14 July 2001
You marvel at the brilliant performers in Cirque du Soleil and Circus Oz. Tightrope walkers can bend themselves into shapes as though they're made out of plasticine like Wallace and Gromit. Tumblers do somersaults anywhere. On piled up chairs, on the trapeze, while spinning dozens of hoops. But the 180 or 360 can be a dangerous manoeuvre especially where football is involved. A player suffered a severe neck injury from involuntary glutes over pecs. He was lucky not to suffer serious and permanent damage. The man in question is Danny Morton. He had a reedish physique. 175 centimetres tall and a featherlight 68 kilograms. He showcased skills, pace and courage in 30 games with SANFL club North Adelaide. Fitzroy needed someone to fill the Lottos left by Leon and Bernie Harris. The Roys picked up DM with 1992 draft pick 70. The Maroons gave their recruit the number 34 jumper worn with aplomb by Grant Lawrie.
Morton took a while to get with the pressure and pack warfare of AFL footy. He made his senior debut in 1994. Impressed with his speed and liveliness around goals. In the '94 Ansett Cup match against Geelong important guys such as Alastair Lynch and Brad Boyd and Peter Sartori all got injuries. But 10 minutes into the third Danny read the ball off the pack eluded O'Reilly and Barnes and registered full points. He contributed to a morale boosting win.
To 1995. Round 8. Adelaide at Football Park. A dream performance by the visitors. Hawkins played a blinder. Half way through the concluding half hour Morton took a mark and played on to goal from 35. No pressure. It was the last gold handle on the Crows' coffin. The signal for annoyed supporters to stream from the ground. A Fitz win 15.9 to 9.12.
1996. The final heart-wrenching year in the proud history of an eight flag club. Round 8 versus the Dockers at the Western Oval. Close to full time the pipes were calling Danny Boy when he took a courageous mark running back into a pack. He goaled from 30 metres. Lions victorious 16.11 to 10.16. Late in the third he scored a clever snap goal in the disappointing loss to West Coast at the WACA in round 15. Roys down 20.11 to 9.9.
Like the eruption of Krakatoa. A disaster. When Fitzroy was folded, Morton had no interest in relocating to Brisbane. He had played 30 games for 17 goals. He returned to the SANFL Roosters. In came Port Power. They selected Dan the man with 1997 national selection 41. He was allocated the number 13 guernsey. 1998 round 9 v. the Maggies at Footy Park. Late in the second DM took a trademark gutsy grab and dobbed the major from 40. Port weathered the storm. 11.14 to 9.9. A sickening incident in round 13 against the Bullies at FP, a night game. With Port well in control deep into quarter four the ball was kicked high and slow to the teal half forward line. Morton lost his footing, somersaulted over an opponent and landed on the side of his head. The player didn't move. Trainers attached a neck brace and stretchered him from the arena. Spectators thought the poor fellow might have broken his neck.
Morton made a full recovery. Yet Port gave Danny the mortein at the end of 2000. 43 games and 27 goals in total. He resumed with North Adelaide. One of the best on ground in the SANFL win over the VFL at Adelaide Oval three weeks back.
The terrors of a tumble.