Despite a few departures which are par for the course every year, the Casey Scorpions are looking far more settled than they were 12 months ago.

At that time, the club was staring in the face of extinction in the wake of the loss of poker machine licences, had no coach and concerns about keeping their playing list together.

Senior coach Rohan Welsh has been reappointed for the role in 2014 but gone from the list will be former skipper Kyle Matthews, vice captain Luke Tynan, ex-Magpie Danny Nicholls and Michael Riseley.

That's a large pile of experience but the club has been active in re-signing many of its younger guns who have come through the club's local areas and there will be an influx of this year's talent from the under 18s.

Some of the names won't be finalised until after this year's drafts but with an earlier date for the rookie draft, the club will have more time to work on its recruiting for next year.

Jake Best, the speedster who was such a revelation this year, is a good chance to be drafted but if not, is likely to be back with the Scorpions. One of 2013's big improvers is Mitch Gent who had also signed on again although he might be a rookie chance.

The Scorpions have launched a new initiative - an academy for local area youngsters - From Casey to Fremantle, Scorpions new academy a testament to trailblazer Alex Silvagni.

Recently delisted Demon Tom Couch has rejoined Collingwood while former players James Wall and Rian McGough have joined Richmond's stand alone VFL team.

Demon fans might recall Ryan Ferguson who once famously refused to be traded to Hawthorn in a deal which would have brought Brad Sewell to the club. He is transferring from West Adelaide to the now stand alone Williamstown.

Another name in the news that's well known to Demon fans is Nick Sautner who has been appointed CEO of the WA Football Commission.

Thankyou for the update KC

There were many weekends this year where keeping track of Casey games was infinitely more rewarding and interesting than Melbourne ones.

I'm hoping next year the Scorps will benefit from having a host of fully fit Demon players pushing hard for spots in the winning senior side

Thanks KC. Will be watching with Interest how the partnership is handled with Roos at the helm of the MFC. Great to see Welsh going around again, huge effort last year to have achieved so much, disappointing end again but great effort none the less.

It seems that without our partnership the Scorps could soon be facing finito . Just bite the bullet and call them the Casey Demons playing in our former Away jumper of white with large demon motif . The colours would closely match the defunct Springvale Football Club ( Scorpions ) which could be acknowledged in similar vein to Brisbane/Sydney with an " S.F.C. " on the upper reverse side of the jumper.

Luke Tynan and Danny Nicholls are reasonable losses where are they heading? Reliable defender and top midfielder.

And the other thing overlooked in Melbourne's trading period is that it's 4 mids in - Vince, Cross, Michie, Tyson but it's 4 mids Sylvia, Rodan, Couch and Magner out. That's 3 of Casey's best right there.

The upside for Casey will likely be that instead of Couch and Magner just going through the motions down there it will now be a mixture of guys like Evans, Matt Jones, Blease, Tapscott who should fill the Casey midfield. It might be more up and down without reliable veteran VFL performers but also has good up side. Casey will benefit from true pressure for spots.

And currently 1 or 2 very good VFL rucks in Jamar/Gawn/Spencer and guys like Pedersen and Fitzpatrick sit outside the Melbourne best 22. Not so much depth without VFL stalwarts like Sellar, Gillies and Davis but again a good opportunity for young kids be they from Casey or Melbourne to hold down key position spots.

I think young guys fresh out of TAC in the last few years should see Casey as a tremendous opportunity to get senior VFL games with the chance of Paul Roos watching.

I'd almost be surprised if one of Melbourne's first 3 picks goes for a mature ager given Jason Taylor has said the state league talent has been thinned out a bit but to counter that I'd expect at least 1 of the rookie spots in a shallow draft might be used on mature aged type and that will be good news for Casey!

It seems that without our partnership the Scorps could soon be facing finito . Just bite the bullet and call them the Casey Demons playing in our former Away jumper of white with large demon motif . The colours would closely match the defunct Springvale Football Club ( Scorpions ) which could be acknowledged in similar vein to Brisbane/Sydney with an " S.F.C. " on the upper reverse side of the jumper.

Good idea. A sort of half way to having our own VFL team.

F#ck the City of Casey and the whole string of fake highway towns out to the coast.

End this dud deal now.

Politely scrap any reference to Berwick and surrounds and the deal made with them.

Our players do not want to be driving there for any reason at all. ever.

Operating out of Victoria's version of the Gobi Desert was always a dud idea. WTF would go there?.

Cut all ties with that part of the world and set up a team and training facility etc in a far more civilised locale. Just a suggestion but er .... a place like ... say Romsey comes to mind.

Where's Romsey?

In the Gibson Desert?

Operating out of Victoria's version of the Gobi Desert was always a dud idea. WTF would go there?.

Cut all ties with that part of the world and set up a team and training facility etc in a far more civilised locale. Just a suggestion but er .... a place like ... say Romsey comes to mind.

I hear people say Romsey is full of deviants ,sheep f%&kers and worse.

Like St Kilda with trees.

Is this true?

Where's Romsey?

In the Gibson Desert?

maybe the Gisborne one

BBO you do know that anyone can walk to anywhere within Victoria in a day or two.

I hear people say Romsey is full of deviants ,sheep f%&kers and worse.

Like St Kilda with trees.

Is this true?

Well ...er.. trueish. The comment about the sheep is rather insulting though - they are rather unimaginative creatures after all. And, as to deviants, I like to think it is a better scrubbed class of deviant. Certainly a world apart from those that frequent the Gat.

Anyway a big "swap Meet" in Romsey today - I'm off!

Well ...er.. trueish. The comment about the sheep is rather insulting though - they are rather unimaginative creatures after all. And, as to deviants, I like to think it is a better scrubbed class of deviant. Certainly a world apart from those that frequent the Gat.

Anyway a big "swap Meet" in Romsey today - I'm off!

Make sure to wash your purchases in disinfectant.

FYI-the last swap meet held at the Gat was a dismal failure.

However, there are still several flatscreen tvs and 3 dozen blow up Justin Beiber dolls still for sale.

Where is this Gat?

and why is it such a horrible place?

all the news on the gat

Operating out of Victoria's version of the Gobi Desert was always a dud idea. WTF would go there?.

Cut all ties with that part of the world and set up a team and training facility etc in a far more civilised locale. Just a suggestion but er .... a place like ... say Romsey comes to mind.

The Punt Road Oval seems a good spot. Perhaps Richmond mightn't mind if we built our own Red & Blue Social Club opposite their stand, after all we have let them play games on our Ground (the MCG) for the last few decades, even if both grounds are in the City of Melbourne? If they don't want to share, maybe they can relocate in their Richmond heartland at Kevin Barker Oval and leave the Punt Road facility to us, it would look much more attractive with a decent coat of Red & Blue paint!

Edited November 10, 201311 yr by CBDees

It's not surprising to see some of these guys leave, the Casey team this year was crowded out by a lot of AFL players, would make it difficult to create a team feeling I would think.

Edited November 10, 201311 yr by w00dy

The Punt Road Oval seems a good spot. Perhaps Richmond mightn't mind if we built our own Red & Blue Social Club opposite their stand, after all we have let them play games on our Ground (the MCG) for the last few decades, even if both grounds are in the City of Melbourne? If they don't want to share, maybe they can relocate in their Richmond heartland at Kevin Barker Oval and leave the Punt Road facility to us, it would look much more attractive with a decent coat of Red & Blue paint!

Everything looks better in Red and Blue

Where's Romsey?

In the Gibson Desert?

It's a little west of Darraweit Guim.

The Punt Road Oval seems a good spot. Perhaps Richmond mightn't mind if we built our own Red & Blue Social Club opposite their stand, after all we have let them play games on our Ground (the MCG) for the last few decades, even if both grounds are in the City of Melbourne? If they don't want to share, maybe they can relocate in their Richmond heartland at Kevin Barker Oval and leave the Punt Road facility to us, it would look much more attractive with a decent coat of Red & Blue paint!

We should take Punt Rd Oval back, I mean it's not our fault they built it on the wrong side of the road.

all the news on the gat

DC, I still not sure can you show me on this map of Australia where the Gat is?

it's precise location is in that area marked desert

hth

it's precise location is in that area marked desert

hth

Thanks for that.

I did also notce that Victoria how has the Opera House as well.

Is there nothing you guys will have?

LOL

Paul Amy of Leader Newspapers is tweeting that the Casey Scorpions have secured rugged ex-Sandringham and Collingwood VFL onballer Ricky Ferraro who played for Bonbeach this year. Says he's a handy pick up.