DALE MORRIS has been a pillar of theWestern Bulldogs backline for nearly a decade, a player widely respected for makingthe most of his ability.
Someone who has grown up watching andadmiring Morris is young teammate and round 15 NAB AFL Rising Star nomineeMichael Talia.
Like the 2008 All Australian, Talia isn'tblessed with the purest of kicking actions but makes up for it with an unrelentingdesire to beat an opponent.
"When Dale was injured last year we'dsit together at games and he'd run me through certain defensive plays,"Talia told AFL.com.au.
"And when we're out on the ground he'sgiving me advice, so he's been the biggest influence on my career."
The master and the apprentice repelled manya forward thrust during the Bulldogs thrilling victory over Greater WesternSydney on Saturday.
Talia delivered the most impressive performanceof his nine-game career, collecting a team-high 32 possessions - mostimportantly at an efficiency rate of 78 per cent.
"I've worked extremely hard on my kickingover the past 18 months, to the point where I have an extra 500 to 600 kicks aweek at training," he said.
"But my theory is to play basicdefensive footy first and then hopefully I get a couple of touches off that.
"The coach wants me to want the footyin my hands so it makes it harder for my opponent when I work off himoffensively and then I can set up some play from there."
Brendon McCartney is happy his young chargeis following instructions.
"Michaelis progressing really well, and just keeps improving steadily as a genuine talldefender. He showed some good signs towards the end of last season with hisappetite to compete and great capacity to run, and has continued that thisyear," McCartney said.
"Thereare still some things to work on in his game, but we are optimistic about wherehe is heading as a player."
While Morris was an inspired choice in the2005 rookie draft, Talia is proving to be one of the steals of the 2011national draft.
Rated as the best key defender in that talentpool, that lack of kicking polish saw him slide to pick 39, a pick the Dogs hadon the trade table for former Melbourne forward Matthew Bate.
But in a sliding doors moment, the tradefell through and the grandson of 1954 Footscray premiership ruckman HarveyStevens fulfilled what could possibly be his footballing destiny.
The 20-year-old's family links to the gamedon't end there, as he's the younger brother of Adelaide defender and 2012 NABAFL Rising Star Daniel Talia.
While a sibling rivalry exists, they'realso doing a spot of reconnaissance for one another.
"Daniel's been a massive help for meas I text him when I'm coming up against someone he's played on and I'm happyto help him out too."
