Season in short:

While the work of Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd was spoken about at length in 2015, Dale Morris’ influence was just as important.

The 32-year-old once again took on the opposition’s best, playing on mainly small to medium forwards over his 14 games this season, but at times playing on the opposition’s key forwards – a role Morris has become accustomed to over his career.

Morris was sidelined for eight weeks from rounds 4-12 with a pectoral injury, and returned for one match through the VFL – delighting Footscray fans.

The veteran defender joined Murphy and Boyd as the leaders of the Dogs’ defensive unit, and was reliable, consistent and efficient.

Morris was also nominated as the Club’s most courageous player in the AFLPA MVP awards.

Stat that mattered:

Morris finished fifth in the league for effective disposals per game, at 87.1 per cent.

What they said:

“We’re forever changing, we’re forever learning, we’re forever doing things a little bit differently and this season was no different. I had to learn some new things in my game and be a bit more attacking, whereas in the past I’ve been more a defensive style of player, and to grow that attacking side of my game was a big emphasis this season.” – Dale Morris, September 2015

“This year with Bevo coming in, he actually wanted him to play on a smaller guy and sometimes play on a key forward but maybe look at the medium and small forwards for the opposition.

“Moz had a hampered pre-season which hurt him a little bit and then he got injured pretty badly against Hawthorn… But him coming back into the side, I think he played the last ten games in a row, and there’s no coincidence that our back line grew in that ten weeks.

“He’s such an important player for us, his never-say-die attitude, his selflessness to provide a block for someone else or put his body on the line for a spoil, he’s just such an important player for us.” – Rohan Smith (Western Bulldogs Assistant Coach), September 2015