Dale Morris has passed the first big test on his way back from his second ACL injury in the space of two years.
The 36-year-old played all four quarters in Footscray’s big win over Port Melbourne in cold and wet conditions at Adcon Stadium.
“The knee feels great. I was able to run out the game, get some good minutes in there, and it felt really good,” Morris said.
“There were quite a lot of nerves, actually. Just the stress of playing footy, the excitement, everything rolled into one.
“I just couldn’t wait to get out there, and I’m just rapt with how everything went.”
If he was nervous, it didn’t show. Within 30 seconds he had already affected a strong spoil in a marking contest and wore a couple of strong tackles from Port’s forwards.
As the game wore on, all the typical Morris signs were there – the expert positioning, calmness under pressure, pinpoint execution, and direction for his team-mates.
There was also a classic run-down tackle on Port big man Tom Goodwin late in the third quarter which got the Footscray fans jumping out of their seats.
For a man who is just expected to be an on-field teacher for the Bulldogs’ developing defenders, it was his team-mates who helped ease him back into the swing of things.
“They were actually very vocal and talking to me out there, which is a really good sign,” Morris said.
“As the game wore on, I felt a lot more comfortable and was able to get in the groove a little bit. The pleasing thing was it wasn’t left up to one person.
“It’s the role I naturally do because I love playing footy so much and I want the best for everyone around me.”
Now that box one has been ticked, Morris will do what he always has – recover well, look after his body, and get ready for the next challenge.
