I thought the issue of our midfield being poor was not an excuse to play Morton. It was more an assessment of how Morton performed creditably within a bog awful midfield. I dont think as a "skinny kid" Morton was flogged. The argument can be put that Morton could have coasted more in the lower pressure of the VFL. And I dont think playing him in the AFL denied him from getting stronger. Both could be achieved. Watts progress in his early years was slow. Firstly, Watts did VCE in his first year and had no pre season and limited training regime. Aside from the Collingwood error, he was given a very gradual monitored development path. And I dont think there is a proper way to "ease" into AFL football. The reality is there is nothing easy about.

And as for the current regime, all we know is they have picked a 20 yo and 22yo co captains (with less than 40 games of AFL) with a young leadership. You are not going to try and tell me they are being eased into their positions at all.

I thought the issue of our midfield being poor was not an excuse to play Morton. It was more an assessment of how Morton performed creditably within a bog awful midfield. I dont think as a "skinny kid" Morton was flogged. The argument can be put that Morton could have coasted more in the lower pressure of the VFL. And I dont think playing him in the AFL denied him from getting stronger. Both could be achieved. Watts progress in his early years was slow. Firstly, Watts did VCE in his first year and had no pre season and limited training regime. Aside from the Collingwood error, he was given a very gradual monitored development path. And I dont think there is a proper way to "ease" into AFL football. The reality is there is nothing easy about.

And as for the current regime, all we know is they have picked a 20 yo and 22yo co captains (with less than 40 games of AFL) with a young leadership. You are not going to try and tell me they are being eased into their positions at all.

I've given up Morton bashing but I will say this.....

Men are men and boys are boys.

Trengove is the complete package

Grimes will always be picked if fit

Watts will be an absolute champion .

Morton owes the MFC

We owe him nothing ,except the opportunity to improve himself-alot .

Anyone can "lose their man" and hope the contest gets won. Its terrible ,unaccountable ,unacceptable ,embarrassing ,demeaning , cheap and selfish.

I only hope he was under instruction from Bailey and that those instructions are nullified .

I formed this opinion playing CHB and full back .

Half my job was to yell at flashy and loose mids and treat them like the glory hunters they were . Cannot stand "outside" players.

Netball is a good game for that .

Cale Morton needs a defined role , some defensive tactics and some belief .Bailey let him down.

Neeld may give him the confidence to be all he can be .

I've given up Morton bashing but I will say this.....

Ahh some habits are hard to break.....

Time will tell with Morton.

To miss 2 weeks - did something to his knee at home, slight medial strain.

So Cale fails to get through yet another pre-season injury-free! Bummer, as by all reports he was doing well.

To miss 2 weeks - did something to his knee at home, slight medial strain.

So Cale fails to get through yet another pre-season injury-free! Bummer, as by all reports he was doing well.

That is a shame, he looked quite good in the intra club game.

Not ideal but nowhere near as bad as his injurys during past pre seasons.

To miss 2 weeks - did something to his knee at home, slight medial strain.

So Cale fails to get through yet another pre-season injury-free! Bummer, as by all reports he was doing well.

Hi bing - sorry, where's this written? I haven't paid much attention to D'land over the past few days.

When I think of Cale's recent efforts, 2 particular games come to mind. The first, and most recent, against the Gold Coast at the Gabba in 2011. He played on the wing in front of me, and just appeared to get cheap kicks and not really include himself in the game. But, as another poster mentioned, was it more clever play buy getting in to the clear? If that's the case, he really needs to work of his defensive efforts, and I'm sure this has been addressed with the entire team and not just Cale.

The other game that stands out is "that" game at the MCG against the Swans in 2010 when he went head to head with Goodes. Apart from teh fact that Goodes kicked 4, I thought Cale played an amazing game, and had him in my best (although I think I did have "team effort" listed under the best players for that game!). Cale chased and chased one of the best players of recent times, and would've/should've learnt a great deal from it. If he can play at that level more consistently, and improve on some of the areas that Goodes exposed, he has the potential to be not only a starting 18 player, but quite possibly in the top half dozen on our list.

At the end of the day, he was a pick 4 (I think), there was obviously something there, and I hope like hell that Neeld can get sometihng out of him over the next 12 months to then attack 2013's preseason with great confidence that Cale will consolidate a spot in our premiership sides in years to come.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/129349/default.aspx

http://www.afl.com.a...49/default.aspx

Thanks DD.

Hi bing - sorry, where's this written? I haven't paid much attention to D'land over the past few days.

When I think of Cale's recent efforts, 2 particular games come to mind. The first, and most recent, against the Gold Coast at the Gabba in 2011. He played on the wing in front of me, and just appeared to get cheap kicks and not really include himself in the game. But, as another poster mentioned, was it more clever play buy getting in to the clear? If that's the case, he really needs to work of his defensive efforts, and I'm sure this has been addressed with the entire team and not just Cale.

The other game that stands out is "that" game at the MCG against the Swans in 2010 when he went head to head with Goodes. Apart from teh fact that Goodes kicked 4, I thought Cale played an amazing game, and had him in my best (although I think I did have "team effort" listed under the best players for that game!). Cale chased and chased one of the best players of recent times, and would've/should've learnt a great deal from it. If he can play at that level more consistently, and improve on some of the areas that Goodes exposed, he has the potential to be not only a starting 18 player, but quite possibly in the top half dozen on our list.

At the end of the day, he was a pick 4 (I think), there was obviously something there, and I hope like hell that Neeld can get sometihng out of him over the next 12 months to then attack 2013's preseason with great confidence that Cale will consolidate a spot in our premiership sides in years to come.

Yeah - and against the same team, Brad Miller played one amazing game against Barry Hall and dined out on it for several seasons with very little input.

What Cale needs to do is consistently do exciting, or team things and put in fearlessly.

Make no mistake - 2012 is surely Cale's "crossroads season" - Neeld won't put up with the usual underwhelming and often insipid efforts we have seen, for whatever reason, over the past years.

Yeah - and against the same team, Brad Miller played one amazing game against Barry Hall and dined out on it for several seasons with very little input.

What Cale needs to do is consistently do exciting, or team things and put in fearlessly.

Make no mistake - 2012 is surely Cale's "crossroads season" - Neeld won't put up with the usual underwhelming and often insipid efforts we have seen, for whatever reason, over the past years.

So you agree with most of what I wrote then?

I'm of a neutral opinion as to where Cale is at. I'm not as critical as Cale's performance as some on here, but I'm not happy with his progress, esepcailly last season. A lot of it is between the ears (I think B59 said as much), and if/Neeld/whoever can get in the rigth frame of mind, I'm sure he can be a valuable player for the MFC. It's at a stage now where he has to take steps forward, as anything less will not be tolerated.

Edit: The bit in itallics.

To miss 2 weeks - did something to his knee at home, slight medial strain.

So Cale fails to get through yet another pre-season injury-free! Bummer, as by all reports he was doing well.

must have been a sudden gust of wind.

just jokes, i for one think cale has plenty left to offer

at the peak of the jack watts bashing from a few years back, i made a point by buying his badge and pinning it to my scarfe with pride to which i copped much jesting. ill be at etihad next saturday night and although he will not be in attendance i will be purchasing a cale badge and plonking that right next to jacky boy for good luck. i think i have started a tradition. does lucas cook have a badge yet?

Well done on backing the players demonoid.

Just in general and not directed at specific individual,

......can we do away with allegations of "player bashing". It has a similar application on a debate as labelling someone a "racist". None of that goes on as its against the CoC and all Mods and the Site Owners are quick prevent any such attacks should they occur. If do feel there is a case of unwarranted player attack then use the report button on the thread

There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism of a player's performance. Players and officials from all Clubs should be respected but are not immune to fair and reasonable assessment and judgement on the Boards.

Well done on backing the players demonoid.

Just in general and not directed at specific individual,

......can we do away with allegations of "player bashing". It has a similar application on a debate as labelling someone a "racist". None of that goes on as its against the CoC and all Mods and the Site Owners are quick prevent any such attacks should they occur. If do feel there is a case of unwarranted player attack then use the report button on the thread

There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism of a player's performance. Players and officials from all Clubs should be respected but are not immune to fair and reasonable assessment and judgement on the Boards.

Well said RR...

Agree with the majority - it's now or never.

It's so frustrating cause he is a beautiful kick of the footy.

Well done on backing the players demonoid.

Just in general and not directed at specific individual,

......can we do away with allegations of "player bashing". It has a similar application on a debate as labelling someone a "racist".

From those holding the moral high ground, or who think they should or do, it is aimed at stifling genuine debate: stopping it dead in its tracks.

A bit like pointing out to Tim Flannery that there have been huge floods in QLD the last couple of years; only a few years after he had said that SEQ would become a ghost area through lack of water - the pejorative put down from his ilk is "sceptic". I am proud to ge a sceptic.

From those holding the moral high ground, or who think they should or do, it is aimed at stifling genuine debate: stopping it dead in its tracks.

A bit like pointing out to Tim Flannery that there have been huge floods in QLD the last couple of years; only a few years after he had said that SEQ would become a ghost area through lack of water - the pejorative put down from his ilk is "sceptic". I am proud to ge a sceptic.

I don't see the connection, other than it's another opportunity for you to push your political views onto the football board. We get it, you're a lib voting, climate sceptic. I don't understand why you feel compelled to remind us every 3rd post.

I know my opinions are well-known on Cale, but, well...

maybe he twinged it practicing for a Port Adelaide game?

As the first player younger than me to ever play for Melbourne, Cale Morton has a special place in my heart. But to be honest, Kate Moss has a better chance of being hard at the contest than him - at least she has some bloody drive!

As the first player younger than me to ever play for Melbourne, Cale Morton has a special place in my heart. But to be honest, Kate Moss has a better chance of being hard at the contest than him - at least she has some bloody drive!

Me thinks if Morton is ever going to be hard at the footy, he'll do it under neeld. If not, you'd have to say his days at Melbourne are over.

C'mon Cale.

Give us something.

Nothing pisses me off more than a player injuring themselves at home! Be more careful Sticks McGee!

Is it just me or does Cale remind anyone of Mr Glass, from Unbreakable?

Nothing pisses me off more than a player injuring themselves at home! Be more careful Sticks McGee!

Is it just me or does Cale remind anyone of Mr Glass, from Unbreakable?

I think he is more like bruce reid he just needs constant sticky taping and he will be fine.

If he gets a go this season - he better take it with both hands and do something .I don't want to be one of those Melbourne Melbourne supporters bagging our own .Those days are gone I hope .Anyway ,Neeld wont take any weak efforts I'm sure .

Dear Cale ,

Please repay the time and effort we have put in you by playing every game as if it is your last .Death before dishonour .

If you get sacked by us and star for another club I will find you and we will have a private chat .

Wish we could get Robbie Flower in to mentor this guy. Being a rake is obviously playing on his confidence and he's struggling with stuff that came naturally when he was still in the juniors.

If he's gonna stay as skinny as he is then he's gotta take it on the chin and learn from someone who was an elite player because of it, or maybe took it on as an asset. Has all the talent to come good just needs a decent role model who can convince him to back himself and go hard at the footy.