PRACTICE MATCH: CASEY SCORPIONS v PORT MELBOURNE

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Went to Casey with a fellow Demonlander I had never met. Again, a great venue for these kind of matches. Port supporters quite spiteful, banging on about 'tankers'. Small beer though.

Jordy a class above most of his teammates, and ...not scrappy, but uses the ball well. This folk legend may be true at AFL level but certainly sets up play well today. Sam Blease classy as well and still putting on the after burners. Hadn't seen Viney actually getting the pill before today but this game was enough to put down the glasses, this guy gets his own pill and takes it with him. Very, very happy with this draft choice. Mitch got no delivery from the midfield and looked good with a few half-chances. Did his party trick of flying one handed on several occasions. He took one very good mark in the first quarter from a one-handed stop which he marked with the other hand. i think that was his goal.

Trenners did some good link work but didn't really see him do a lot. Mitch and Trenners went off a few minutes before stumps, Mitch in bare feet over the concrete with a small ice bag in one hand, precautionary no doubt. Casey's new coach, Rohan Welch is a meaner dude than Brett Lovett! I bet he will ark up. Always impressed with the analysis that goes on in the line groups at 1/4 and 3/4 time. First, between the players then the line coaches. Was played in a practise match mindset , noone appeared too down with the result. Despite the result, another good day out at Casey Fields.

You must've consumed quite an amount of alcohol bud... You ok?

[Demonland 73,163]

HITTING THE WALL by KC from Casey

VFL power house, Port Melbourne handed out a football lesson to the Casey Scorpions in their practice match yesterday.

Smarting from their defeat at the hands of Geelong in last year's grand final, the Borough have produced another experienced list and covered their losses with the addition of some quality VFL recruits. Casey, on the other hand, has focussed on recruiting local talent, and despite the inclusion of some AFL names (a few of who were underdone and playing to regain some match fitness), it put a very young, less experienced and lighter bodied team out on the ground and was monstered physically by the Borough whose nine goals to two second quarter was outstanding and paved the way for its 64 point victory.

To compound matters for the home side, Casey missed the run of Michael Riseley and Victoria VFL Academy member, Brayden Fowler, a tall key position player who would have been handy against the height and strength of the visitors. The loss of ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick who copped a heavy knock to the face in the third quarter didn't help either but, by then the damage was done and Port was in full flight.

Most of the excitement from a Casey point of view came in the first quarter when the Scorpions dominated play with the aid of the breeze but spoiled it all with a one minute lapse late in the term which allowed Port to snaffle two quick goals, a forerunner to the carnage of the second term. There was a melee at the quarter time break which kept the fans on their toes, during which young Demon Dean Kent, had his number taken.

Father-son recruit Jack Viney was a shining light in the game and was his team's best but the Scorpions struggled for most of the day against a well drilled Port outfit. Recruits Ben Hughes (who kicked the first two goals), Michael Boland and Jake Best showed out at times but, on the whole, it was a disappointing effort from the team which will present some challenges this year for new coach Rohan Welsh.

However, the game should not be considered a great guide for the season given the lack of preparation most of the Demon contingent had coming into the game.

Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.5.35 7.8.50 8.14.62

Port Melbourne 2.3.15 11.5.71 16.8.104 19.12.126

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Earlier in the week, 14 Demons were named in the possible squad for this game but in the end, only nine took part.

Dominic Barry - didn't play. Will spend most of the season in the VFL.

Sam Blease - first game up after incurring an ankle injury in NAB Cup 1. Flashed in and out of the play but really needs another run before he can step up to AFL level.

Mitch Clark - the big test will come this morning. If he's pulled up well then he should play against Port next week because, although he was a bit rusty, he moved freely. He was even given a run further down the ground at one stage. Kicked only one goal but the delivery from downfield was nothing short of abysmal.

Mitchell Clisby - had a few moments but is just settling into a new environment at present.

Jack Fitzpatrick - didn't do a great deal to impress as a ruckman where he was out bodied by a bigger opponent and I think he's more suited to a forward pocket. Took a hit in the face in the third quarter and was taken off for the rest of the game.

Dean Kent - did a couple of nice things. Reported during the melee.

Tom McDonald - did not play which probably rules him out of a return for the Demons next week.

Jordie McKenzie - got a bit of the ball in close and, apart from kicking into the mark early on, his disposal wasn't too bad.

Nathan Stark - didn't play.

James Strauss - didn't play.

Rory Taggert - did a few nice things and kicked a goal but still early in his comeback given his injury and the time out of the game.

Jack Trengove - took a great mark early on but otherwise just drifted through the game without imposing himself. Needs another run at this level.

Josh Tynan - didn't play.

Jack Viney - in everything in the middle and is almost certain to make his long-awaited debut for Melbourne against Port Adelaide on the MCG next Sunday.

[bush demon 2,062]

You must've consumed quite an amount of alcohol bud... You ok?

One Cascade Light, $4.00. No catty comments, now.

[dazzledavey36 55,361]

To the guys that went to any of you guys notice former demon danny hughes playing for them?

[waynewussell 6,242]

No Dazzle, didn't notice him. He was on their team sheet, No 27 I think.

Edited March 24, 2013 by waynewussell

[Paul Gardner 6]

RND - 1 my squad

Starting Defenders: Jetta, Dunn, Frawley, Garland, Watts, Gillies.......

Starting Midfielders: Nicholson, Grimes, Viney........

Starting Ruck: Jamar Sylvia Jones.......

Forwards: Clarke/Sellar, Dawes/Pederson, Howe, Byrnes, Kent, Davey........

Rodan McKenzie Terlich Pederson - - - - Blease Toumpas Trengove

b: Jetta, Frawley, Garland

hb: Dunn, Gillies, Watts

cl: Nicholson, Sylvia, Viney

hf: Howe, Dawes/Pederson, Kent

ff: Davey, Clarke/Sellar, Byrnes

r: Jamar Sylvia Jones

[olisik 4,060]

RND - 1 my squad

Starting Defenders: Jetta, Dunn, Frawley, Garland, Watts, Gillies.......

Starting Midfielders: Nicholson, Grimes, Viney........

Starting Ruck: Jamar Sylvia Jones.......

Forwards: Clarke/Sellar, Dawes/Pederson, Howe, Byrnes, Kent, Davey........

Rodan McKenzie Terlich Pederson - - - - Blease Toumpas Trengove

b: Jetta, Frawley, Garland

hb: Dunn, Gillies, Watts

cl: Nicholson, Sylvia, Viney

hf: Howe, Dawes/Pederson, Kent

ff: Davey, Clarke/Sellar, Byrnes

r: Jamar Sylvia Jones

Is T Mac still injured?

I would be hesitant on playing Davey before Blease and Nicholson on the wing.

[Fat Tony 5,273]

To the guys that went to any of you guys notice former demon danny hughes playing for them?

Hughes wore 20 for Port and played really well. He looks like an AFL player both in terms of coordination and physic.

Mark Neeld would have been concerned by how the demons went.

Viney was clearly our best and is certain to play this week. In saying that, I wasn't overly impressed by his game. He lacks penetration as a player and while I think he will eventually be a reasonable inside-ball winner at AFL level, his size is a real disadvantage in this regard.

McKenzie played a solid game. He is as courageous as they come, but I still cannot fathom how he got a three-year contract.

Clarke barely got near it and could do with another run in the VFL.

Kent didn't do much and didn't deserve a game.

Fitzpatrick still runs around aimlessly and lacks skill but is still worth persevering with given his athleticism.

Trengove didn’t do enough to play round 1 and hasn’t got any quicker since last year. (First run back I know.) His injury will make it hard to make a big stride forward this year IMO.

Bleese didn’t get much of the ball but looked sharp and might be an option as the sub this week.

Selectors face a difficult week given our lack of talent and the ordinary preseason of some of our better players. We should consider playing Jack Watts as a forward given Dawes and Clarke are so underdone.

[iv'a worn smith 1,979]

Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but after Saturday, I was flat out with work.

Some observations. i ventured out to Casey on Saturday, which is the first time for me for over 2 years. Initial impressions were that, the facilities at Casey have come along in leaps and bounds and there was a reasonable crowd there given it was ostensibly a VFL practice match.

From what I saw, Craig, Neeld, Misson and Viney snr were in attendance, with Grimes, Spencer and Tappy also there. Maybe a few others upstairs, but I could not see clearly. McLardy, Howcroft and Schwabby also there.

As others on here have said, Mitch, Jack T and Blease were well short of a gallop. Blease was good in patches, but needs to build his engine. Jack T did a couple of nice things early, but barely got a touch after that. Out of that trio and while clearly he lacks a considerable amount of match conditioning, Mitch impressed me the most. His timing was out, but he had a red hot go and was prepared to put his body on the line. There was a collective gasp when Mitch flew for one in the forward line and fell backwards. Not sure how a line coach can do it, but someone should look at his technique, as it is fraught with danger. Maybe Howe should have a word and work with him on the jumping bags.

I have to make special mention on Jack V. I am rapt with his attitude. In and under, hard at it and as others have mentioned, unlike his old man, he can kick the footy and find targets. He came in for particular attention from several Port players and gave as good as he got and some.

As for the others, Jordie Mc is all heart, he never gives up, always looking to lay a tackle and never stops talking to his team mates. But he has to be like that as he lacks the skills to be a true A-Grader. I suspect with more class around him, he will continue to shine. I was rapt with Taggert. He has certainly bulked up and has a red hot go. Again, I reckon with his attitude and with the right players around him, he can progress to a useful utility.

My major disappointment was Fitzpatrick. He appears so laconic to the point of being disinterested. Although he copped a whack in the eye - and I later heard the physio say he had concussion, he now has a size about him he should use, but it is he who gets monstored by the opposition.

Lastly, it was interesting to note that Misson was directing most of the rotations. From that perspective and for those who are thinking of getting the razor blades out due to the result, it was clear from behind the coaches box, that this game was nothing more than a vehicle for getting some yards into the legs of the MFC players considered to be underdone. There was never any concern shown about the scoreboard.

Add to that, Port are a very well drilled unit with older bodies in the main. The core of Casey's VFL list, if what we saw on Saturday is to be any indication, lacks height and body size and appears to be particularly young. The other thing to consider, which may rate a thread on its own, is that while Port is not an AFL seconds side, they stand alone and therefore do as they please in terms of recruiting and team structures. While in reverse, clearly they show the benefit of a long tradition of achievement, standing and playing, without restrictions.

I reckon, in the not too distant future, all AFL clubs based in Melbourne will have to bite the bullet and consider reverting back to having "reserve" sides.

[CHAMP 347]

Re the Kent Report, does anyone know when the VFL MRP sits? Is there a MRP in fact?

Am I correct in assuming that a VFL suspension precludes Dean from AFL footy?