The Whipping Boys

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

I thought a thread to highlight the games of these to guys was in order. They cop a fair bit on these boards, and sometimes deservedly so, but tonight i thought they were both outstanding.

Bennell attacked the ball well, and used his run and dash from the backline to set up many counter attacks.

Morton showed much more pace than i thought he had tonight, and really showed what great footy smarts he has with deft little taps and knock-ons to put the ball out out to his or the teams advantage.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

I thought a thread to highlight the games of these to guys was in order. They cop a fair bit on these boards, and sometimes deservedly so, but tonight i thought they were both outstanding.

Bennell attacked the ball well, and used his run and dash from the backline to set up many counter attacks.

Morton showed much more pace than i thought he had tonight, and really showed what great footy smarts he has with deft little taps and knock-ons to put the ball out out to his or the teams advantage.

Cale Morton was considered an elite midfielder 2 or 3 seasons ago - he needs to remain consistent and go hard eeevveerryyy week. Definitely has the footy smarts.

[Gorgoroth 13,184]

I was surprised at the pace Morton did show, not that often he takes players on.

Bennell I have always thought does a job, he seems to more worry about beating his opponent when up forward, but seemed more free when he was down back.

[Vagg 2,449]

I have to agree. Was particularly pleasing to see Cale return to the kind of form we saw a couple of years back. Here's hoping he has turned the corner, and puts in regular, consistent efforts from here on.

[Akum 2,660]

I thought a thread to highlight the games of these to guys was in order. They cop a fair bit on these boards, and sometimes deservedly so, but tonight i thought they were both outstanding.

Bennell attacked the ball well, and used his run and dash from the backline to set up many counter attacks.

Morton showed much more pace than i thought he had tonight, and really showed what great footy smarts he has with deft little taps and knock-ons to put the ball out out to his or the teams advantage.

Good thread JL. And both of them were so hard at it. Bennell especially went where angels fear to tread on some occasions, grabbing the hard ball in heavy traffic & using his pace to break free.

[Adzman 2,154]

Morton seemed to gain some confidence, and he used it to take the game on. Bennell was much cleaner than usual and was damaging due to his effectiveness of disposing the football cleanly.

I was pleased to see the reemergence of Morts, who was touted as being a 200 game player for this club. More performances like that will surely see him play 200+ games of league footy. His pace was also a surprise.

One game doesn't make a season, so hoping both boys can put in a good showing against the Magpies.

[titan_uranus 25,174]

Definitely Morton's best game in a while. Showed pace I didn't know he had, and for once he backed into packs and looked like he had a hunger for the contested ball.

I didn't think Bennell was as good as some people seem to think. Still appears/is too laconic for mine. Made some skill errors at crucial points. An improvement, sure, but it wasn't that good, I didn't think.

[Samsara 65]

I liked Morton's game. Most of the team played well, much like we did against Adelaide with no passengers really. Still, it was good to see Morton hit some form. But as others have pointed out, consistency is key.

[pitchfork 181]

Definitely Morton's best game in a while.

True. And that's what hurts, because he was not great. His numbers look better than he was: 1 tackle (did it stick?), 3 inside 50s, 9 kicks, 13 handballs, 7 marks. I think he's the one who does deserve a whipping - because he's all "ceiling". We know what he could be, he's just not showing us.

How many times last night did Cale handball to a stationary player or at least one in a worse position than himself. How many times, as he ran forward and a tackler came near, did he shovel a half-handball over his shoulder backwards in the general direction, but never straight to, another Melbourne player. How many times did he run a 5m circle around his direct opponent, who then got the ball.

So. Whipcha! Come on Cale. Get you head down and your elbows and knees dirty and turn yourself into the player you should be.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Everything Morton touched in the first quarter turned to rubbish but he improved a lot once he stopped trying his dinky little fluff kicks all the time. His lack of upper body strength is a massive liability, still a fringe player, needs to hit the gym hard if he is going to be part of the future of the MFC.

[sylvinator 96]

Everything Morton touched in the first quarter turned to rubbish but he improved a lot once he stopped trying his dinky little fluff kicks all the time. His lack of upper body strength is a massive liability, still a fringe player, needs to hit the gym hard if he is going to be part of the future of the MFC.

I thought he showed some excellent form last night- clearly still an elite runner with great pace. We know he can take a mark and took a few really nice ones last night.

If he brushes up on his decision-making and starts to go in a bit harder at the footy he will be more than a fringe player- he could be in the top 50 players in the AFL. He is so far away from that right now it's not funny- but some of his attributes are absolutely elite. He was drafted with huge upside potential (much like Watts) and it may still take another couple of years before it all comes together. Some people forget how young he still is

[Guest 36DD]

May have found the right position for Morton, running off half back, if the defensive side to his game holds true as it did last night then this could be his "niche". He's played everywhere it may be just a matter of finding a position that suits.

As for Bennell, never been critical of him, really rate his ability to break away from the contest and he's better as a small forward stopper.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,102]

Loved Morton's run through the middle. The only problem is that nobody led at him so he was forced to try for goal. But to take on all comers and burn them off was impressive.

[Real Demon 232]

Both were great, and it's amazing how the whole mindset of the players was switched on. At on point I remember Morton needing to show real courage going back with the flight, and he didn't flinch!

I rate Bennell.......pace and skill are fantastic, and he was very important last night, especially with Grimes and Davey out.

Well done to both of them!

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

At on point I remember Morton needing to show real courage going back with the flight, and he didn't flinch!

That was a defining moment, he didn't squib.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,288]

May have found the right position for Morton, running off half back, if the defensive side to his game holds true as it did last night then this could be his "niche". He's played everywhere it may be just a matter of finding a position that suits.

How amusing that the position that had him rated so highly after the U18 championships is where he played his best football last night.

[rpfc 28,906]

Bennell's workrate isn't great and Morton's physicality has been non-existent.

Both worked on their deficiencies and proved they are improving in those areas.

Form I don't care about - they both have the skill and talent to be where they are - they need to improve in key areas and last night they did.

Really pleasing.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Joel Macdonald gets whipped a lot, underrated immensely by peanut supporters. He is tough, courageous and doesn't take a backward step. Very good game last night.

[old dee 24,001]

After what I think has been a very ordinary start to 2011 Bennell earned his spot last night.

Did enough last night to give me hope.

Now for the Pies Jamie go get them.

[old dee 24,001]

Joel Macdonald gets whipped a lot, underrated immensely by peanut supporters. He is tough, courageous and doesn't take a backward step. Very good game last night.

Agree CB he put in a good one last night

[Demon Dynasty 17,130]

May have found the right position for Morton, running off half back, if the defensive side to his game holds true as it did last night then this could be his "niche". He's played everywhere it may be just a matter of finding a position that suits.

As for Bennell, never been critical of him, really rate his ability to break away from the contest and he's better as a small forward stopper.

Nice 36

Also believe Morton's better performances have been at or around this posi. Needs to build some physicality body wise and also look longer as a first instinct. Showed something (again) last nite though. Alot more work from him required in order to go from classy/good (aka much of last night) on occasions, to consistantly performing at an elite level week to week.

Super effort last night though. Credit where credit's due.

[Demon Stalwart 255]

I thought a thread to highlight the games of these to guys was in order. They cop a fair bit on these boards, and sometimes deservedly so, but tonight i thought they were both outstanding.

Bennell attacked the ball well, and used his run and dash from the backline to set up many counter attacks.

Morton showed much more pace than i thought he had tonight, and really showed what great footy smarts he has with deft little taps and knock-ons to put the ball out out to his or the teams advantage.

Both Bennell and Moreton played good games last night ,it was encouraging

Lets hope they continue to Improve from here.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I thought a thread to highlight the games of these to guys was in order. They cop a fair bit on these boards, and sometimes deservedly so, but tonight i thought they were both outstanding.

Bennell attacked the ball well, and used his run and dash from the backline to set up many counter attacks.

Morton showed much more pace than i thought he had tonight, and really showed what great footy smarts he has with deft little taps and knock-ons to put the ball out out to his or the teams advantage.

*Yes they have deserved it, BIG time.

Last Night they showed what they can do,,, when they have to. Their capable of + ...

Wheres he been,,, Urgency!

[titan_uranus 25,174]

Can you just remind me how he did his PCL last year??

One swallow does not make a summer.

[Striker475 696]

I'm going to fess up, Bennell has sold me the last two weeks, honestly thought he was one of our best last week. I know he didn't touch the pill that much, but neither did his direct opponent in Gartlett, which was very handy. Same last night with his work around the defensive contest, he shuts out a forward in every contest consistently.

Morton, best game I've seen him play tbf (although I haven't seen much of him pre-2010) but still improvement to be had