Saturday March 10 v Box Hill Hawks @ Casey Fields

Seniors 11am 

Development League  1.30pm

This week's VFL practice match sees the senior game between the Scorpions and the Hawks taking place as the curtain raiser to the Development League match. This will allow fans of both the Demons and the Hawks plenty of time to watch their senior affiliate teams in action at Casey Fields before heading off to Etihad Stadium for the big game at 5.40pm.

This week's Inside Football features an article on the Scorpions - No favours for Dees at Casey selection [no link currently available]. 

The article states that Melbourne players will need to earn their places even at the VFL club's selection table and quotes new Scorpion coach Brett Lovett as saying:-

"The only things we'll be looking at when we're picking a side are form and fitness.

He adds that Mark Neeld's attitude is that Lovett is the senior coach should be picking those who are going well and deserve to be there.

"He's let the Melbourne boys know that once they step out of the car (at Casey Fields) they have to do what's needed to be really competitive.

"If their attitude isn't good enough or their form isn't good enough they'll be running around in the development (reserves) team."

The article confirms that there will be no big names replacing the departing senior hands Brendan Fevola, James Wall, Michael Stockdale, Tim Mohr and Ben Waite.

However, new arrivals at the club include Gippsland Power graduates Luke Thompson (Moe), Ben Eddy (Wonthaggi) and Sean Corrigan (Officer), Berwick midfielder Nathan Page, Devon Meadows's Steve Mclnnes and Noble Park 2011 premiership player Luke Bull while the club will also be bolstered by the return from long term injuries of Michael Johnson (shoulder), Ricky Plummer (knee) and Tim Smith (knee). 

Finally, Kyle Matthews, who returned late last season after suffering serious head injuries in a nightclub attack in March, 2010, is expected to retain the captaincy which is due to be announced at the club's jumper presentation on March 17.

It's game on today at 11am at Casey with the seniors taking on Box Hill Hawks who like the Scorpions, will have a few senior players returning after injury.

Casey coach Brett Lovett previews the season ahead here -

VFL season preview with Brett Lovett

Ill be going for the first half/3 quarters anyone else venturing out?

I was just about to jump in the car and start the trip to Casey and my work rings saying we need you to come in.

Eight Demons playing - Blease, Jetta, Lawrence, Cook, Gysberts, Sheahan and Tom McDonald.

The Scorps started well doing all of the attacking and scored the first two goals of the game. I missed the goalkickers because I didn't get hold of a teamsheet until late in the quarter. The Hawks eventually got on top through their ruck dominance and held on to their marks better than their opponents in an otherwise scrappy affair. Tom McDonald haddock been good in the air and Jetta and Strauss strong in defence.

Box Hill on top late in the quarter and lead by 1 point at quarter time.

Eight Demons playing - Blease, Jetta, Lawrence, Cook, Gysberts, Sheahan and Tom McDonald. Scorps trail by 1 point at quarter time.

That is seven who is the eighth.

That is seven who is the eighth.

Strauss is playing too isn't he?

That is seven who is the eighth.

Sorry ... Strauss who has been doing well in defence and showing no ill-effects of that shocking injury incurred last year.

The Hawks continued to dominate the early parts of the term and should have been further ahead. A left foot snap from Sam Blease and a goal to Tom McDonald late in the quarter put the Scorps back in the game. The standard is lacklustre at best.

Half time: Box Hill 4.4.28 lead Casey 4.3.27

The third quarter just starting and Strauss is off the ground and standing near the entrance to the change rooms. It looks as though he was possibly only meant to play half a game.

Blease marks and scores to put Casey in front.

Box Hill took control after Blease's goal and added the next three goals of the quarter to lead by 14 points at the last break. Brett Lovett is speaking calmly to the players at the three quarter time huddle encouraging them to put in that extra effort in the final quarter.

thanks for real time scores

Well, that was the team's best quarter for the game. It took a while for Casey to get going with a goal to Cook. Late goals to Lawrence and Petropoulos give Casey a 7 point win over a flagging Box Hill but Lovett has a lot of work to do with his team. Tom McDonald was very good and Sam Blease had some very good moments kicking some nice goals including a lovely left foot snap in the second term. Neville Jetta off in the last with what appeared an ankle injury. Jai Sheahan showed some promise with cool play in defence.

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14  4.3.27 5.5.35 9.8.62

Box Hill Hawks 2.3.15 4.4.28 7.7.49 8.7.55

Thanks KC.

Only stayed for 2 and a half quarters so here is my take of the proceedings. KC may need to adjust anything I have missed in the time I wasn't there.

Sam Blease- Gee personally find this guy frustrating. His highlights are exceptional kicked a magical goal on his left but far too many times skill and mental errors let him down. U turns into traffic and constantly missing targets on his preferred foot are disappointing. He loiters around the back like a designated kicker so it isn't good enough to miss simple kicks. Doesn't work hard enough around the ground sits on the fat side alot waiting for kicks but when he does a good thing its great. Can put his head over the footy and won some deserving frees today also.

Nev Jetta- Seems to have really really built up the upper body. Really looks fantastic and his base (quads, hamstrings) also alot bigger. Better frame meant he is alot stronger over the ball. Looks to be playing more of a backline position these days and made some good decisions today. That leg injury still seemed to be somewhat hampering him and was getting firm treatment as I left. Decent day but no real highlights.

James Strauss- Very good first up effort. Like KC said only played a half but had 8-10 touches playing on the Box Hill smalls and really looked solid. Far bigger frame than last year and tackling was a highlight for him today. Two excellent holding the ball decisions. Got crunched a few times and leg seemed to be fine... didn't notice any real running limp or whatever that had been previously mentioned at training. I think he may play next rounds NAB Cup.

Jordie Gysberts- Disappointing really. Coming back from injury but struggled to find much of it and decision were often rushed. Give him few weeks and I'm sure he'll be back into it. Certainly looks bigger both height and weight wise which is a good sign though.

Tom McDonald- Reasonable today from limited opportunities. Kicked a few good goals but his hands overhead leave a little to be desired. Not sure what position they are tailoring for him at AFL level.

Lucas Cook- Quiet today but didn't look out of place. Developing is the perfect word does some things really well but does get lead to ball on occasions. Signs are positive though.

Kelvin Lawrence- Was quiet from what I've seen. Genuinely also looks identical to Jetta too!

Thanks DL7 and KC

its great to get your impressions and insights.

Appreciate the summary guys. Thanks

Thanks and welcome back KC very much appreciated comments from old foe DL7.

,

keep the comments flowing....appreciated

Hopefully no injuries??

Thanks for the update KC and DL7

Great to hear that Strauss was in the thick of it, even if it was only for a half.

Will be interesting to see how Jetta fairs this year..

I was speaking with Nev Jetta's dad at Etihad. He said Nev had done ankle ligaments and would miss up to 10 weeks. He reckons he'd need an op. Long time for ligament damage, and I haven't heard of an op being necessary,

Strauss' comeback is fair dinkum unbelievable.

I was speaking with Nev Jetta's dad at Etihad. He said Nev had done ankle ligaments and would miss up to 10 weeks. He reckons he'd need an op. Long time for ligament damage, and I haven't heard of an op being necessary,

That's terrible news if true. Poor guy can't take a trick.

That's terrible news if true. Poor guy can't take a trick.

Gotta feel for the guy. I think from a team perspective it's not going to make a lot of difference, but Jetta has admirable qualities (toughness and work ethic), so on a personal level it's a shame.