Cale Morton

[btdemon 482]

Many people have commented on Morton's lack of appetite for the physical contest. He has shown improvement over the past two matches. What worries me is not his softness at the ball, but his approach to the ball, iffy disposal and slow reaction time. Did anyone else notice how he sometimes waited for the ball to bounce kindly to him or attempt to round the ball up like a sheepdog so he can break away quicker. As he took this circuitous route to the ball his opponents gobbled it up. He used to have very good hands but now tends to be juggling marks. He really is playing like a guy who has lost confidence, purpose and direction. These issues may resolve as he regains his confidence to perform at the faster tempo of today's game. However, I don't necessarily believe that he can solve the problems with his kicking technique. I watched intently on Sunday as he took both hands away from the ball rather than guiding it down to his foot. Basic stuff really, but i know from personal experience that it is really difficult to correct this problem (think Cam Bruce).

Many see the great potential of Cale Morton and tout him as being a future star. He has good size, speed, mobility and endurance. Unfortunately I can only focus on his flaws.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Many people have commented on Morton's lack of appetite for the physical contest. He has shown improvement over the past two matches. What worries me is not his softness at the ball, but his approach to the ball, iffy disposal and slow reaction time. Did anyone else notice how he sometimes waited for the ball to bounce kindly to him or attempt to round the ball up like a sheepdog so he can break away quicker. As he took this circuitous route to the ball his opponents gobbled it up. He used to have very good hands but now tends to be juggling marks. He really is playing like a guy who has lost confidence, purpose and direction. These issues may resolve as he regains his confidence to perform at the faster tempo of today's game. However, I don't necessarily believe that he can solve the problems with his kicking technique. I watched intently on Sunday as he took both hands away from the ball rather than guiding it down to his foot. Basic stuff really, but i know from personal experience that it is really difficult to correct this problem (think Cam Bruce).

Many see the great potential of Cale Morton and tout him as being a future star. He has good size, speed, mobility and endurance. Unfortunately I can only focus on his flaws.

I agree, his whole approach concerns me..

I agree with your thoughts about the time he likes to take to decide what to do about getting the ball, and also making his decisions. It seems relective of how we played when he first came to Melbourne. I wonder if those first years habitualised these traits into his game or if he was like this.

I think the game has changed a lot in the few short years he's been with us. And so has our approach to the game as well, fortunately.

I think this 2nd half year will tell a powerfull tale about Cale.

Edited June 23, 2011 by dee-luded

[RedsoxMan 144]

FYI , I was at a talk by Cameron Schwab and the Club still feels that Morton will be an elite player.

Edited June 23, 2011 by RedsoxMan

[jnrmac 19,890]

FYI , I was at a talk by Cameron Schwab and the Club still feels that Morton will be an elite player.

He would need to pull his finger out. At present he should be fined $7000 by the AFL for being a spectator on the ground. Watches it all go by jim,, doesn't run anywhere near hard enough. Bone lazy.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

Wasnt aware we needed a new Morton thread

[Buzzy 992]

Wasnt aware we needed a new Morton thread

Consider yourself advised. Also, I may as well pre-warn there will be some additional Morton threads appearing before the end of the season I suspect.

My issue with Morton, in particular from the weekend's game:

He's tall - and like many talls he isn't super quick over 15 mtrs, is slow to drop to boot and obviously has trouble with kicking technique (as mentioned).

Too compound this though, he isn't strong in aerial contests as you would want a tall to be.

Being that he's never going to be a KP player - he's a life midfielder right? So what is the benefit of his height as a midfielder? It's an attribute that just hampers him in honesty.

I too just can't see a place for him in the hectic contested footy that is now being played. We need to take a hard line with players like Morton, I'm sure he wouldn't be playing if we didn't have injuries.

[Guest bonjohn]

Many people have commented on Morton's lack of appetite for the physical contest. He has shown improvement over the past two matches. What worries me is not his softness at the ball, but his approach to the ball, iffy disposal and slow reaction time. Did anyone else notice how he sometimes waited for the ball to bounce kindly to him or attempt to round the ball up like a sheepdog so he can break away quicker. As he took this circuitous route to the ball his opponents gobbled it up. He used to have very good hands but now tends to be juggling marks. He really is playing like a guy who has lost confidence, purpose and direction. These issues may resolve as he regains his confidence to perform at the faster tempo of today's game. However, I don't necessarily believe that he can solve the problems with his kicking technique. I watched intently on Sunday as he took both hands away from the ball rather than guiding it down to his foot. Basic stuff really, but i know from personal experience that it is really difficult to correct this problem (think Cam Bruce).

Many see the great potential of Cale Morton and tout him as being a future star. He has good size, speed, mobility and endurance. Unfortunately I can only focus on his flaws.

i do not believe many tout Morton as a potential star,once upon a time perhaps,but he is constantly ridiculed by commentators and fans alike.

he is an outstanding NATURAL field kick,some player look like beautiful kicks but lack what he has,weight.he has that special kick that forwards love,penetration ,whilst soft enough in the air for a good forward to out position his opponent.

his hardness has been questioned,but why continuously? he lacks that natural courage just as others lack his kicking and decision making.he does make poor decisions though this is through a lack of confidence.

i would normally despise a player like Morton though he is trying against every instinct

he has to begin backing into packs etc

he knows what he is lacking and is working on it,teammates should be rushing to him every time he does something courageous,he knows when he has not competed and you can see his anger.there is no self denial.

players that irk me are for eg nathan jones,a player who does not know his limitations or deficiencies.also he is not as tough as people regard him.the whole football world sees jones as our gut.he should be traded as he is over valued.he does not learn.

Morton needs to be tougher no doubt,but he knows that and has taken steps.this is a guy who,when confident, makes great decisions.we should be supporting every contest he goes to,not the ones he doesnt.

[btdemon 482]

I agree that Jones sometimes over estimates his capabilities but would never question his courage or commitment. I also agree that Morton is trying hard to counteract his natural instinct to avoid heavy contact. So is Watts. I do admire this and know that it takes real courage to do so. I suspect Jones always attacked the ball from the time he first played footy and his first instinct is to get the ball. I disagree with the assessment of Morton's kicking. It will always be flawed. As I have posted before, he kicks well when he is out on his own and has time to balance, but under any pressure, physical or perceived, it falls apart.

Edited June 23, 2011 by btdemon

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,826]

Aside from some iffy kicks and one failed attempt to go since he was back in the side he has been good. I gave him our best player against Collingwood where he smashed Shaw, carried the ball and attempted to break up play something that was missing from most. Again last week he alternated quarters between Hill and Fyfe on the wings and they had no impact in those phases of the game. I had him just outside our top 6.

He has increased his contested possessions since back in the side which was the key area he was questioned on before being dropped. Is he a complete footballer yet. Absolutely not but he is improving. He has plenty of areas to still work on - particularly his need to push to the contest as hard as he pushes to space. However I struggle how people cant see how damaging a player he could be with some more meat on the bone and a hardening of the edges.

[Great Sage 53]

Great post BJ

Morton will a great outside wingman, but at best a competent inside midfielder. We need to play to his strengths not focus on his weaknesses. Trying to change Morton to a tough inside player will be as successful as trying to change Jordie Mckenzie to a fast outside player

Yes, I want us to be known as a tough, hard team but you still need different skill sets within the whole. He is more like Embley than Kerr

[bush demon 1,989]

yawn. another thread questioning a melbourne player's courage from the safety of the internet.

[JACKATTACK 17]

.... will be as successful as trying to change Jordie Mckenzie to a fast outside player

Can't agree with you there, Jordie McKenzie can do anything.

[DeeZee 7,296]

Very hard to find a player of Mortons size that can run all day and is good below is knees, his skills are 1st class too.

Can play anywhere and is hard to match up on.

[Captain Jack Jordan 32]

His development has been slow in all areas since we got him. Pace ,size , kicking , contested ball and tackling and chasing . However ,he is young enough and talented enough to persevere with . If he doesn't show some STRONG signs of improvement by next year ,he will be traded . I'd have Bate in ahead of him currently just for that red head effort that you get from bloodnuts who have been bullied all their life .

Edited June 23, 2011 by Captain Jack Jordan

[monoccular 17,305]

He's tall - and like many talls he isn't super quick over 15 mtrs, is slow to drop to boot and obviously has trouble with kicking technique (as mentioned).

Too compound this though, he isn't strong in aerial contests as you would want a tall to be.

Being that he's never going to be a KP player - he's a life midfielder right? So what is the benefit of his height as a midfielder? It's an attribute that just hampers him in honesty.

I too just can't see a place for him in the hectic contested footy that is now being played. We need to take a hard line with players like Morton, I'm sure he wouldn't be playing if we didn't have injuries.

I agree

He is not strong or big enough to be a tall

He is not quick or slick enough to be a small

He is not hard enough to be a mid

So, where, what, when, how, who?????????

[rpfc 28,034]

I agree

He is not strong or big enough to be a tall

He is not quick or slick enough to be a small

He is not hard enough to be a mid

So, where, what, when, how, who?????????

Unfair appraisal.

He has struggled this year, but found plenty of the footy in his first couple of years.

He can be an exceptional wingman, moving back and forward - a kick ahead of the play.

If he keeps working on things it will turn around.

Look at Watts, he hasn't had a breakout game (whatever the frack that means...) but he has showed steady improvement over the last two months when at the start of this season he had many getting stuck into him - even C&B, who has found a great appreciation for Jack, thought he played football like a woman earlier in the season and should be dropped.

I am betting it will turn for Cale (his form is gradually getting better), but we will see.

[Pates 9,623]

There are a number of major frustrations i have with him at the moment, one key frustration is that he seems to have a fantastic long kick on him that most of the time favours our players (think Stef Martins first goal v Freo) but then over 15-25m he's deplorable, seemingly chipping the ball giving the opposition time or even just outright missing the target.

I will say this, and he's driven me nuts for ages, but slowly the good/bad ratio is getting closer and he is starting to lay tackles and go in when it's his turn. Having said that i still see others with more intent for the footy, but it seems the FD really see something in him and they will try everything to get best out of him.

[sylvinator 96]

Many people have commented on Morton's lack of appetite for the physical contest. He has shown improvement over the past two matches. What worries me is not his softness at the ball, but his approach to the ball, iffy disposal and slow reaction time. Now tends to be juggling marks.

Way too many people focusing on the negatives. How about a look at some postives.

1. His marking is severely underrated in the quoted post above. He is a very clean and strong overhead mark, an area of his game that has improved out of sight. At 194cm his marking is an advantage over most other midfielders

2. His long kicking can be excellent, especially on the weekend he did several long kicks to forwards out into space that were very clearly giving the forward the advantage. Kicking to advantage is something many of our other players could work on.

3. His physical attributes, namely his combination of elite speed and endurance, mean he is able to get to more contests than most, and even at his lowest level of confidence, still regularly picks up 20+ possessions.

4. Since he was dropped, he is now taking his turn (eg going back with the flight when required). He needs to continue this. He will never be (and really should never be) a truely inside player like Jones or Moloney. He doesn't love physical contact... but every premiership team needs outside players as well and their role shouldn't be ridiculed.

5. He's built his body from a starting weight of around 80kg, to about 94kg now. At 194cm, if he can hit 100kg, he should be able to impose himself physically better than ever before. People say it's only about intent, but at the end of the day, a 100kg player is going to fair better in a physical contest than an 85kg player, so that goal of bulking up is almost their.

Yes he has things to work on. He needs to be even more physical at the contest. He needs to improve his short kicking. He needs to add an extra 7-8 kilos of muscle around the chest and arms.

But he could still yet be a fantastic player in years to come

[DeeSpencer 24,669]

Most logical people say - he needs confidence.

Then go to the game and boo him and shout abuse at him all game. I'm not sure how much of this players here, but last week some nut bag out of nowhere top of his voice yells "see you at Casey Morton". When clearly he had put his body on the line a few times and made a solid contribution.

We all defended Watts for so long, maybe its time we have a little patience with Morton. We've all noted what a weapon he can be and obviously missing a lot of footy over the last two years has slowed his development from talented junior to a guy who knows how to play within a team.

It's why I liked him at half back where his job is simpler - stand opponent, chase opponent, spoil ball, run to space, kick. But the club are taking the tougher option by putting him on the wing where he has to think about positioning and win much more contested ball.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Very hard to find a player of Mortons size that can run all day and is good below is knees, his skills are 1st class too.

Can play anywhere and is hard to match up on.

See, that's where I think the furphy is. This whole idea he has elite skills is one too. If he's tall, why doesn't he play tall? Or ever use that height even to bring the ball to ground? His height in this way is useless. His kicking is supposed to be amazing, and it CAN be over distances up and over 40 metres, but anything less and this supposedly elite kick misses it's mark HORRIBLY to the opponent's advantage way too often.

The only ace he has in the hole that I see him utilising at the moment is his elite endurance, which he's putting up against the big runners in the comp. Ideally I'd like to see him take Dunn's role of that negating forward who takes rebounding defenders out of the game, but can turn around and kick 4 himself at the flick of a switch. Or if he EVER bulks up, to be an Embley type. He's miles off it at the moment though.

[Fat Tony 5,068]

I would look to trade Morton while he maintains some trade value. While I think he can become a serviceable player, his acceleration off the mark is not good enough and he is not a good enough kick to star as an outside midfielde. And I highly doubt he will ever gain the strength in the contest to play as either a key back or a forward.

It is disappointing that none of the ‘best kicks in the draft’ that we have drafted in recent years have yet proven themselves to be quality kicks at AFL level (Morton, Strauss and Maric).

[hardtack 10,393]

You were doing well up until this point (but I will put it down to temporary insanity due to the hour at which you were posting):

players that irk me are for eg nathan jones,a player who does not know his limitations or deficiencies.also he is not as tough as people regard him.the whole football world sees jones as our gut.he should be traded as he is over valued.he does not learn.

[Guest Artie Bucco]

Most logical people say - he needs confidence.

Then go to the game and boo him and shout abuse at him all game. I'm not sure how much of this players here, but last week some nut bag out of nowhere top of his voice yells "see you at Casey Morton". When clearly he had put his body on the line a few times and made a solid contribution.

We all defended Watts for so long, maybe its time we have a little patience with Morton. We've all noted what a weapon he can be and obviously missing a lot of footy over the last two years has slowed his development from talented junior to a guy who knows how to play within a team.

It's why I liked him at half back where his job is simpler - stand opponent, chase opponent, spoil ball, run to space, kick. But the club are taking the tougher option by putting him on the wing where he has to think about positioning and win much more contested ball.

Good post.

I have been frustrated at times but still see a lot of progress and potential in Morton.

He has my unwavering support for now.

Easy to forget he's only a year older than Watts, has missed a lot of time through injury, and has taken a lot more effort to put on bulk.

He's getting there.

Problem is too many of us want him to be a champion now, without consideration for what should be reasonably expected of him.

[Axis of Bob 11,130]

I agree BRFE. He has been unfairly maligned for his games since he came back into the side. He has been given some jobs to do and he has done those jobs very well.

Plus, last week against Freo, he had 10 contested possessions. This placed him 5th in our side (equal with Moloney).

[Guest Thomo]

The whole Morton soft thing started from the idiots on the footyshow showing something out of context, and now the idiots who watch that show believe it. I watched him run back into players with the flight of the ball six times on the weekend, and still people came on here saying how soft he was.

I can't believe ex-players on that show would degrade 19 year old kid with that footage for a cheap laugh. Gary Lyon and the other clowns should be ashamed of themselves.