Great to see Dan Nicholson getting a game and this reminds me that Bailey continues with his team management and development plan that has been in place since his arrival. He is brave, focused and persistent if possibly lacking in other areas.

However I am really disappointed to see Bennell and Morton return so quickly. Surely they have not had time to work through their 2nd/3rd effort deficiencies and lack of physical presence in the weeks out of the starting 22. And Howe is surely ripe for a call up. Bennell could have been included becasue of his genuine pace - but Morton? Genuinely disappointed.

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Agree. With the bye last week, definitely didn't have enough time in the VFL.

if these players are going to get more physical then it'll be a mental change. I actually dont think it matters if they play 1 game or 5 for casey, they're either going to make the change or theyre not. Hopefully they have.

Disagree, 2 first gamers is not a good idea. Let's not take the limelight away from young Nicholson

Great to see Dan Nicholson getting a game and this reminds me that Bailey continues with his team management and development plan that has been in place since his arrival. He is brave, focused and persistent if possibly lacking in other areas.

However I am really disappointed to see Bennell and Morton return so quickly. Surely they have not had time to work through their 2nd/3rd effort deficiencies and lack of physical presence in the weeks out of the starting 22. And Howe is surely ripe for a call up. Bennell could have been included becasue of his genuine pace - but Morton? Genuinely disappointed.

I agree with your tone.

The only thing I can think is, they're concerned, if they go too young/inexperienced, and we got pantsed, the momentum/confidence may be Too battered for the big games against the Bombers and the Pies following.

I'm not keen on Morton or Bennell coming in, but did wonder if Bennell would get the call to replace davey, (midfield). So I guess Nicholson may help with Barts loss.

Carlton have small, fast forwards in Betts and Gartlett. We need the pace of Bennell and the engine of Morton. I agree they needed more time at casey but with the mounting injury toll they were required this week. let's hope they stand up.

no choice. look at the injury list then look at the options. either go with 3 first-gamers and a second-gamer or bring in a couple of players with a few games under their belt.

I think it is the perfect week to bring those two in, because they will know that there are two automatic inclusions next week in Scully and Trengove, so if they don't bring it tomorrow night, they will find it very hard to get back in the team for an extended time.

no choice. look at the injury list then look at the options. either go with 3 first-gamers and a second-gamer or bring in a couple of players with a few games under their belt.

Agreed, there isn't really anyone else who could actively come in. No point in blooding players that aren't ready for the AFL. Bennell is a good inclusion for the Carlton game I think, and hopefully Morton will be better for the spell but we'll have to wait and see about that. Being dropped and then brought back in is just as much a mental tactic as physically playing at Casey.

Let's hope they respond in the best possible fashion.

Agreed, there isn't really anyone else who could actively come in. No point in blooding players that aren't ready for the AFL. Bennell is a good inclusion for the Carlton game I think, and hopefully Morton will be better for the spell but we'll have to wait and see about that. Being dropped and then brought back in is just as much a mental tactic as physically playing at Casey.

Let's hope they respond in the best possible fashion.

Mortons game is built around run. Expecting him to be physical is delusional. He has been so poorly managed this year. Following a long injury spell he should have been seen for what he is and pushed to run not bash. His range of skills will lift him to be an A grade player far before a number of our other young players. A 6ft 5in bean pole will take longer to fully adjust to smaller players with more bulk. I am totally at odds with the numerous opinions on this forum that think tackle is the only skill we need.

What's the opposite of "genuine disappointment" - false disappointment?

Anyway, take a squizz at the Casey thread to see why they're in. All that is left at Casey is players returning from injuries, Strauss, and bunch of zero gamers. Every match of experience in the side is critical given who we're going in with experience wise.

We're at the bottom of the barrel, folks.

What's the opposite of "genuine disappointment" - false disappointment?

Anyway, take a squizz at the Casey thread to see why they're in. All that is left at Casey is players returning from injuries, Strauss, and bunch of zero gamers. Every match of experience in the side is critical given who we're going in with experience wise.

We're at the bottom of the barrel, folks.

This has to be looked at poitively....We should have a very good idea of where this club really is at after the next 3 weeks..If we can build strength into this side right now, it will set a standard for the better times.

That is how i would be addressing it to the players, they can still win..if they push themselves beyond.

Carlscum are improving, but they still have weak spots.

This has to be looked at poitively....We should have a very good idea of where this club really is at after the next 3 weeks..If we can build strength into this side right now, it will set a standard for the better times.

That is how i would be addressing it to the players, they can still win..if they push themselves beyond.

Carlscum are improving, but they still have weak spots.

like ruck tomorrow night. and their backline

Mortons game is built around run. Expecting him to be physical is delusional. He has been so poorly managed this year. Following a long injury spell he should have been seen for what he is and pushed to run not bash. His range of skills will lift him to be an A grade player far before a number of our other young players. A 6ft 5in bean pole will take longer to fully adjust to smaller players with more bulk. I am totally at odds with the numerous opinions on this forum that think tackle is the only skill we need.

thats rubbish, his 'lack of bash' is what is holding him back from being a dangerous player and it needs to be instilled in him pronto

very interested to see what happens tomorrow when its 'his turn'

Mortons game is built around run. Expecting him to be physical is delusional. He has been so poorly managed this year. Following a long injury spell he should have been seen for what he is and pushed to run not bash. His range of skills will lift him to be an A grade player far before a number of our other young players. A 6ft 5in bean pole will take longer to fully adjust to smaller players with more bulk. I am totally at odds with the numerous opinions on this forum that think tackle is the only skill we need.

I agree Harrisonrules. You have made the most astute observation on Morton that I have read in recent times. We are fortunate to have a player of his ability to promote in these dark days. He will take this chance and play many more for the Dees.

Mortons game is built around run. Expecting him to be physical is delusional. He has been so poorly managed this year. Following a long injury spell he should have been seen for what he is and pushed to run not bash. His range of skills will lift him to be an A grade player far before a number of our other young players. A 6ft 5in bean pole will take longer to fully adjust to smaller players with more bulk. I am totally at odds with the numerous opinions on this forum that think tackle is the only skill we need.

Totally & absolutely agree. Morton was drafted because of his assets, which include an enormous tank and capacity to run, an uncanny ability to find space, good awareness and reasonably good decision-making, and good ball use over medium to long (say, 30m +) distances. Sure, he lacks physicality, but it's still a really good package. I look forward to him being allowed to use those assets to the team's advantage.

Carlton have small, fast forwards in Betts and Gartlett. We need the pace of Bennell and the engine of Morton. I agree they needed more time at casey but with the mounting injury toll they were required this week. let's hope they stand up.

Sorry Roost It but why is Bennell in? He has been poor most of this season and pityful against North.

What good is it to have plenty of speed if you do not get the ball.

Carlton will frighten him out of it in the first quarter.

Mortons game is built around run. Expecting him to be physical is delusional. He has been so poorly managed this year. Following a long injury spell he should have been seen for what he is and pushed to run not bash. His range of skills will lift him to be an A grade player far before a number of our other young players. A 6ft 5in bean pole will take longer to fully adjust to smaller players with more bulk. I am totally at odds with the numerous opinions on this forum that think tackle is the only skill we need.

Did I ever say that I was expecting him to be 'physical'? No.

Morton is a top 5 draft pick in his fourth year. I would've been very concerned for his future if he didn't get selected this week given all our injuries!

I agree with the sentiment from many on here that they may have been brought back too early. But have been thinking that it could be an interesting move as they may both get big defensive jobs. Bennell would be a leading candidate to take Betts or Garlett especially with Bartram out. And Morton may be the perfect guy to tag Judd. He has gone with Goodes before and was really only beaten when isolated in the defensive 50 in one-on-one marking contests. He won't have that issue with Judd. Alternatively, he could get a defensive role on Gibbs.

Thoughts?

Morton is a top 5 draft pick in his fourth year.

He certainly hasn't been playing like one..

He needs to step up in this game.

I agree with the sentiment from many on here that they may have been brought back too early. But have been thinking that it could be an interesting move as they may both get big defensive jobs. Bennell would be a leading candidate to take Betts or Garlett especially with Bartram out. And Morton may be the perfect guy to tag Judd. He has gone with Goodes before and was really only beaten when isolated in the defensive 50 in one-on-one marking contests. He won't have that issue with Judd. Alternatively, he could get a defensive role on Gibbs.

Thoughts?

Completely agree re Morton tagging Judd. I can't see anyone else doing it.

Bennell could play defensive forward on Yarran to try to limit his effectiveness. But with Tapscott, Grimes, Davey, Bail and Bartram all out injured, we really are short of running defenders (and Garland could probably be included in this group, too). So Bennell to the backline is not the worst idea going around. It's where he started, after all.

Mortons game is built around run. Expecting him to be physical is delusional. He has been so poorly managed this year. Following a long injury spell he should have been seen for what he is and pushed to run not bash. His range of skills will lift him to be an A grade player far before a number of our other young players. A 6ft 5in bean pole will take longer to fully adjust to smaller players with more bulk. I am totally at odds with the numerous opinions on this forum that think tackle is the only skill we need.

Please point me in the direction of these ridiculous opinions.

If you can't physically pressure the opposition, win a contested ball or tackle then you have no place in the game. Not that I am suggesting that Morton can't or doesn't do these things.

And expecting an AFL player to be physical is delusional?