MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says he doesn't want to anoint young-gun Cale Morton as a future leader of the club, despite admitting he has the capabilities to do so.
Bailey said he was "reluctant to put that sort of pressure on a young player like Cale".
Morton, who won this round’s NAB AFL Rising Star Award, did have the potential needed to be a leader, though, according to Bailey.
"He's shown all of the right qualities at this stage, but those things come with more experience and game time. He'll end up being a really good player for us," Bailey added at the Junction Oval on Tuesday.
Bailey said Morton, who joins fellow Demons Austin Wonaeamirri and Colin Garland as rising star nominees this year, was a deserving recipient.
"It's a very good reward for Cale. There are three Mortons playing in the AFL and we're really pleased [with him] and we think we've got the best one obviously – I shouldn't say that," Bailey added with a smile.
"His parents have been fantastic to have three young men [who are] playing in the AFL, which is a great achievement, but for us, Cale has been consistent and he's come straight into the system.
"It's not often you get a player like Cale, who can consistently play well and contribute in most games.
"It's all credit to him. He's a great young man who works really hard and we're really pleased that he's going to be a long-term player for Melbourne."
Bailey said the most pleasing aspect of Morton's development this season was his ability to soak up as much information as possible.
"He has a very good understanding of the game, but he wants to know more. He's very smart and he's a very keen observer of the game and we've taken him to some of the games this year to watch other clubs' play," Bailey said.
"He asks very good questions and he makes very good points and I think that's certainly been a credit to him.
“He really wants to be a good player and I think he has a real desire. He's very competitive and that's got him to where he is.
"The future looks really good with him."
Bailey said the club was optimistic about receiving another NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in the final two rounds, with midfielder Simon Buckley, who won a career-best 31 disposals against West Coast last round, still in the mix.
"We might get a fourth one and that'd be great," Bailey said.
"'Bucks' has been very good and someone like Stef Martin has been fantastic to come from where he has [although he is ineligible having been born in 1986], but Simon Buckley has been good for us, but there are a lot of good young players out there."
Meanwhile, Morton said he was delighted to gain a nomination after a fine first season.
"It's good. It's pretty exciting. I'm pretty proud to have got the nomination this week. It's a bit of a reward for the season, and it's a good honour," Morton said.
