CALE Morton had a fantastic set of three matches for Western Australia and hewas duly rewarded with the Michael Larke Medal for the division one's bestplayer in the 2007 NAB AFL under 18 championships.
He polled 19 votes to win the award from teammate RhysPalmer (18), who also had a super tournament.
Morton played his best match in the final game of thecarnival against South Australia at CaseyFields in Melbourne'ssouth-east suburbs on Wednesday, where he had 27 disposals, took nine marks andbooted three goals. He also sent the ball inside 50 on five occasions.
Playing through the midfield or pushing forward, Morton'skicking was exceptional, while he was quick across the ground.
He runs all day and has an outstanding endurance base, and his marking ability adds another dimension to his game.
Morton continually won the ball at will, and at 192cm, he hasthe football world at this feet.
Four players received NAB Most Valuable Player awards on thefinal day – Matt Kreuzer (Vic Metro), Nick Suban (Vic Country), Palmer (Western Australia) and Levi Greenwood (South Australia).
Metro ruckman Kreuzer provided great leadership and strengthfor his side, and he never stopped trying.
For a player of his size, at 199cm, he continually workedhard and pushed the ball forward, and he moves beautifully across the ground.
Although Metro was unable to add a fourth successive title –it won in 2004-05-06 – Kreuzer's prospects were not tarnished whatsoever, andhis reputation as one of the leading NAB AFL National Draft contenders remains as strong asever.
His consistency over the threematches was a feature of his game.
Suban was an eye-opener for Vic Country, as a left-footedmedium-sized defender/midfielder.
He used the ball well from defence, while he has the happyknack of being able to turn out of trouble on his left side.
Suban is a hard-running, bottom-aged player and, although heis not eligible for this year's draft, he certainly showed in thesechampionships that he will be one to watch out for in 2008.
Palmer was the revelation of thechampionships.
He played very well against South Australia in the final match of thecarnival, after two brilliant displays against Vic Metro (34 disposals) and VicCountry (36 possessions) respectively.
Palmer simply accumulated possessions at will, while he hasgreat vision and uses his hands extremely well. He is a lovely left-footer andis a goalkicking midfielder who is not afraid to take the opposition on.
Greenwood was a very consistent player acrossthe championships.
He won plenty of contested possessions, while he impressedabove his head. Greenwood was very good in South Australia's first-match win over Vic Country, while the half-back/midfielder thoroughly deservedhis MVP award.
