Alex Morgan (Australian footballer)

Alex Morgan
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-01-28) 28 January 1996 (age 28)
Original team(s) Forest Hill (Vic)/Waverley Blues (Vic)/Oakleigh Chargers
Draft No. 29, 2015 national draft, Essendon
Debut 15 July 2018, North Melbourne vs. Sydney Swans, at Docklands Stadium
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 83 kg (183 lb)
Position(s) Half-back
Club information
Current club North Melbourne
Number 21
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018 North Melbourne 2 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2018.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Alex Morgan (born 28 January 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos in the Australian Football League (AFL). He made his debut in round 17 of the 2018 season against the Sydney Swans at Docklands Stadium.[1]

Morgan played junior football at the Waverley Blues Football Club and Forest Hill Football Club. He later joined TAC Cup club Oakleigh Chargers and played in a premiership.[2] Morgan recorded the equal-fastest 20 m (66 ft) sprint at the 2015 AFL Draft Combine with a time of 2.88 seconds.[3]

He was drafted by the Essendon Bombers with pick 29 in the 2015 national draft and wore number 21.[2] A hamstring injury restricted him to nine Victorian Football League (VFL) games in 2016.[4] He played 17 VFL games in 2017, averaging 13 disposals. Morgan was offered a one-year contract with Essendon for 2018, but left to seek more senior opportunities at North Melbourne.[5] He cited the arrival of Adam Saad in the 2017 trade period as a particular reason for his departure; Saad has similar pace and plays the same half-back role as Morgan. "I had to weigh up where I was at after two seasons without playing a game and ... felt that ... North Melbourne was a better fit in a way." Morgan commented.[6] He decided on North Melbourne after talking with coach Brad Scott.[7]

Morgan joined North Melbourne as a delisted free agent[5] on a one-year contract; if certain conditions are met, the deal will be extended by a year.[7] He wears his previous number 21 after Jy Simpkin switched to 12.[8]

References

  1. ^ "North Melbourne Vs Sydney Swans - Match Centre". afl.com.au. 15 July 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Alex Morgan". essendonfc.com.au. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Top performers from this year's draft combine". afl.com.au. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  4. ^ McGowan, Marc (31 October 2017). "Speedster rejects Don deal, set to join North". afl.com.au. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  5. ^ a b Beveridge, Riley (1 November 2017). "North Melbourne signs Essendon defender Alex Morgan as a delisted free agent". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  6. ^ McGowan, Marc (9 November 2017). "Dons' Saad deal forced young defender's move". afl.com.au. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  7. ^ a b McGowan, Marc (1 November 2017). "One-year deal could become two for new Roo". afl.com.au. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  8. ^ O'Loughlin, Heath (16 November 2017). "Waiting in the wings". nmfc.com.au. Retrieved 15 July 2018.