Cale Morton - 25 touches, 9 marks and a goal (94 supercoach points)

Colin Garland - 24 touches, 4 marks and a goal (114 supercoach points)

Both really important players for us in the future. Morton (and maybe Garland up forward?) is going to be a real match-up headache for a lot of opposition coaches.

Garland punched away so many balls from the pie's forward line and was precise by foot.

Really happy for both these guys tonight. Garland showed why so many rate him as forward with that massive goal outside 50.

  On 14/06/2010 at 07:53, Harcourt said:

Cale Morton - 25 touches, 9 marks and a goal (94 supercoach points)

Colin Garland - 24 touches, 4 marks and a goal (114 supercoach points)

Both really important players for us in the future. Morton and is going to a real match-up headache for a lot of opposition coaches.

Garland punched away so many balls into the pie's forward line and was precise by foot.

Really happy for both these guys tonight. Garland showed why so many rate him as forward with that massive goal outside 50.

Yes, absolutely. Both coming back into it after longer term injuries.

Totally agree with both players. Garland's field kicking was the best of all players. Always found a target off half back while so many others struggled. I had a few doubts about him before the game (unimpressive all year) but he showed us that 2008 form today. Superb goal from 55.

Morton was excellent today. A real class act and had so much poise when he has the ball. He's a sure thing from outside 50 on the run. I'm going to make a call and say he'll end up being our best MFC player of the 2007-2009 draft era. Yes, better than Scully and Trengove as he's perfectly moulded for the modern game.

Cale Morton played his best game for the club today! There have been occassions where he has kicked more goals and had more posessions, but his attack on the footy and skills were the best they have ever been. I have been a bit of a critic of him, but he seems to be becomming a lot more comfortable at AFL level. He got the ball at crucial times during the game and ran hard to space when everyone else was flat on their feet. A lot to be excited about.

DD

Class always rises to the top.

Amazing to think that we had posts here recently calling for both Morton and Garland to be dropped

I couldn't agree more. Both of them were outstanding. We saw today what Morton is going to be like if he continues to play on the wing. I suspect a few opposition coaches took note of his game today. And Garland is beginning to get his game back together. He could well be dominating by the end of the year.

Garland was fri77ing amazing today.

Loved every touch Morton had today

  On 14/06/2010 at 08:03, demondomination said:

Cale Morton played his best game for the club today! There have been occassions where he has kicked more goals and had more posessions, but his attack on the footy and skills were the best they have ever been. I have been a bit of a critic of him, but he seems to be becomming a lot more comfortable at AFL level. He got the ball at crucial times during the game and ran hard to space when everyone else was flat on their feet. A lot to be excited about.

DD

Yep, I thought so to. I particularly liked his attempts to pack mark. Trying to improve his game & take on new elements he hasn't shown to this point.

Cale Morton = future Brendan Goddard

Maybe I was looking through a different pair of glasses on Morton in the first qtr or 2?? Don't get me wrong - I want to see him continue developing - but there were 2 or 3 times when handballed or kicked out of the backline or on the wing to a player under huge pressure and we turned it over. The guy will benefit by raising his eyes and seeing or even planning the play that happens after he has disposed of the ball. I thought he was our weakest link down back for most of the first half. After that though he came good - happy to see that for Cale's sake and ours.

  On 14/06/2010 at 08:46, bjDee said:

Maybe I was looking through a different pair of glasses on Morton in the first qtr or 2?? Don't get me wrong - I want to see him continue developing - but there were 2 or 3 times when handballed or kicked out of the backline or on the wing to a player under huge pressure and we turned it over. The guy will benefit by raising his eyes and seeing or even planning the play that happens after he has disposed of the ball. I thought he was our weakest link down back for most of the first half. After that though he came good - happy to see that for Cale's sake and ours.

Was uncomfortable and average down back early, but so were most of our team.

The number of times Rivers and others spoiled Morton when he was 3rd man up instead of staying down was stupid. Morton was good on the wing though, really got on top of Thomas in a good battle.

I was really happy to see Garland back in from. Such an important player and dangerous player.

  On 14/06/2010 at 08:46, bjDee said:

Maybe I was looking through a different pair of glasses on Morton in the first qtr or 2?? Don't get me wrong - I want to see him continue developing - but there were 2 or 3 times when handballed or kicked out of the backline or on the wing to a player under huge pressure and we turned it over. The guy will benefit by raising his eyes and seeing or even planning the play that happens after he has disposed of the ball. I thought he was our weakest link down back for most of the first half. After that though he came good - happy to see that for Cale's sake and ours.

He wasn't perfect today but just looking at him before the game - he's a tall, mobile (still skinny) and by all account has great fitness and aerobic capacity; a top class utility and exactly the type Bailey would be drooling over. He's pretty much all you don't want as an opposition coach. Adam Goodes eat ya heart out, he played on him last year in Canberra and hopefully he can be three quarters of the player Goodes was/(maybe could be again).

  On 14/06/2010 at 08:46, bjDee said:

Maybe I was looking through a different pair of glasses on Morton in the first qtr or 2?? Don't get me wrong - I want to see him continue developing - but there were 2 or 3 times when handballed or kicked out of the backline or on the wing to a player under huge pressure and we turned it over. The guy will benefit by raising his eyes and seeing or even planning the play that happens after he has disposed of the ball. I thought he was our weakest link down back for most of the first half. After that though he came good - happy to see that for Cale's sake and ours.

Thats what happens with kids, & others in BIG Games, in awe. But when settled & the fear lost, what then, in the second half? Beautifuulllll.

  On 14/06/2010 at 07:53, Harcourt said:

Cale Morton - 25 touches, 9 marks and a goal (94 supercoach points)

Colin Garland - 24 touches, 4 marks and a goal (114 supercoach points)

Both really important players for us in the future. Morton (and maybe Garland up forward?) is going to be a real match-up headache for a lot of opposition coaches.

Garland punched away so many balls from the pie's forward line and was precise by foot.

Really happy for both these guys tonight. Garland showed why so many rate him as forward with that massive goal outside 50.

Agree they were both very good but the best guy for me was Jamar, he beat the Pies hands down I am struggling to remember a ruck clash he lost and was great around the ground as well.

You will all fall on me but I thought Miller did a good job of helping Jamar out in the ruck today and with an ounce of luck he could have snagged another goal.

He played tough today and was going as hard at the end as at the start.

Yes both Cale and Colin are improving as the weeks go on. Well done boys hold your heads up high

Morton certainly provides good value as an outside player, but how many contested possessions does he win? Understandable considering his slight frame, however there are times when you have to go in hard like Moloney and Jones and take the hits to get the ball to a better position.

  On 14/06/2010 at 09:51, DirtyDees DDC said:

Morton certainly provides good value as an outside player, but how many contested possessions does he win? Understandable considering his slight frame, however there are times when you have to go in hard like Moloney and Jones and take the hits to get the ball to a better position.

Not every player needs to win contested possessions, but every player needs to go hard when required. Morton does not flinch. He stands his ground and goes hard when required, but what he does best is find SPACE.

He either smells really bad, or he has that remarkable ability to run his opponent into the ground and then run away from them to find space in traffic and provide a target. He is also incredibly smart, makes great decisions and is a very good user of the footy (if anyone comes and [censored] about his kicking I'm gonna have to them hurt them). He takes a mean contested mark, and his endurance is up there with the best.

He has exactly what it takes to become a truly sensational utility player, or possibly a CHF.

  On 14/06/2010 at 09:28, old dee said:

Agree they were both very good but the best guy for me was Jamar, he beat the Pies hands down I am struggling to remember a ruck clash he lost and was great around the ground as well.

You will all fall on me but I thought Miller did a good job of helping Jamar out in the ruck today and with an ounce of luck he could have snagged another goal.

He played tough today and was going as hard at the end as at the start.

Unfortunately they got two quick goals when Jamar went off at one stage and Miller took over in the ruck, that was more than the difference in the end. Not blaming Miller he isn't a ruckman.

Thought Morton was very good today he is an excellent mark and like Jack has very soft hands so the ball sticks and doesn't just bounce off, he will be very good for us. Graland was back to the form he showed before he was injured and the take and goal were a sign his confidence is back. Lots to look forward to.

  On 14/06/2010 at 09:51, DirtyDees DDC said:

Morton certainly provides good value as an outside player, but how many contested possessions does he win? Understandable considering his slight frame, however there are times when you have to go in hard like Moloney and Jones and take the hits to get the ball to a better position.

There are inside and outside players and a good team will have both. Morton is a finisher not a grunt.

  On 14/06/2010 at 09:56, Jaded said:

Not every player needs to win contested possessions, but every player needs to go hard when required. Morton does not flinch. He stands his ground and goes hard when required, but what he does best is find SPACE.

Jaded, I enjoy what you have to say a lot of the time but I can't believe you are saying this.

Morton does not enjoy one bit of rough stuff. There were a few instances today where he didn't go anywhere near hard enough.

  On 14/06/2010 at 09:56, Jaded said:

He either smells really bad, or he has that remarkable ability to run his opponent into the ground and then run away from them to find space in traffic and provide a target. He is also incredibly smart, makes great decisions and is a very good user of the footy (if anyone comes and [censored] about his kicking I'm gonna have to them hurt them). He takes a mean contested mark, and his endurance is up there with the best.

He has exactly what it takes to become a truly sensational utility player, or possibly a CHF.

I'm very much on the opposite side.

I thought he had a shocker today. Did some good things at times and his goal was nice but for the most part I thought he was nowhere near intense enough at going in for the ball, he panicked and turned it over a lot or put team mates under a lot of pressure. He was caught many times and had terrible awareness today. He was also far too loose on his opponent. (Brad Dick).

I can see that Cale has some thing's going for him but today was not a great game and he needs to improve many areas of his game.

Melbourne supporters please wake up.

  On 14/06/2010 at 10:07, stevethemanjordan said:

Melbourne supporters please wake up.

Stop hating, the world is a much nicer place when you don't see the negatives in everything. Also, if you thought Morton had a shocker today, you probably also hate cute puppies and bunnies, and hence I'm a bit worried that you enjoy reading my posts.

  On 14/06/2010 at 10:11, Jaded said:

Stop hating, the world is a much nicer place when you don't see the negatives in everything. Also, if you thought Morton had a shocker today, you probably also hate cute puppies and bunnies, and hence I'm a bit worried that you enjoy reading my posts.

I am not hating.

I enjoy watching the development of Cale but I can't believe my eyes after reading what some of you guys are saying about his game !!!

I'm hoping there are some who agree with me on this !

  On 14/06/2010 at 10:14, stevethemanjordan said:

I am not hating.

I enjoy watching the development of Cale but I can't believe my eyes after reading what some of you guys are saying about his game !!!

I'm hoping there are some who agree with me on this !

You really think he had a "shocker"? No offense mate but if you thought he had a shocker today you either didn't see the game, have no idea about footy or you're a....

  On 14/06/2010 at 10:07, stevethemanjordan said:

...

I'm having a lot of difficulty believing what I'm reading here.

Morton was excellent today.