Cale's time to shine

[pitmaster 3,064]

10 disposals at 100% efficiency and a goal in 20 minutes of play, good god

Played almost entirely without an opponent as WC had an extra man back and Cale was loose. Not so great. Workmanlike at best.

[deanox 8,645]

I hope Cale makes a career or of forty at West Coast. He didn't bag us after he left, he had a couple of promising years then struggled. I really feel hos biggest problem was confidence and it would be good to see him find that again. I think he had 3 coaches in his time at the mfc, a bit of stability will be good for him.

[praha 10,287]

Probably do okay there. Might play 20-30 games.

[Weedster 174]

I hope Cale makes a career or of forty at West Coast. He didn't bag us after he left, he had a couple of promising years then struggled. I really feel hos biggest problem was confidence and it would be good to see him find that again. I think he had 3 coaches in his time at the mfc, a bit of stability will be good for him.

I too wish him well. Started off ok under DB, went backwards at a million miles an hour under MN.

[DeeSpencer 23,189]

I too wish him well. Started off ok under DB, went backwards at a million miles an hour under MN.

Harsh on Neeld with that one, he was heading backwards under Bailey as well. In fact he played some half decent games in the centre square mid year last year under Neeld but couldn't string it together.

His first year as a loose wingman was great but he just couldn't fix any of his deficiencies without losing his strengths.

Half back on a big ground like Subi is perfect for him. Follow a non dangerous half forward up the ground, keep with them, use his height advantage to spoil or mark then get out in space as he did yesterday.

I think he might have made it in the same role with us but we were so inept against the forward press that he was constantly under pressure and his physical attributes and kicking action/efficiency don't lend him to be a good player against the press. As teams learnt how to at least diffuse the press he would've looked better.

His body still doesn't look right and I know guys have great careers with funny body shapes in the AFL - see Dane Swan but I don't get how he doesn't have more bulk. It would be fine if he had blistering speed but athletically he is moderately paced, decent endurance, zero strength.

[Machsy 2,858]

I wish I could be as gracious as you lot.

I see a bloke we spent pick 4 on and, despite his talent, did not give anywhere near his best for the jumper and refused to get hurt. As a result he contributed to many losses and clogged a spot on our list for 5 years.

Not his biggest fan that's for sure.

He was terribly managed, developed poorly and didn't choose himself.

The blame should lie with Barry Prendergast, the coaching department at the time, and those that employed them.

[Slartibartfast 15,818]

He was terribly managed, developed poorly and didn't choose himself.

The blame should lie with Barry Prendergast, the coaching department at the time, and those that employed them.

Barry Prendergast! LOL.

If you're going to have a crack at least get the target right.

[Clark_Kent 315]

It is Cameron's fault. The fact is we should've taken Dangerfield instead of thinking 'oh who won the best player award we will pick him even though he is the skinniest player to play the game'.

Edited July 22, 2013 by cunnerz09

[Nasher 33,074]

Barry Prendergast! LOL.

If you're going to have a crack at least get the target right.

I once made a comment that Cale Morton would be Craig Cameron's legacy. Sadly what panned out wasn't quite what I had in mind.

[DeeSpencer 23,189]

It is Cameron's fault. The fact is we should've taken Dangerfield instead of thinking 'oh who won the best player award we will pick him even though he is the skinniest player to play the game'.

That's crap. Only one club rated Dangerfield higher than Morton in Adelaide. You can't get them all right. Development with Morton was sorely lacking and the other thing is recruiting is not an exact science, every year there is 1 highly ranked guy who doesn't make it at least.

[Clark_Kent 315]

It's not total crap. I know I was over exaggerating the way Cameron spoke but the fact is we as a club have cheaped out in the recruiting department and it shows. We've tried to save money in this area and seem to always miss out on the better players. Now I know we aren't the only club to have done this but we seem to do it more so than everyone else.

[dazzledavey36 48,884]

It's not total crap. I know I was over exaggerating the way Cameron spoke but the fact is we as a club have cheaped out in the recruiting department and it shows. We've tried to save money in this area and seem to always miss out on the better players. Now I know we aren't the only club to have done this but we seem to do it more so than everyone else.

Just admit it, you were stoked to have Morton at the time. Edited July 22, 2013 by dazzledavey36

[Machsy 2,858]

Barry Prendergast! LOL.

If you're going to have a crack at least get the target right.

True, I forgot he was a CAC job.

Sue me.

[Machsy 2,858]

Point was: don't blame the kid himself for not being as good as club tried to advertise.

[Clark_Kent 315]

I wasn't actually. I did try to defend him a lot as a few of my mates (Eagles supporters) would give me crap because of how skinny he was and how he would get bumped off the ball so easily. I also held out hope that he would somehow turn into a damaging half back/mid similar to Cameron Bruce. But his lack of competitive appetite was obvious and it's been the same with a lot of players we've drafted. This is why I was talking about our recruiting as we draft the wrong people with the wrong picks and also show little foresight. I'm hoping we've turned the corner with our recruiting last season as I was fairly happy with it and personally think Toumpas will be an absolute gun.

[baysidedave 246]

I can only assume the OP thought it was his first game in Eagles colours.

His first game he got 1 touch, lucky to get another go. He'll be delisted when contract up.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

It's not total crap. I know I was over exaggerating the way Cameron spoke but the fact is we as a club have cheaped out in the recruiting department and it shows. We've tried to save money in this area and seem to always miss out on the better players. Now I know we aren't the only club to have done this but we seem to do it more so than everyone else.

no he's correct it is total crap

this must be the 700th time Ive made this comment but every single club in the comp would have used that pick on Morton, there wasnt the slightest doubt about it

but yeah i know it is easier to blame a recruiter

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

his lack of competitive appetite was obvious

you knew this before draft day did you

interesting

[Clark_Kent 315]

I'm not a recruiter mate it's not my job to go and watch all these young kids and see what their strengths and weaknesses are. Maybe if I had given it a go I would have been good at it, maybe I would've sucked who knows. All I am saying is we cheaped out on recruiters, if you don't think that is true then that is your opinion but I'm sure there would be a lot of other people who agree.

[Pitchy 196]

Can't judge a player under Neeld.

Players I think would have continued well with the MFC if Bailey had stayed and Neeld was not such a terrible demotivating coach (and Schwab hadn't been so vindictive);

Morton

Gysberts

Jurrah

Wona

Rivers

Moloney

Petterd

Green

I honestly think this to be the case. This is why we need a priority pick. With the players above we are competing with Nth this week. The perceptions of these players under Neeld can not be taken seriously. I saw enough in all the above to think they had what it took to be on our list. Morton was frustrating as hell but he had talent and with a good coach will move forward.

Players who I think would not have made it regardless;

Lucas Cook

Matthew Bate

Jamie Bennell

etc.

[Clark_Kent 315]

Yeah I agree with what you're saying. Neeld seemed to only want his type of players and seemed to discard players who couldn't play the way he wanted. I don't know if that is fact but it definitely appeared to be that way.

[Its Time for Another 4,054]

I hope Cale makes a career or of forty at West Coast. He didn't bag us after he left, he had a couple of promising years then struggled. I really feel hos biggest problem was confidence and it would be good to see him find that again. I think he had 3 coaches in his time at the mfc, a bit of stability will be good for him.

And he's about to have at least 2 more at WC, assuming he lasts beyond this year.

[Machsy 2,858]

Can't judge a player under Neeld.

Players I think would have continued well with the MFC if Bailey had stayed and Neeld was not such a terrible demotivating coach (and Schwab hadn't been so vindictive);

Morton

Gysberts

Jurrah

Wona

Rivers

Moloney

Petterd

Green

I honestly think this to be the case. This is why we need a priority pick. With the players above we are competing with Nth this week. The perceptions of these players under Neeld can not be taken seriously. I saw enough in all the above to think they had what it took to be on our list. Morton was frustrating as hell but he had talent and with a good coach will move forward.

Players who I think would not have made it regardless;

Lucas Cook

Matthew Bate

Jamie Bennell

etc.

You're trippin balls, brah.

[P-man 13,224]

Can't judge a player under Neeld.

Players I think would have continued well with the MFC if Bailey had stayed and Neeld was not such a terrible demotivating coach (and Schwab hadn't been so vindictive);

Morton

Gysberts

Jurrah

Wona

Rivers

Moloney

Petterd

Green

I honestly think this to be the case. This is why we need a priority pick. With the players above we are competing with Nth this week. The perceptions of these players under Neeld can not be taken seriously. I saw enough in all the above to think they had what it took to be on our list. Morton was frustrating as hell but he had talent and with a good coach will move forward.

I'm far from Neeld's biggest fan, but I'm not sure where you're coming from with most of those names.

Green retired.

Jurrah's problems have been well publicised, and I think only the harshest of critics would attribute them to Neeld.

Wonna is in a similar boat to Jurrah with family issues that had zero to do with Neeld.

Morton won't be missed. He's a skinny also ran, nothing more.

Gysberts is barely performing to par in the VFL, let alone forcing his way into the North side.

That leaves Moloney, Rivers and Petterd, all of which I'd still have at the club.

One name you left off is Martin. I had doubts over moving him on, but the emergence of Fitzy has me now thinking "Stef who?"

[Its Time for Another 4,054]

That leaves Moloney, Rivers and Petterd, all of which I'd still have at the club.

I would have agreed with you at the beginning of the year on Rivers but his deteriorating knee issue has been mentioned since he left and is so bad he's only been able to play a couple of games at the beginning of the year and that's it. Doubtful he'll play again this year. So probably ends up not being a loss and we would have been forced into a 3 year contract for more money for a player who can't play.

I don't think we'll miss Moloney, he was part of the cultural problem not part of the solution. I was sorry to see Petterd go. Happens a lot with players who are injured for three years then leave go somewhere else just when they recover. Wish him the best.