Lets remember Casey Scorpions only came into existence in 2006 after originally being the Springvale Football Club "The Scorpions" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Scorpions. I'd be curious to know how many of the diehard Springvale supporters kept supporting with the move to Casey Fields. Frankly all I'm interested in is that our young players develop and push for selection.

not having a go at Rohan Welsh at all. I hope is a great coach and a good bloke.

I don't like how he is employed. It is not professional.

On this i think we agree.

I guess neither of us know what part-time actually means in terms of hours on the job etc and - depending on the exact roles of our Development Coaches - it may be fine , but, yes, I am also concerned that we haven't got a full-time coach dedicated to our "reserves team"

Purely from a Melbourne standpoint this is fine. Shows we're moving in a no nonsense direction and (finally) exerting our influence over what is in our interest. As WJ suggests it mightnt make Scorpions all warm and fuzzy, well welcome to your new reality; it's us or bust, our way or the Sth Gippy Hwy !!!!

I'm not sure you can read much into this announcement. Anyone can make a diplomatic reference to young Melbourne- listed players - just asanyone else can make a diplomatic reference to the welfare of Scorpions listed players. The fact that a new coach has learnt the ropes with 17 and 18 year old kids doesn't mean that he is not going to coach with his eye firmly on the ladder for 2013.

I am pleased we have a coach with a good record with young players. Whether or not the alignment is now stable with Melbourne in the driving seat is something else again.

As I have said above, I would be more comfortable if he was full-time. Word is that last year we bent over backwards to persuade Brett Lovett to come on board full-time - presumably because we thought the role needed it. The fact that we have again had to settle for a part-timer suggests that the arrangement is less than ideal. It doesn't sit well with our stated aim of being "elite" in all that we do.

Good luck Rohan. I trust that if anything has to give from time to time - it will be your other job!

Well...purely conjecture...but

My take is it took a while to land a coach purely because what WE saw as needs and desired qualities and what possibly Casey saw as theirs werent quite on teh same page.

i note that the coach chosen has distinct experience with younger players and development strategies. Now wouldnt that be EXACTLY what wed look for as a club in a Junior development coach ? Casey might have looked to a more VFL style experienced bloke.One whos priorities might have been finals and glory for Casey.

Can you see the difference ??

Who have they got ?? So im guessing we wont that battle. Just my take on it I know

I can't help but feel for KC reading this thread. He is a person who puts a lot into this site with his Casey updates and game day previews and reviews.

There are too many cut throat doomsayers here saying the MFC needs to take over of the Scorpions but what is left behind is passionate supporters at Casey. I want a win/win situation in which the Casey Scorpions thrive in the VFL and the MFC have a stand alone team playing at the same ground. That's the best outcome I feel everyone should support.

Casey may resemble a carcass with its financial situation, it does not need DL's feeding off it.

You don't have to feel sorry for me Demonsterative. I'm excited about the future for the Casey Scorpions because of the excellent groundwork laid by Brett Lovett over the past twelve months after the departure of a number of "name" players at the end of 2011. Lovett gave many young local kids their chances at the club and they really kicked on during the season. I thought a few might even be lost to the rookie draft (e.g. Riseley, Smith, L. Tynan) but it looks like they'll be back next year along with a few other impressive youngsters who got their chances during the season. Having a coach with good development credentials is going to help these players as it would help those up and coming young Demons.

Its not that I feel sorry for you KC, as a Dee supporter I understand your passion to a struggling club and I respect your contributions to this site.I hope this continues despite the comments on here. No-one should experience the death of a club and i have many Fitzroy supporter friends who have gone thru this experience.

All power to Casey and I hope they get the funds to build the pokies venue, and financial security. While the alignment continues I hope the relationship with the MFC remains strong. I for one was disappointed the way my club handled the last two finals campaigns. I would have thought finals experience would enhance the development of Demon players. The MFC club was wrong to derail Casey's finals experience.

I also agree Casey has has overcome many difficulties and have pulled way above their weight. Kudos to Casey

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/localfooty/casey-scorpions-sign-rohan-welsh-as-new-senior-coach/story-fn53khop-1226539438201'>Casey Scorpions sign Rohan Welsh as new senior coach

As coach of the last four Vic Metro squads, Welsh would have had a few young Demons under his wing including young Voldemort back in 2009.

Well, one player who Casey will miss in 2013 due to his purchase of a banned supplement trying to lose weight. I reckon he might have been unlucky because his motive wasn't sinister but it's probably a warning to professional athletes not to be so careless.

Twitter:

"Casey Scorpions Wade Lees has copped a 18 month ban from the ASADA over a fat burning product he never even received. Wade can not play until season 2014."

Lees suffered a facial injury early in the season in the same game when Jack Viney and Jordan Gysberts had their jaws broken.

Casey Scorpions sign Rohan Welsh as new senior coach

As coach of the last four Vic Metro squads, Welsh would have had a few young Demons under his wing including young Voldemort back in 2009.

I hope he has washed under his wings .

Well, one player who Casey will miss in 2013 due to his purchase of a banned supplement trying to lose weight. I reckon he might have been unlucky because his motive wasn't sinister but it's probably a warning to professional athletes not to be so careless.

Twitter:

"Casey Scorpions Wade Lees has copped a 18 month ban from the ASADA over a fat burning product he never even received. Wade can not play until season 2014."

Lees suffered a facial injury early in the season in the same game when Jack Viney and Jordan Gysberts had their jaws broken.

This is really sad and I would have thought 12 months would have been more appropriate.

Well, one player who Casey will miss in 2013 due to his purchase of a banned supplement trying to lose weight. I reckon he might have been unlucky because his motive wasn't sinister but it's probably a warning to professional athletes not to be so careless.

Twitter:

"Casey Scorpions Wade Lees has copped a 18 month ban from the ASADA over a fat burning product he never even received. Wade can not play until season 2014."

Lees suffered a facial injury early in the season in the same game when Jack Viney and Jordan Gysberts had their jaws broken.

How can he be suspended for ordering some thing he did not take?

Did he test positive; it doesn't sound like it?

Some thing fishy here.

ASADA once again smashes the little fish in attempts to scare bigger fish.

Warnie took a similar drug and got less.

He, of course, blamed his mum.

So there's a lesson for us all (eye roll)

The situation is explained in this article - VFL player Wade Lees cops 18-month ban for importing performance-enhancing drugs

I understand the need for authorities to be strict about such matters in order to identify drug cheats in sport and it's clear that Lees was probably careless in ordering such a product in these circumstances but ... the punishment seems excessive particularly in view of the fact he didn't even get the substance or use it and, as he rightly points out, there's little the VFL does in terms of educating its players on these matters.

I think it would be punishment enough that he's "served" some time already and spent thousands attempting to clear his name. If I'm not mistaken, Shane Warne was given a lighter penalty when he actually was found to have used a not too dissimilar banned substance and he was an international sportsman who should have known better.

Lees is just 24 so presumably was 22 when the "offence" took place.

For heaven's sake, this penalty is absolutely outrageous and I hope he appeals and wins his case.

What I don't understand is how a kid can get rubbed out for virtually two whole seasons when he hasn't even used the substance while others with 2 strikes can run around unaffected and without sanction?

What I don't understand is how a kid can get rubbed out for virtually two whole seasons when he hasn't even used the substance while others with 2 strikes can run around unaffected and without sanction?

don't confuse this with the illicit "recreational" three strikes drugs

this was under the "performance enhancing" drug testing - different beast

did seem severe given he didn't take them and depending on whether you believe him that he took them for weight control and didn't know they contained small doses of a proscribed substance

also take into account that he was in the vfl as a semi-professional where the the drug education is minimal

12 months would have been fair and he could be playing sometime in 2013

he can of course appeal the sentence but it will cost him and he's already down $13k i think