Casey Scorpions News

[KC from Casey 6,617]

There's a comprehensive update on the Scorps' pre season on the Casey Scorpions website - CASEY SCORPIONS PRE SEASON UPDATE.

[old dee 22,946]

Thanks KC

[Roger Mellie 3,540]

There's a comprehensive update on the Scorps' pre season on the Casey Scorpions website - CASEY SCORPIONS PRE SEASON UPDATE.

Thanks KC

Looking at the signings to date, there are only 30 players listed. Is that it?

[old dee 22,946]

Thanks KC

Looking at the signings to date, there are only 30 players listed. Is that it?

Add 20+ from the MFC list = 50+ RM

[Roger Mellie 3,540]

Add 20+ from the MFC list = 50+ RM

Yes, just not much margin for error for 2 teams. Still I suppose they can make up the numbers with the development side with local leagues

[old dee 22,946]

Yes, just not much margin for error for 2 teams. Still I suppose they can make up the numbers with the development side with local leagues

Usually works ok till September RM

Then Casey is left holding the bag.

[Roger Mellie 3,540]

Thoroughly agree about leaving them in the lurch but my question was weather 30 was typical or light on for numbers compared to other years (possibly as a consequence).

[KC from Casey 6,617]

Thanks KC

Looking at the signings to date, there are only 30 players listed. Is that it?

I looked at last year's player list and I believe the number is 44 which covers the development league (old VFL reserves) team as well. I think the lists can be added to in the event of serious or long term injuries and the 23rd player rule also helps with numbers.

On top of that there are the players available from the aligned club's AFL list not selected to play for them on any given week.

Therefore the numbers should be adequate although we know that annually we seem to have problems with MFC player numbers available to represent Casey in finals.

[KC from Casey 6,617]

This week's local Cranbourne Leader has an article (no link available) that focusses on the changes over the off season at Casey and whilst it doesn't add a great deal of new information, it's nevertheless interesting. Highlights:-

■ the recent re-signing of captain Evan Panozza and rover Will Petropoulos -

Those were the final pieces in the jigsaw as far as our senior players go

~ Casey Scorpions general manager Matthew Young.

■ other significant regulars to have re-signed are Ricky Plummer, Jake Best, Panozza, Tim Smith, Mitch Gent and Nathan Page;

■ the most seasoned inclusions on the Casey list are former Demon Troy Davis and former Sandringham and Collingwood VFL midfielder Ricky Ferraro. Other recruits include Ed Morris, Nathan Paredes, Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power), Matt Rennie, Joseph West (Dandenong Stingrays), Daniel Welsh (Eastern Ranges) and ex-Stingray Ryan Morrison, who played in Narre Warren's senior premiership last year.

■ the Scorpions are expected to finalise their list this week and one or two players from their inaugural Alex Silvagni Development Academy are in contention for contracts.

■ the first pre-season hitout is on Saturday, March 8 at Casey Fields, after the AFL practice match between Melbourne and Hawthorn.

■ the Scorpions will also host games against Williamstown (March 15) and Port Melbourne (March 22).

■ the club is looking for a major jumper sponsor.

It was also good to see some of the Casey lads finding the footy at Thursday's MFC intraclub game.

[Dees2014 2,377]

Watching the inter club match on Thursday, and some of the Casey players (who by the way IMHO showed generally admirable commitment and seemed to have grasped our style of play well), it occurred to me that in the past there was very little link between the MFC gameplan and Casey's. I could say "how could you know because Neeld didn't have one?" which wasn't quite true - he had one, it was an inferior version of Collingwood five yeas ago!

Nevertheless, it begs the question should our VFL affiliate be a junior version of ourselves in this respect. I strongly feel it should, as we need our players not only training for it but playing it always in a game day situation. I get the feeling ( I might be wrong, as I have no direct evidence) that the powers that be at Casey guard their independence quite fiercely and only get entangled with us when we don't provide all our players come finals time.

If this is so, does it provide further reason for us to form our own VFL side, or fully take over Casey and have then play in the MFC strip and rename them "the Casey Demons". Further, given our connection to the NT, is there a case for us to have a subsidiary team in the NT league playing our gameplan. If it is good enough for Manchester City, why not us? After all, they are our major sponsor. Might even get us one of the powerful mining companies from up there on board as well.

Thoughts?

[Ted Lasso 16,928]

Absolutely the should imo.

[DeeSpencer 23,269]

Of course Casey should be playing the same game plan as us. The question is how do we make this happen. The Casey coach isn't listed as an MFC employee on our website. I'm sure in the past we've split the employment of the Casey coach so he can act as a go between the clubs. I'm also not sure what role if any our development coaches will have at Casey on match day. I know last year I think they tried to get the Casey and demons VFL guys training a session together each week but not sure if that will happen either.

I'd love to have our own VFL team but it's not a financial reality for us yet. Barring that then I'd like to have greater control of Casey so that we can get a shared game plan and shared development of our players. I'm not sure if that's a reality either.

I don't think we can just buy an NT team. 1 because there'd be little benefit in it. 2 because we can't afford it and 3. I'm not sure it would be allowed.

[old dee 22,946]

Thanks for the info KC

[DeeSpencer 23,269]

■ other significant regulars to have re-signed are Ricky Plummer, Jake Best, Panozza, Tim Smith, Mitch Gent and Nathan Page;

■ the most seasoned inclusions on the Casey list are former Demon Troy Davis and former Sandringham and Collingwood VFL midfielder Ricky Ferraro. Other recruits include Ed Morris, Nathan Paredes, Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power), Matt Rennie, Joseph West (Dandenong Stingrays), Daniel Welsh (Eastern Ranges) and ex-Stingray Ryan Morrison, who played in Narre Warren's senior premiership last year.

Good to have Panozza signed on gives them a leader and reliable key defender. Troy Davis also means a flexible tall capable of playing forward or back. They should have one of our senior rucks (likely Jamar at the start of the year) available, plus King, maybe a tall forward of quality like Fitzy or Hogan especially once Clark comes back and the likes of Georgiou or Pedersen in defense if we don't suffer injuries to key backs. That would be a start to a decent team.

My mail I've heard though is the scorps are light on for top experienced signings this year due to financial constraints so injuries to Melbourne guys will see them struggle. Especially in the midfield where last year Rodan, Magner and Couch gave them so much drive. They've been replaced by better players in Cross, Vince and Michie who will likely feature for Melbourne but in some ways at VFL level Rodan/Magner/Couch were likely better than young demon guys who miss the best 22 like Evans, Blease and Barry.

Of those senior Casey players returning without knowing a lot about them I think Gent is a senior midfielder but a lot of the others are more flanker types. I'd like to see Jake Best take his game to the midfield though this year. He's got pace and run that he used so well forward, stepping it up to midfield might help him get drafted.

Anyway it might be a young and fresh Casey side this year. If they gel early they might get some success. I'll be pretty keen to hear how the likes of Salem, Hunt, Harmes and King go at Casey. Plus it looks likely that Garland and Clark will make their return via Casey either in practice or real matches.

[Dees2014 2,377]

Of course Casey should be playing the same game plan as us. The question is how do we make this happen. The Casey coach isn't listed as an MFC employee on our website. I'm sure in the past we've split the employment of the Casey coach so he can act as a go between the clubs. I'm also not sure what role if any our development coaches will have at Casey on match day. I know last year I think they tried to get the Casey and demons VFL guys training a session together each week but not sure if that will happen either.

I'd love to have our own VFL team but it's not a financial reality for us yet. Barring that then I'd like to have greater control of Casey so that we can get a shared game plan and shared development of our players. I'm not sure if that's a reality either.

I don't think we can just buy an NT team. 1 because there'd be little benefit in it. 2 because we can't afford it and 3. I'm not sure it would be allowed.

Thanks Master. There is a lot in it for Casey in general to get closer to us. Most specifically for Casey Council who have bank rolled most of the development out there. I'm sure the MFC would pay a lot more attention to, and see value in Casey if they were more in sync with the MFC, particularly now we have an elite coach and are on the up.

I thought it was very interesting looking at Casey players on Thursday. Obviously they would want to impress AFL SCOUTS, BUT MANY of them had picked up the basics of the gameplan and executed very well. We need this totally across our Organisation. If I was facilitating this I would go not to the Casey board, but to the Council, and maybe make concessions about usage of the ground in return for making it into an MFC facility.

Increasingly AFL Melbourne based sides are committing to VFL reserves sides because they can control how players come from the reserves to the seniors. We should do the same

As far as NT is concerned, I suspect it would be revenue positive for us. If we went to the NT government and said we wanted to create a world first ie an AFL affiliated team in the territory, I think they would be all over us like a rash, and it would probably attract federal government funding (in fact my contacts in Canberra think it would create huge publicity nationally ( if it was done in the Manchester City context)) and there would be considerable federal funding to get it done.

It is worth examining at least. We need to think laterally in these thing, better than our opposition I believe.

[DeeSpencer 23,269]

Thanks Master. There is a lot in it for Casey in general to get closer to us. Most specifically for Casey Council who have bank rolled most of the development out there. I'm sure the MFC would pay a lot more attention to, and see value in Casey if they were more in sync with the MFC, particularly now we have an elite coach and are on the up.

I thought it was very interesting looking at Casey players on Thursday. Obviously they would want to impress AFL SCOUTS, BUT MANY of them had picked up the basics of the gameplan and executed very well. We need this totally across our Organisation. If I was facilitating this I would go not to the Casey board, but to the Council, and maybe make concessions about usage of the ground in return for making it into an MFC facility.

Increasingly AFL Melbourne based sides are committing to VFL reserves sides because they can control how players come from the reserves to the seniors. We should do the same

As far as NT is concerned, I suspect it would be revenue positive for us. If we went to the NT government and said we wanted to create a world first ie an AFL affiliated team in the territory, I think they would be all over us like a rash, and it would probably attract federal government funding (in fact my contacts in Canberra think it would create huge publicity nationally ( if it was done in the Manchester City context)) and there would be considerable federal funding to get it done.

It is worth examining at least. We need to think laterally in these thing, better than our opposition I believe.

We'd like more control in Casey but we need to provide them with valuable reason to give up the independence they keep. Realistically unless we've got the dollars to provide them in terms of paying players and running their club they have little incentive to join on to us. Better for them to suffer and stay independent than suffer and be dependent as well. Same thing goes for a reserves side, we don't have the cash to make it happen and we don't have facilities either I would say. If we provide a keen interest in the Casey players (drafting one every now and then wouldn't hurt but at least making sure Casey players get drafted), provide our coaching excellence in to the Casey system and our players commit when wearing the Casey jumper then Casey will return the favour by falling in line with our footballing principles. That's about the best hope we can ask for in the short term.

If we wanted to be based full time at Casey fields I think we could do it in a flash and the Casey council would be very supportive. They've already got the grounds and gym and together with some fundraising from the AFL, governments and councils to fund some sport science gear (?do they have cold pools and spas, bike room etc) all they'd need to build is enough office space for the footy department and admin. But it's windy, it's 30 minutes from anywhere at least if not more from where players actually want to live. Not to mention supporters, staff and other facilities such as medical specialists. St Kilda are struggling with Seaford and it's 30 minutes or less from Moorabbin. Casey is further again. I think it remains an option for a primary base but at the moment is best used as a secondary base.

Even if controlling a NT team generated revenue I couldn't see it as significant and any publicity would die off pretty quickly. Then we are busy controlling a team that no one cares about. It wouldn't help us draft players. It wouldn't help us develop our players. It would really be a largely unprofitable side project. Not to mention as I said before I don't think the AFL would be too keen to have mini franchises set up in NT league or anywhere else for that matter.

I'm all for thinking laterally but the other thing we need to do is keep the main focus on the basics. That was the first lesson from the Schwab era was it not? PJ's got a pretty simple plan - it's to spend as much money as he can get on coaching, developing, sports science, list management and recruiting. Everything else comes down the line from that.

[The Great Pretender 430]

I'm pretty sure that there's already a level of co-ordination between the Melbourne coaching group and Casey as that certainly existed last year with Rohan Welsh who remains Scorpions coach. Also, the current main article on their website is saying "club welcomes Melbourne Development Coach Brad Miller who will coach the VFL forwards."

It wouldn't be any other way given up to 20 Demons each week play for Casey.

[KC from Casey 6,617]

The Casey Scorpions have added four members of the inaugural Alex Silvagni Development Squad to their 2014 list - Jordan Symons (Traralgon), Joel Winderlich (Meeniyan-Dumbalk United), Luke Thwaites (Tarwin) and Tom Wyatt (Korumburra-Bena). These additions should just about finalise the Casey list for the year.

[KingDingAling 3,614]

The Casey Scorpions have added four members of the inaugural Alex Silvagni Development Squad to their 2014 list - Jordan Symons (Traralgon), Joel Winderlich (MDU), Luke Thwaites (Tarwin) and Tom Wyatt (Korumburra-Bena). These additions should just about finalise the Casey list for the year.

Symons might get a game in the main squad, I don't think the others will.

[Mister Ed 270]

Symons might get a game in the main squad, I don't think the others will.

You may or may not be right there but I like the concept. Here's hoping the Scorpions manage to pluck a player or two out of obscurity from this squad and better still, find a smokey for the Dees one day. Here's what it's about - From Casey to Fremantle, Scorpions new academy a testament to trailblazer Alex Silvagni

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

Casey Radio just sacked all of its paid employees. Apart from broadcasting one Casey finals game this year, they stopped doing games a couple of years ago.

Sad situation out Cranbourne way. Local council locked in controversy, footy club almost broke and now the local radio station.

What is the local council controversy? I am trying to do business with the City of Casey.

[KC from Casey 6,617]

Article on the Casey Scorpions in the local Leader newspaper:-

Long list of recruits for Casey Scorpions ahead of 2014 VFL season

Casey's 2014 recruits are: Ricky Ferraro (Bonbeach), Troy Davis (Melbourne), Ryan Morrison (Narre Warren), Edward Morris (Gippsland Power), Matthew Rennie (Dandenong Stingrays), Joseph Fisscher (Old Haileybury), Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power), Angus Scott (Dandenong Stingrays), James Davidson (Warragul), Luke Thwaites (Tarwin), David Delpapa (Scoresby), Gavin Pears (Rowville), Andrew Murray (Wonthaggi), Luke Collins (Montmorency), Nathaniel Paredes (Gippsland Power), Kelsey Currie (Upper Ferntree Gully), Jackson McDonald (Box Hill Hawks), Joel Winderlich (MDU), Joe West (Dandenong Stingrays), Tom Wyatt (Korumburra Bena), Calum Sheils (Warragul), Jordan Symons (Traralgon), Daniel Welsh (Eastern Ranges), Kayan Bundle (Traralgon).

[Whispering_Jack 28,021]

Article on the Casey Scorpions in the local Leader newspaper:-Long list of recruits for Casey Scorpions ahead of 2014 VFL season

Casey's 2014 recruits are: Ricky Ferraro (Bonbeach), Troy Davis (Melbourne), Ryan Morrison (Narre Warren), Edward Morris (Gippsland Power), Matthew Rennie (Dandenong Stingrays), Joseph Fisscher (Old Haileybury), Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power), Angus Scott (Dandenong Stingrays), James Davidson (Warragul), Luke Thwaites (Tarwin), David Delpapa (Scoresby), Gavin Pears (Rowville), Andrew Murray (Wonthaggi), Luke Collins (Montmorency), Nathaniel Paredes (Gippsland Power), Kelsey Currie (Upper Ferntree Gully), Jackson McDonald (Box Hill Hawks), Joel Winderlich (MDU), Joe West (Dandenong Stingrays), Tom Wyatt (Korumburra Bena), Calum Sheils (Warragul), Jordan Symons (Traralgon), Daniel Welsh (Eastern Ranges), Kayan Bundle (Traralgon).

Casey signings Kayan Bundle (Traralgon) and Andrew Murray (Wonthaggi) were involved in the AFLs Footy Means Business camp in Perth two weeks ago.

Along with other indigenous players they took part in cultural, educational and community activities, and played in a match with teams named after David Rodan and Aaron Davey.

This sounds like a terrific initiative and I hope both Bundle and Murray do well at the Scorpions.

I like the way the club is managing things in the aftermath of its financial crisis after the 2012 season. No big name signings but a lot of work in the local community and the region. Hopefully, it will translate into success on the field and support in terms of numbers at games.

[KC from Casey 6,617]

Evan Panozza has been appointed captain again for 2014. He will be supported by Mitch Gent as his vice captain with Will Petropoulos, Troy Davis, Nathan Page and Tim Smith making up the leadership group.

[KC from Casey 6,617]

Can't make it today because of other commitments but I'm sure some Dlanders will hang around at Casey to keep us apprised of the events of the Casey v Box Hill game. The Hawks are also reigning VFL premiers.

Unfortunately, I look like missing most of the first half of 2014 due to work so if there are any regular Casey goers who would like to fill in while I'm away, please PM Demonland or Whispering Jack.