Cale Morton (No.10)

Career
Debut: 2008
Career matches: 64
Career goals: 31
 
2011
Matches: 14
Goals: 5
Kicks: 126
Marks: 63
Handballs: 99
Disposals: 225
Tackles: 21

Todd Viney’s season assessment
Cale struggled to get going. He was very inconsistent and he was disappointed with his year. It was one of those years, which he’d like to forget, but I reckon it’ll be a driving force for him going into 2012. He’s one player who needs to get fitter and stronger in the pre-season to be able to compete. So he has a fair bit of work to undertake.  

Round-by-round assessment
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell

AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans
Injured: finger

AFL: Round 2 v Hawthorn
Injured: finger  

AFL: Round 3 v Brisbane Lions
Cale came on and replaced Jack Watts as our substitute. It was Cale’s first match of the season, after he injured his finger in the pre-season. He came on and did some good things, but needed to get involved in the game when he got his opportunity. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 4 v Gold Coast Suns
Cale was good on the wing. He was good away from stoppage and in general play. His positioning was good and he continued to step-up in his second game back for the season. He also kicked three goals. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 5 - Bye

AFL: Round 6 v West Coast Eagles
Cale needed to focus on the little things in his game to improve his form. He also needed to continue to focus on the defensive side of his game. We needed him to work hard and put pressure on the opposition with his tackling and chasing. Mark Williams
 
VFL: Round 6 v Northern Bullants   
Cale needed to work on the reasons why he came back for us - he needed to build on his pressure and play his position in the right manner. But his attitude was very good and he showed he was a genuine class player, winning plenty of the ball. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 7 v Bendigo Bombers
Cale was our highest possession winner with 28 touches. I was pleased with his attitude. He had a point to prove, because he wasn’t that good in the previous match. Cale also had five tackles, so he had a consistent game. I also wanted him to get more physical and show that side of his game. He also played in the middle - not just as an outside winger - and showed a bit there. So he was good. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 8 - Bye

AFL: Round 10 v Carlton
Cale was solid. He won an excellent contested ball early in the match, but unfortunately had a free kick paid against him. His work rate was good. It was a game that he could build on. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 11 v Essendon
Cale was solid. He showed some fantastic pace and won some really important loose balls one-on-one. He continued to build some good form. He gave us flexibility because of the many positions he can play. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 12 v Collingwood
Cale did a great job on Heath Shaw and continued his involvement in the game, when released after half-time. It was pleasing to see him get back to support our defence in the third quarter and maintain his work-rate late in the game. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 13 v Fremantle
Cale did some pretty good things, but still needed to work on some aspects of his game. He continued to impress with his intensity and his running when in possession. But he needed to maintain his concentration when covering for teammates and at stoppage. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 14 v Richmond
Cale came on as the sub late in the game. He was pretty solid, and involved himself in the game - always a challenge as sub. He continued to develop, and had a clear focus on the areas he needed to improve. Cale worked diligently on these areas at training and in games. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 15 v Western Bulldogs
Cale was pretty good defensively. He made a few errors when in possession, but overall was solid. We wanted to see Cale take the game on more and get more involved in our counter-attack. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 16 - Bye
 
AFL: Round 17 v Port Adelaide
Cale did some good things, but needed to focus on positives. He fumbled a little bit, but he needed to back himself and work on the basics of the game. Mark Williams
 
VFL: Round 17 - Bye

VFL: Round 18 v Geelong
Cale’s demeanour never changed, which was pleasing. He worked hard, whether he was on the wing or through the midfield. Cale ended up with a lot of clearances. He was a bit slow in close at times and got stripped of the ball. Brad Gotch
 
VFL: Round 19 v Sandringham
Cale was probably our best player. His effort and attitude were summed up by his 32 possessions. He worked really hard, and was a great contributor. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles
Cale positioned himself well on most occasions at stoppages. He used the ball well most of the time, but let himself down by not finishing and hitting the scoreboard. He needed to increase his work-rate, defensive run and spread. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 22 v Richmond
Cale had 21 disposals and took some good strong marks. He kicked the ball inside 50 four times. Cale needed to go forward when he won the ball and use his tank more often to involve himself in the game. We needed him spreading hard both ways. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 23 v Gold Coast Suns
Cale played several roles over the course of the day. He was structurally really sound. Although he didn’t win a lot of the ball, his defensive intent was good. He needed to advance that part of his game. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 24 v Port Adelaide   
Although Cale didn’t have a lot of possessions, his work rate was very good. He kicked a very good goal and set up some others with some smart use of the ball. Structurally, he was much better in our last month of the season. Mark Williams