunity to play in a team that consists of a fit and firing Scully, Trengove, McKenzie, Grimes, Frawley, Garland, Jurrah and Watts. Development and in turn confidence is catching I say. He'll come good

 

[Jordie_tackles]

I seem to remember when we first picked up him there was word going around about how shite his attitude is (perhaps it runs in the family given Mitch's inability to not be a total lemon).

I think we need to take a closer look at certain aspects about him. For one, he may be homesick. He's a Western Australian lad if I'm not mistaken? It wouldn't surprise me if he's feeling a little wayward in dreary Melbourne, particularly if the team is playing horribly. Motivation is sucked dry without confidence I'd say.

And let's not forget the kid is still a twig by the looks of things. He hasn't got the strength to impose himself on a game and I really believe he's been stuffed around without a consistent position to play in.

I honestly believe he's a confidence player. Sure that's not ideal when the team is down in the dumps and needs pure effort from the lads, but unfortunately not all players can turn it on when the tide is going against them. When Melbourne as a team begins to improve, so will Cale, and whatever deficiencies he has a player in terms of attitude and playing style will be done away with.

It would be nearly impossible to turn down the opportunity to play in a team that consists of a fit and firing Scully, Trengove, McKenzie, Grimes, Frawley, Garland, Jurrah and Watts. Development and in turn confidence is catching I say. He'll come good

I have no inside word, but from what i hear from westcoast supperters on these boards i get the feeling that his family dont get along with them or something... WC people say things like not that he would ever play here type things....i dunno

The Mortons are seemingly i big enough WA footy family?

 

[Demon 86]

I have no inside word, but from what i hear from westcoast supperters on these boards i get the feeling that his family dont get along with them or something... WC people say things like not that he would ever play here type things....i dunno

The Mortons are seemingly i big enough WA footy family?

Not sure about that as such, but I know that he's not homesick. Loves Melbourne, has made plenty of mates and has a missus here (batting well above his average too!).

When he came to the club he was extremely immature, like many young draftees. I don't know if that's still the case, but combined with his terrible injury luck it might have a bit to do with his apparent lack of drive...

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

When we had Mitch on our list there was an issue towards the end of his last season where he and his father thought he should've been playing for the Eagles. We wanted to leave him in the WAFL until he did the team thing more often though.

The finals rolled around, we continued to leave him in the WAFL because he hadn't done what we wanted. We selected McNamara instead who only had a fraction of the talent. Morton got pissed off and we traded him for next to nothing.

Word is it was a bitter break up and the Mortons want nothing to do with us and vice versa.

 

[Tempy Tiger]

You are better off without the head cases anyway. Football is a team sport, players that are in it for themselves just create a terrible cancer within the club. Look at Fevola. I guess it can turn around though, look how much Dale Thomas has improved since he decided to worry about 1%'s and helping Collingwood win games rather than taking hangers.

As I have said previously, Cale needs to be put in a hessian bag with a possum, with only one to be allowed out. At the moment I'd say it would be a 50/50 contest depending on the condition of the possum...

 

[saj_21]

Firstly, i think the article is a major build up possibly leaked by his management to get Melbourne attention to a) get him in back in the seniors and b) more $$$. The article also mentioned he was "struggling for Casey" despite 28 possies and 4th best last start.

Secondly, i think the best example to compare him to is Bredon Goddard similar stature, high draft pick a utility who never played in one position. Goddards ealry years were meet with much criticism. It wasn't really until 2008 where his improvement began to rapid increase (was good in 06 before in injury in 07).

It wasn't until 2009 where Goddard was labelled elite and his 2009 GF effort with a broken nose and collarbone were his toughness was truly accepted.

Yes i am as frustrated as much as anyone with Morton's inability to progress, this year i feel could be a great learning curve for him and hopefully a point in time were he can look back and say this were he truly developed as a player. He is only 4 months past his 21st birthday, but we still need to allow time for this kid to develop, not all players can step straight onto the scene, dominate afl and continue on an upward trend.

I have faith in the kid, i just wish the coaches took this hardline approach with a few other players also.